Flood Recovery

• WWU SBDC Business Disaster Recovery Quick Reference Guide
  • This brief guide was developed by WWU SBDC advisors.
• Become a WWU SBDC Client
  • Sign up for no-cost business advising with the WWU SBDC for one-on-one assistance.
• Disaster Recovery Toolkit
  • A guide for recovery in the days immediately following a disaster, provided by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation in conjunction with CPA Australia. This guide contains templates to help document losses and determine next steps for your business.
• 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.
• 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. In certain situations, they can grant relief of charges to taxable employers. If you think you qualify for relief of benefit charges, send a request in writing. 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. Employees may be eligible to receive partial unemployment to help bridge the gap in pay. Learn how to apply for SharedWork.
  • Help for impacted workers
    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 about:
    • Temporary layoffs: If a business is closed due to the disaster, Employment Security can ensure employees receive unemployment benefits and reduce the financial burden on employers.
    • Standby: Individuals and employers impacted by a natural disaster can request to be placed on standby.
  • Help fight disaster scams and fraud
    • Disasters are notorious for attracting scams and frauds. You can help by carefully reviewing information that is shared with you whenever workers apply for benefits. 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. 
       

Financial Assistance

• WECU Flood Relief Support Assistance
  • WECU's Flood Relief Assistance Program is designed to help individuals and businesses impacted by recent flooding. They are offering free skip-a-pay, loan extensions and interest-only options, flood relief assistance loans, and more. These options are available to members and non-members.
• 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

• Community Food Co-op Farm Fund Flood Response Grant
• 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
  • (360) 676-6681 

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

• Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group

Monetary Donations

• 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.