Assistance centers are opening in western Washington so residents affected by the December flooding can apply for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). These centers are intended to support people who lost property or suffered damage because of the storm.
The December floods hit especially hard in towns located in low river valleys, such as Sumas, Sultan and Arlington. These communities sit in the Skagit and Stillaguamish river valleys, where rapid snowmelt and heavy winter rains prevent water from draining quickly and inundate residential areas. Unlike the hillier parts of the counties, such valleys act as natural “funnels” for floodwaters. The main climatic causes of winter flooding in King, Snohomish, Whatcom and Skagit counties are “atmospheric rivers” — powerful streams of moisture-laden air from the Pacific Ocean — and “rain on snow” events, when warm rain rapidly melts snow in the Cascade Mountains, sharply raising river levels. High tides in river estuaries also slow water outflow.
FEMA offers assistance for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of personal belongings and other disaster-related expenses. Those who have already applied for state aid can also apply to FEMA. The Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters. Unlike standard bank loans, these federal loans are issued at low interest rates (typically 2–4%) with long repayment terms up to 30 years and payment deferrals for the first 5–12 months. They do not require credit checks or collateral, and are available even to those who do not own a business.
Applications can be submitted online or by phone: for FEMA — (800) 621-3362; SBA loans — also through the internet. The deadline to apply to FEMA is June 10. Those who need help with applications or have questions about federal and state support should visit one of the centers, where specialists are available, including services for people with limited mobility, the hard of hearing and speakers of other languages.
In King County, a center opened Tuesday at the elections office building in Renton (919 S.W. Grady Way) and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Snohomish County has three centers: the Snohomish Library (311 Maple Ave.), the Volunteers of America Center in Sultan (617 First St.) and the Stillaguamish Valley Center in Arlington (18308 Smokey Point Blvd.). Hours can be confirmed at st.news/snoco.
In Whatcom County, a center opens in Sumas at Sumas Advent Christian Church (125 Front St.) on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Skagit County, two centers will be open 4–7 p.m. Wednesday–Friday and 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday: in Burlington (900 E. Fairhaven Dr., Parks and Recreation) and in Hamilton (584 Maple St.). They will open May 7 and close on the 9th, and then be available again on June 6.
In addition to flood recovery assistance, the SBA reminds that small businesses and private nonprofit organizations can apply for low-interest loans to cover losses from the drought that began July 29, 2025. The deadline to apply is May 26, with a 60-day grace period. Loans up to $2 million at 4% for businesses and 3.625% for nonprofit organizations can be used for payroll, debts and bills. Interest does not accrue and payments are not required for one year after the first disbursement.
Based on: Disaster assistance centers open to help flood survivors with losses