Washington State Flood Disaster Assistance Opens; Whatcom and Skagit Still Waiting

OLYMPIA — Washington residents in Whatcom and Skagit counties can now apply for $2.5 million in state disaster assistance following December’s historic flooding, but officials confirm those counties remain behind King and Snohomish counties in access to in-person help.

Governor Bob Ferguson announced the opening of applications this week after issuing a statewide disaster declaration that unlocked $3.5 million in emergency funding. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has already distributed the first $1 million through Disaster Cash Assistance, delivering direct aid to more than 2,600 households over five days.

The need is greater and families have started setting up Go Fund Me pages as they wait.

State officials prioritized King and Snohomish counties for immediate in-person assistance, while Whatcom and Skagit residents must apply online or by phone until Disaster Assistance Centers open locally during the second week of January.

The funding targets immediate recovery needs, including temporary housing, small home repairs, and replacement of food lost during the flooding.

“While we continue working to secure federal assistance, this state funding helps families address urgent needs right now,” Ferguson said.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for Household Needs Grants, applicants must:

Live in King, Snohomish, Skagit, or Whatcom counties
Earn 80 percent or less of the area median income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Show that flooding between Dec. 5 and Dec. 22, 2025, destroyed or seriously damaged their primary residence, including water reaching first-floor electrical outlets

The state may expand eligibility to additional counties as damage assessments continue.

How residents can apply now

The state partnered with The Salvation Army to manage applications and disaster casework. Impacted residents must complete an Unmet Needs Assessment Form to begin the process.

Residents can apply:

Online at SAHelp.org
By phone at 833-719-4981
In person at a Disaster Assistance Center once locations open in their county

Submitting a form does not guarantee funding. After submission, a Salvation Army disaster case manager contacts applicants to verify damage, review documentation, and identify all available recovery resources, including state, federal, nonprofit, and donated aid.

Federal aid still pending

At the same time, Washington officials continue working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to complete joint preliminary damage assessments. If damage thresholds meet federal requirements, Ferguson may request a Major Disaster Declaration, which would unlock additional federal assistance for households, infrastructure, and public agencies across northwest Washington.

For now, Whatcom and Skagit residents can apply immediately but must wait longer than their counterparts farther south for face-to-face assistance.