Whatcom County households eligible to apply for $2.5 million of WA disaster aid
Whatcom County residents whose homes were damaged in the severe December flooding events are eligible to apply for $2.5 million in state assistance.
“While we work to apply for federal assistance to obtain more extensive relief, this flexible state funding will help people deal with their immediate in the aftermath of this crisis,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said in an announcement about the funding. “We are doing all we can to help our communities recover from this historic disaster.”
Those whose homes sustained flood damage are being asked to submit an ‘Unmet Needs Assessment Form’ through the Salvation Army online by visiting SAHelp.org and entering their zip code.
To be eligible for a Household Needs Grant residents must:
- Live in King, Snohomish, Skagit or Whatcom counties.
- Earn 80 percent or less of the area’s median gross income.
- Show that your primary residence was destroyed or severely damaged by flooding events Dec. 5-22, 2025.
Applications can also be submitted by phone at 833-719-4981 or in-person by visiting a Disaster Assistance Center in the county in which a resident lives.
The Disaster Assistance Center in Whatcom County is at Nooksack Valley Middle School at 404 W Columbia St. in Nooksack. It will be open on Saturday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, January 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
After applications are submitted, case managers will determine individual eligibility for Household Needs Grants, which can support recovery costs for things like short-term housing, small home repairs and food replacement, according to the Governor’s Office.
More eligible counties may be added as damage assessments are completed. This funding is part of the $3.5 million available through Governor Ferguson’s disaster declaration.
The first $1 million was distributed in the form of Disaster Cash Assistance to more than 2,600 households who needed it most, according to the Governor’s Office.
More information about recovery assistance, including how to replace food lost in the flooding that was purchased using food benefits, is available at floodrecovery.wa.gov.
For additional flood-related assistance and resources, visit www.whatcomcounty.us/4742/Flood-Related-Resources.
As of Dec. 30, Whatcom County had confirmed 550 households with reported flood damage. At least a few hundred more still needed to be confirmed, according to previous reporting by The Herald.
This story was originally published January 5, 2026 at 2:46 PM.
