Press Releases

Updates from Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish Counties:

Whatcom County 

Whatcom Unified Emergency Management is closely monitoring the evolving impacts of the current storm and anticipated Nooksack River flooding later tonight. County and city public works departments and the 911 dispatch center are receiving calls for flooded businesses and homes, flooded streets and small landslides. Crews are out clearing culverts, street drains, and addressing other flood related issues. Citizens can report non-hazardous flood related issues to the following numbers depending on your location:

City of Bellingham 778-7700
Whatcom County 676-6759

Call 911 to report hazardous flood related issues. Drivers should use extreme caution in driving through standing water and heed water over roadway and road closed signs.   

Skagit County 

The flood waters in Skagit County continue to recede, with a crest reading in Mount Vernon of 29.0 feet, at 4:00 p.m. yesterday. The crest in Concrete was measured at 31.2 feet at 11:20 p.m. last night. Therehas also been a slight reduction of flood water levels in the Samish River basin. A small staff at the Emergency Operations Center will continue to monitor the situation in both rivers. 

The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management requests that any residents whose property has been damaged fill out a  preliminary Damage Assessment form. This form can be found on Skagit County's website at www.skagitcounty.net. Residents can also have personnel at Emergency Management help fill out these forms by calling 360-428-3250. Normal hours of operation are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

There are still a number of road closures in the area. Updated road information can also be accessed on the County's website.

Additional information regarding steps that can be taken to assure personal safety and matters pertaining to health - during and after a flood event - are also on the County's website.

Snohomish County

Snohomish County's Emergency Operations Center dropped its activation to minimal levels after the last of the rivers crested today. At this point, Snohomish County turns its eyes toward recovery and begins collecting damage assessments for state and federal assistance consideration. Beginning tomorrow, the Department of Emergency Management will start taking damage assessments by telephone at 425-388-5088. 

Homeowners and business owners can call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to report damages. They should begin by documenting what damage has occurred (photos are best) and have an estimated cost of repairing damage or replacing damaged items. For additional information, visit the Snohomish County website at www.snoco.org. 

For Additional Information on the Flood:

Continue to check this website, my office will update it as we receive additional information