Flood Recovery
On April 11, 2026 Washington received a Major Disaster Declaration from President Trump. This opens the door to additional assistance for individuals and slightly increases the unsecured loan amounts available to businesses.
On February 26, 2026 the SBA made an agency disaster declaration which offers disaster assistance to Washington businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by the December floods.
- Businesses can apply for business physical damage loans. The posted deadline to return physical damage applications was April 27, 2026 but due to a grace period they are still accepting applications until August 9, 2026.
- SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses. The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 7, 2027.
- Visit sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 to apply.
A key step in recovery is documenting damages. This increases the odds of receiving recovery assistance. Complete the Whatcom County Business Damage Assessment Form to aid in this effort.*
*If you already completed a damage assessment form for your business prior to 12/19/25 you do not need to complete this form.
Stay tuned to this webpage for continued updates and resources related to flood recovery for your business.
For questions or assistance please call us at (360) 650-7232 or email at SBDC@wwu.edu
Updated 6/23/2026
Key Resources
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Small Business Recovery
- Resources to help re-open your business and navigate through long-term recovery.
- Whatcom Ready
- Updated alerts, preparedness guidance, and public safety information.
- Hiring a Contractor | L&I Guidance
- Use this resource to learn how to verify a contractor so that you don't fall victim to contractor fraud.
- Become a WWU SBDC Client
- Sign up for no-cost business advising with the WWU SBDC for one-on-one assistance.
- Washington State Employment Security Department
- Help for impacted employers
- You may qualify for relief of benefit charges and a waiver of penalties from Employment Security following an emergency. Learn more on the Employment Security website about how and when to request relief.
- If you are late filing your quarterly report and payment due to a disaster, you may be entitled to have penalties waived. Learn how to follow the standard process for requesting a waiver.
- The SharedWork program can help you retain employees at reduced hours. Learn how to apply for SharedWork.
- Help for impacted workers
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to eligible workers, including self-employed people, who became unemployed due to the December 2025 floods but do not otherwise qualify for unemployment benefits.
- Employment Security can make allowances for workers who cannot get to their employer due to the floods. Visit their temporary layoffs and furloughs page to learn more.
- Help fight disaster scams and fraud
- Disasters are notorious for attracting scams and frauds. If you don’t recognize the claimant or what they’ve submitted in their application, please use Employment Security's fraud report form for employers.
- Disasters are notorious for attracting scams and frauds. If you don’t recognize the claimant or what they’ve submitted in their application, please use Employment Security's fraud report form for employers.
- Help for impacted employers
Financial Assistance
- SBA EIDL and Physical Disaster Loans
- Business owners can apply for physical disaster loans or Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the SBA.
- The deadline to return physical damage applications was April 27, but due to a grace period they are still accepting applications until August 9, 2026. The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 7, 2027.
- Peoples Bank Flood Assistance
- Peoples Bank is temporarily offering several programs to support families and businesses facing financial hardship or loss due to flooding in Pacific Northwest.
- WA Department of Revenue Disaster Relief for Taxpayers
- The Department of Revenue will work with businesses that cannot file or pay their taxes on time due to a natural disaster.
- Financial Resources and Recovery for Washingtonians | WA.gov
- $2.5M in WA State disaster assistance funds is available to assist Washington residents impacted by the flooding.
Farm Recovery
- Grants for Farms | Washington Farmland Trust
- Beginning January 20, Washington Farmland Trust will provide micro-grants to farmers ranging from $500-$5,000.
- Washington State Department of Agriculture | Flood Recovery Support for Farms
- USDA Disaster Assistance Programs
- FSA Disaster Program Availability
- USDA Farm Services Agency | Everson Service Center
- 914 Citadel Drive, Suite C Everson, WA 98247
- (360) 318-8121
- Cleanup Recovery Assistance | Whatcom Emergency Management
Arts Based Business Recovery
- Emergency Financial Assistance | Entertainment Community Fund
- Recovery Resources | MusiCares
- Emergency Relief Grants | Craft Emergency Relief Fund
- Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Relief | National Coalition for Arts Preparedness
Volunteer
Monetary Donations
- Community Food Co-op Farm Fund
- Community Food Co-op maintains its Farm Fund as a financial resource for the local farming community. It is funded through a portion of the Co-op’s annual budget, as well as by donations from members and shoppers. Due to the recent flooding events, they are redirecting all money to support the cleanup and rebuilding efforts of local farms.
- Whatcom Small Business Recovery Fund
- Whatcom Community Foundation Resilience Fund
- Whatcom Food and Farm Fund
- The Whatcom Food and Farms Fund was established to support Whatcom County farms impacted by flooding. This fund will provide flexible, responsive funding to Whatcom County farmers as they repair, rebuild and replant following flood damage.
- Donations for Flood Affected Farms | Washington Farmland Trust
- Washington Farmland Trust is accepting monetary donations to help farms recover from recent flood events.
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