WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster declaration approved April 7, 2026, was published on the Federal Register on April 16, 2026. This is the disaster declaration for the flooding and other weather-related damage that occurred in December 5-19, 2025. The declaration includes 10 counties, including Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish.
Whatcom County citizens can apply for Individual Assistance (IA) under this declaration. Assistance may include grants for temporary housing, home repairs and “Other Needs Assistance” for uninsured property losses.
The application deadlines for assistance are as follows:
- Physical damage: June 10, 2026
- Economic injury: January 7, 2027
This FEMA 2026 declaration differs from the FEMA declaration published following the November 2021 floods due to 2024 IA reforms.
Click for more information
Click for more information
Perhaps the most important change is the requirement to apply for and be rejected by the Small Business Administration (SBA) before receiving aid has been removed. Applicants can now access Other Needs Assistance without an SBA referral.
Other changes include the following.
- Serious Needs Assistance replaced Critical Needs Assistance
- lodging support changed from a reimbursement-based system in 2021 to upfront Displacement Assistance in 2026
- home repair coverage now includes pre-existing damage if repairs are necessary to make the home safe, sanitary and functional
The time it took to issue the declaration this year was about 123 days, compared with about 50 days in 2021. This leaves applicants with less time to complete the steps required to make their applications. The state formally requested Individual Assistance in January 2026.
In addition to the 2026 declaration, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds were released for the elevation of 16 properties in Sumas, Everson and Ferndale that were damaged in the 2021 flood disaster.
Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are scheduled for deployment.
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