Sumas, Nooksack flooding impacts northern Whatcom County; 16 rescued in Marietta
Significant flooding of the Nooksack River continued to impact cities in northern Whatcom County Sunday, Feb. 2., and the Marietta area was ordered evacuated at 4 a.m. due to rising water.
By 5 p.m. the Sumas Facebook page noted water levels were continuing to slowly drop around town. The city also plans a community cleanup day starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday if possible with water levels and weather. Volunteers are welcome.
A Sumas’ Facebook page post shortly before 11 a.m. said the city has received complaints about people “just driving around in the flood water for no other reason than to take pictures or videos.”
The city asked drivers to be respectful of flooded homes. “Every time you drive by there is a 1-foot ripple that goes on to someone’s house.... Please don’t make a hard situation tougher just so you can sightsee.”
Search and rescue crews in Marietta went house to house to ensure those who wanted to leave could, according to John Gargett, deputy director of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management. Sixteen people, 8 dogs and 1 cat have been evacuated and moved to shelters, Gargett said mid-day.
Water was expected to rise with the tides in Marietta until noon.
Ten to 15 water rescues were made in the Sumas, Nooksack and Everson areas, Gargett said.
A Red Cross shelter opened at the Cordata Presbyterian Church at 400 Meadowbrook Court in Bellingham.
More than 100 roads were closed due to water and debris, according to the county’s public safety briefing. You can check road closures online at the county’s website.
A flood warning continues for the Ferndale area as the Nooksack River continues to exceed its banks and levees, the county noted in its Sunday Emergency Management daily briefing.
The Nooksack crested in Ferndale at 20.91 feet at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, according to National Weather Service data. Flood stage there begins at 18 feet.
The Nooksack crested at Cedarville, near Nugents Corner, at 148.76 feet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, according to National Weather Service data. Flood stage there begins at 146.5 feet.
Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Lynden and Ferndale continued to experience local flooding Sunday, particularly in low-lying areas, fields and roadways, the briefing noted. Water continued to rise Sunday morning, mainly from Lynden south.
Both Slater Road and Marine Drive are expected to remain closed through Tuesday, the county noted.
While Bellingham and south Whatcom County remain dry and sunny, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Facebook page thanked the first responders working in the north.
“Whatcom County Search and Rescue, Sheriff’s Office Deputies, have been supporting the County-wide multi-jurisdictional response to the “Super Bowl Flood” for the last three days,” the post stated.
The event started at 3 a.m. with the mandatory evacuation order for Marietta and their “work will not end with the kick-off this afternoon. In fact, most agencies are still totally committed,” the post stated.
Sumas conditions
The county’s public safety briefing noted that Sumas will continue to have flood impacts through Sunday. Also:
▪ Sumas Advent Christian Church, 125 Front St., has been opened as a shelter.
▪ People are urged to stay out of floodwaters that can be contaminated.
▪ The Sumas border crossing is rerouting southbound traffic to alternate entry ports.
The city of Sumas posted an update at 7:30 a.m. on its Facebook page:
“We are starting to see a decrease in the flow of water on the outskirts of town. Our hope is that after a few more hours, the flooding in Sumas should finally reach its peak. We have lots of roads that are impassible by smaller and mid-size vehicles. These include parts of Cherry Street, Sumas Avenue and Lawson Street. Unless you absolutely need to, please shelter in place until the water levels start to drop later on this morning. Please keep in mind that the water you are walking through is dirty and unsanitary as you might imagine with free-flowing water. Contact city hall if you have any non-emergency questions.”
The National Weather Service forecast for Sumas Sunday night was for: “A chance of rain and snow showers before 1 a.m., then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Calm wind becoming east northeast 5 to 7 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.”
Lynden closures
According to the county’s public safety briefing:
▪ Water remains throughout lower Lynden.
▪ Badger Road is closed.
▪ Hannegan Road between Polinder Road and the Lynden city limits is closed.
▪ Slater Road is closed from La Bounty to Haxton roads as well as Imhoff and Ferndale roads. Lake Terrell Road is now the detour.
Get sandbags, report damage
▪ Whatcom County Public Works Department has a number to request sandbags, 360-778-6400, ext. 2.
▪ A non-emergency reporting line for residents and businesses to report effects of flooding is 360-788-5311.
Do you have photos or video of flooding in Whatcom County? Please upload them at bellinghamherald.com/submit-photo.
This story was originally published February 2, 2020 at 7:56 AM with the headline "Sumas, Nooksack flooding impacts northern Whatcom County; 16 rescued in Marietta."
