FEMA Releases $4M for Whatcom County Flood Relief

Funds will help elevate 16 homes above floodplain after 2021 atmospheric river disaster

Mar. 11, 2026 at 8:52pm

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The federal government has released nearly $4 million in funds through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to elevate 16 properties in Whatcom County, Washington that were damaged by devastating floods in November 2021. The grants were requested in 2022 as part of a program to raise homes and other buildings above the floodplain or buy out owners and raze properties.

Why it matters

The 2021 floods caused an estimated $150 million in damages across Whatcom County and left hundreds homeless. This funding is a critical step in helping the community recover and prepare for future disasters, as the region has seen multiple severe floods in recent years.

The details

The funds will be used to elevate 16 properties in the cities of Sumas, Ferndale, and Everson that were impacted by the 2021 floods. The grants were requested in 2022 through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which aims to protect buildings from future disasters by raising them above the floodplain or buying out properties altogether.

  • In November 2021, torrential rain from two powerful atmospheric rivers caused an estimated $150 million in damages across Whatcom County.
  • In 2022, the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group (Whatcom Strong) requested the FEMA grants to elevate homes and provide other flood relief assistance.
  • In March 2026, FEMA released the nearly $4 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to Whatcom County.

The players

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has released the grant funding to help Whatcom County residents elevate their homes and protect against future floods.

Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group (Whatcom Strong)

A local organization that has been helping to raise homes and provide other assistance to Whatcom County residents impacted by the 2021 floods.

Rep. Rick Larsen

A U.S. Representative from Washington's 2nd Congressional District, which includes Whatcom County, who has been critical of FEMA's disaster response and is leading bipartisan efforts to reform the agency.

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu

The county executive who praised the flood relief efforts of Washington's congressional delegation.

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What they’re saying

“This support is long overdue to communities impacted by the devastating floods in November 2021. I will keep fighting for federal dollars to help Northwest Washington communities recover from natural disasters and prepare for future disasters.”

— Rep. Rick Larsen

“I greatly appreciate the efforts made by Rep. Larsen as well as Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Murray. It has been a long and frustrating wait for our community members who have seen their homes flooded multiple times in recent years.”

— Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu

What’s next

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The takeaway

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