Need flood assistance? Disaster Loan Outreach Centers open across WA

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) now has Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) open across Washington in response to the severe December 2025 floods that impacted thousands of families statewide.

SBA can offer disaster assistance loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters who have been impacted by flooding.

“The communities I represent need federal support to rebuild from the devastating floods in December,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) in a release about the loan offerings. “These loans are an important step in the disaster relief process, and I will keep fighting for more funds to help families and businesses in Northwest Washington make a full recovery.”

Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for up to $2 million in physical damage loans and to help repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets, according to SBA.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for up to $100,000 in home and personal property loans to help repair or replace belongings including clothing, furniture, appliances and cars. Homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage to support mitigation improvements to help protect against future disasters.

Eligible mitigation improvements include:

• Insulating pipes.
• Insulating walls and attics.
• Weather-stripping doors and windows.
• Installing storm windows.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and most private nonprofit organizations located in a declared disaster area and which have suffered substantial economic injury. It can be used to cover working capital needs, fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the flooding.

Interest rates can be as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits and 2.875% for homeowners and renters. Interest does not begin accruing, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement, according to SBA.

DLOCs are open in Auburn, Chehalis, Fall City, Sedro-Woolley, Snohomish and Sumas at the following locations:

• Auburn Library at 1102 Auburn Way S in Auburn. Open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Lewis County Courthouse Basement (East End), Room 023 at 351 NW North St. in Chehalis. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Fall City Library at 33415 SE 42nd Place in Fall City. Open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sedro-Woolley City Hall in the Municipal Training Room on the second Floor at 325 Metcalf St. in Sedro-Woolley. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Snohomish Library in the Big Study Room at 311 Maple Ave. in Snohomish. Open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and, beginning March 7, Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sumas Advent Christian Church at 125 Front St. in Sumas. Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome. Individuals can also schedule an in-person appointment in advance by visiting appointment.sba.gov. Customer service representatives at the DLOCs are available to answer questions and assist with the loan application process.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

The filing deadline to return physical property damage applications is April 27. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 24.

As a result of Washington’s December flooding, more than 100,000 people were under evacuation orders, 383 emergency rescues were conducted, one person died and almost 4,000 homes were damaged, according to a Jan. 21 report from Gov. Bob Ferguson that sought a federal disaster declaration from President Trump and $21.3 million in FEMA assistance for families.

Damage to Whatcom County businesses and government infrastructure alone has surpassed $23 million, including more than $2 million in repairs that must be made to roads, according to the county Public Works Department and the Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management.

A total of 1,248 homes were flooded in communities along the Nooksack River, from Maple Falls to the river delta in Lummi Nation.

This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 11:27 AM.

Rachel Showalter

The Bellingham Herald

360-715-2212

Rachel Showalter graduated Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2019 with a degree in journalism. She spent nearly four years working in radio, TV and broadcast on the West Coast of California before joining The Bellingham Herald in August 2022. She lives in Bellingham.