In Whatcom County, Gov. Ferguson talks flood damage, recovery with local leaders

By Julia Hawkins

Updated December 18, 2025 12:11 PM

2025 Whatcom County flooding

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Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson visited Whatcom County on Wednesday to survey flooding damage and meet with city leaders. He called the sight of the damage in Sumas and Everson “sobering.”

“This natural disaster is extremely significant. It’s historic in nature, and we are treating it as such,” Ferguson said.

During the early-December rain and flooding, 100,000 people across the state were ordered to evacuate from their homes, according to NPR. Now the affected communities are left in the aftermath of floods and landslides.

The federal government has issued a declaration of emergency for Washington. However, Ferguson said the fund is for “very short-term needs,” including clearing debris and roads. The Washington State Department of Transportation has cleared more than 60 highways, Ferguson said.

“We are doing everything we can to move resources as quickly as possible to individuals,” Ferguson said.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson discusses flood relief efforts at the Whatcom County Emergency Management building on Dec. 17, 2025 Julia Hawkins The Bellingham Herald

For a long-term solution, the state legislature will be requesting disaster relief from the federal government. The state will have to meet certain requirements, including the scope of the challenge exceeding the capacity.

Communities have been showing up for one another through donation and volunteer opportunities in the affected counties. Ferguson called the efforts “inspiring.”

“The last week has been so challenging for so many people. It takes an all-hands-on deck approach [to recover] and I know we have the community to do that,” state Rep. Joe Timmons said.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, left, addresses Whatcom County Emergency Operations Center personnel and local government leaders in Bellingham on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Whatcom County Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

The state’s levees are extremely stressed, Ferguson said. A levee is man-made infrastructure, meant to control water levels and prevent water from going into unwanted areas. A failure in levees can cause a flash flood, as seen Dec. 16 in Snohomish County.

Ferguson warned that the worst of this tragic event may not be over.

“We are not out of woods of this thing, not by any means,” he said.

This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 5:20 AM with the headline "In Whatcom County, Gov. Ferguson talks flood damage, recovery with local leaders."