Flooding Emergency Declared

Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen  declared a state of emergency for Whatcom County late Tuesday night as a result of the heavy rain, warm temperatures and resulting rapid snow melt.  This situation has resulted in wide spread flooding impacting major transportation corridors and some homes and businesses throughout the county.

As a result, City of Bellingham and Whatcom County public safety and public works officials have opened a Joint Emergency Operations Center to deal with the current flood situation, as well as plan for a potential river flood situation later today into Thursday.

Some of the current issues being addressed include;

Whatcom County
Several road closures, including Mount Baker Highway at the 6400 Block and mile post 40.
Debris/landslides on Hillside Road and the end of Goodwin Road
A mudslide has damaged and closed the Lake Samish Market
A mudslide has hit a house in the 3600 block of Nelson Road
Bellingham
Iowa Street at I-5 is closed due to flooding.  Two businesses appear to have been impacted by minor flooding.
Northshore east of Britton Road closed by water over roadway
Overwhelmed sewers resulting in flooded basements
At this time we have no reports of any injuries related to this event.

City and County public works and public safety employees have been working all night to address the above issues and more.  Compounding this situation is the anticipated cresting of the Nooksack River above flood stage sometime later today/tonight.  As a result, officials will be working throughout the day, responding and planning for continued flood operations.

Officials ask for the public's patience as they work hard to address the many ongoing issues.  To help keep you safe, and help us respond to this event, it is important to;

Avoid driving through standing water
Watch out for workers in the roadway
Report landslides, flooded roadways or other hazards to the Joint Emergency Operations Center at 676-6681.

For information on what to do during and after a flood go to the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management web site http://www.whatcomcounty.us/dem/prepare/flood.jsp

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