Whatcom, Lummi, Nooksack get federal disaster relief for flooding. Here’s what that allows
President Joe Biden declared parts of Washington state a major disaster area because of damage from the November flooding and other weather-related events that devastated parts of Whatcom County.
In a statement sent Wednesday, Jan. 5, Biden said the disaster declaration allows residents of Whatcom County and other affected regions — including Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Indian Tribe — to seek federal aid in the form of grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help residents and business owners.
Residents and business owners can apply for assistance by registering online or by calling 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 for TTY. Local information is available by calling the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management at 1360-676-6681.
Damage from flooding along the Nooksack River over several days in mid- to late November 2021 could reach $50 million, according to Whatcom County officials.
“This will supplement local recovery efforts with individual assistance and hazard mitigation funding from the historic flooding and storms that have caused the worst natural disaster since Whatcom County was formed as a County in 1864,” said John Gargett, deputy director of Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division Of Emergency Management, in an emailed statement.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee already designated Whatcom County as a disaster area for state funding purposes, and he asked Biden to approve federal aid.
“I met personally with many families who lost their homes and livelihoods,” Inslee said in an emailed statement. “The amount of help necessary to get these people back on their feet exceeds what the state can provide. I’m pleased President Biden recognized this and approved our request for this critical support.”
State Rep. Alicia Rule, a Blaine Democrat who represents the 42nd Legislative District, told The Bellingham Herald that she asked Inslee to tour the devastation in hope of speeding government action.
Rule and state Rep. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, both volunteered to help clear flood debris from homes and deliver food and supplies to displaced families in the hard-hit areas of Everson, Nooksack and Sumas, she said.
“My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced this tragedy,” Rule told The Herald.
Washington state members of Congress who represent Whatcom County — Democratic U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-1st District) and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-2nd District) — all praised the president’s action in a joint statement.
“I will keep fighting for bold climate action and critical investments that will build climate resilience to help protect our communities from increasingly extreme weather events. And I will always work to get families in Washington state the help they need to recover and rebuild after any natural disaster,” Murray said.
This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 10:51 AM.
