Residents who have experienced “damage due to heavy snow, freezing rain or subsequent flooding” during December’s weather events should submit reports to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management by Jan. 6.
The county will be using these reports to evaluate its need for aid from state and federal government in accordance with Whatcom County’s Emergency Proclamation. Those who experienced damage in multiple locations should fill out separate forms for each location.
Reports do not guarantee aid from state or federal government but help in the county’s request for aid. Damage reported through these forms from the November 2021 floods met the threshold for receiving both state and federal funds, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Deb Slater said in an email.
The damage assessment forms are the first step in the process of requesting aid and each of the reports filed count toward the state and federal assistance threshold, Slater said.
Damages being reported from the December 2022 storms are “mostly water-related (drywall and insulation damage from water, burst frozen water pipes and damaged electrical),” Slater said.
Increased wind, snowmelt, rain and king tides created the perfect storm for flooding over the holidays. Many in the region experienced power outages, and six Whatcom County residents were forced to evacuate their homes.
During the December storms, the Sheriff’s Office reached out to the American Red Cross which resulted in a temporary shelter for those displaced. Currently, the American Red Cross is providing direct services for those affected by weather damage, Slater said, and those affected can reach out to 1-800-733-2767.
The Sandy Point Board of Directors said Wednesday they are making repairs and removing debris that was created by the storm from the tide gates. The board has scheduled a meeting with the county to go over their responsibilities to maintaining ditches, roads, and more.
