Flood Recovery Assistance
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Skagit county experienced historic flooding following a series of intense storms and atmospheric rivers. We’ve gathered flood recovery resources to support those affected, and this page will be updated as new resources become available.
We Are Here to Help!
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Let friends and family know you are safe.
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Return home when authorities say it is safe to do so.
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Before entering your home, check around for signs of structural damage like foundation issues or gaps around doors or windows. Look through your window to make sure it is safe to enter.
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Inventory Damage
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Contact your insurance agent or insurer as soon as possible to file a claim.
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Call Skagit County Planning and Development Services at (360)416-1320 to arrange a post-damage assessment.
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Take Photos of Flood Damage
For many insurance claims and financial assistance applications, you need photo documentation of flood damages to your home, business, or farm.
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Capture damages before any repairs or emergency work begin, and again after repairs are completed.
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Use geo-tagged or GPS-located photos whenever possible.
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Take wide-angle photos for context and close-ups for detail.
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Include a scale reference (cone, tape measure, ruler).
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Document inaccessible damage using aerial/drone imagery or by noting why the area cannot be reached.
FEMA and/or your insurance company may require an assessment. Skagit County inspectors will visit the site to:
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Inspect the structure.
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Document damage.
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Determine the highest water level that was in the building.
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Classify damage as minor, major, or destroyed.
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Photograph damage to your property. Do what you can to prevent further damage, like putting a tarp over a damaged roof.
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Dispose of any food that has come into contact with flood water and perishable food that has not been properly refrigerated or frozen.
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The red Cross may provide you with vouchers for essentials like groceries, medication, clothing, and a flood clean up kit.
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Check your water source. DO NOT turn water back on until the well has been assessed and or repaired.
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Contact Skagit County Public Health for information about residential well or water testing. (360) 416-1500| Skagit County Public Health and Community Services
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Emergency Drinking Water and Well Disinfection during Flood Events
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Continue listening to local new for updated information.
Beware of areas where floodwaters have receded and watch out for debris on or near the road. Road closures and cautionary signs are put in place for your safety. Pay attention to them and do not drive around barricades.
Community Assistance & Navigation
Washington 211 connects you to:
​•Food assistance
•Temporary shelter
•Utilities assistance
•Emergency funds
•Local resource centers
Dial 211 or visit: wa211.org
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Emotional and Mental Health Support
Disasters are stressful. Free, confidential support is available.
Disaster Distress Helpline (SAMHSA)
(SAMHSA = Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Disaster Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation
•Call Hotline: 1-800-985-5990
•Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 Available 24/7 in multiple languages.
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Report Flood Damage
Skagit County Department of Emergency Management has an online survey for residents report damage from the flooding. If you are a resident or business that incurred damage and losses during the recent flooding event, fill out the Initial Damage Assessment form.
General Flooding Resources
HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION:
CITY FLOOD INFORMATION
EVACUATION LEVELS 1, 2, 3 Click to open
NEWS/UPDATES Click to open
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Click to open
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River Level Hotline: (360) 416-1404
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Current river levels:
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SANDBAGS: Click here for more information about sandbag locations
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Visit ready.gov/kit for tips on how to build your GO! kit.
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LIVESTOCK INFORMATION:
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Shelter for livestock is available at the Sedro-Woolley Rodeo Grounds located at 24538 Polte Rd, Sedro-Woolley. For questions, call: 360-421-9468. There is also limited capacity for small animals and trailers can be accommodated.
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If you have large bales of hay to donate or need large bales of hay, contact Emily Diaz at emilyd@co.skagit.wa.us.
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If you need help making arrangements for your livestock, you can contact Skagit Animals in Need (SAIN) at info@skagitanimalsinneed.org or on Facebook.
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Skagit Valley Humane Society has very limited space for small animals. Contact (360) 757-0445 or info@skagithumane.org.
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For small animals and reptiles, call Forgotten Animal Kingdom (425) 210-3807.
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Stranded or abandoned animals needing assistance call 911 or the non-emergency line to dispatch (360) 428-3211.
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100-Year Flood Plain iMap | PDF Map
*Important! Some areas of Skagit County have inaccurate parcel location data. If your parcel is within 300 feet of the 100 Year Floodplain, your parcel may actually be within the flood plain.
Wet Hay Bales Can Start a Fire
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If you have hay or straw that got wet during the flooding, it is at risk to start a fire. Every year barns burn down from wet hay that begins to decompose, generating heat, and can combust. Even if you think your bales are dry, go check them again; they may have absorbed water from the bottom. If bales feel warm or are wet, please take action.
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Remove bales from buildings to prevent fire, unroll them and spread them out on dry ground to allow oxygen to circulate.
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Do not feed flood-damaged hay to livestock as it presents a health risk.
Agricultural Flooding Resources
Washington Soil Health Initiative Resources
A compilation of resources available to support Washington farms affected by severe, historic flooding.
AgriSafe Network
Resources on pollutants like sewage, oil, pesticides and insecticides after floods for farmers and how to avoid them.
American Federation of Aviculture (AFA)
Bird owners affected by flooding can reach out to AFA for disaster assistance. Please send an email to: Disasterrelief@AFAbirds.org or submit an application.
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Emergency Relief Programs at the USDA Farm Service Agency
USDA and WSDA have several emergency relief programs that can help with post-flood recovery, including loss and damage coverage.
Contact your local FSA office as soon as damage occurs—early reports are required to access funding, even if details are limited. If your farm is not already registered with USDA, they can help start that process.
For Skagit County residents, please contact Kara Christensen at kara.christensen@usda.gov or (360) 592-6097 or Christina Christian at christina.christian@usda.gov or (360) 428-7684 ext. 2.
Find Your Local USDA Service Center
Before applying: Document all damage and losses with date-stamped photos. Phone cameras record dates automatically. If you are using a camera, make sure it is set to the correct date.
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
Covered practices:
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Removing debris from farmland
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Grading, shaping, or leveling land
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Restoring permanent fences
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Restoring conservation structures
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Payment Rates: ECP provides cost-share assistance of up to 75% of the cost of approved conservation practices. Limited resource producers may be eligible for up to 90% cost-share.
Do not begin restoration work for the above covered practices until after a contract is signed and approved and you are given the green light. Please note that this process can take up to 6 months or longer.
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
Covers flood-related losses such as:
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Feed and forage losses
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Flood-related grazing losses
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Honeybee hive, colony, and feed losses
Payment rates vary by loss type.
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)
Provides payments for livestock deaths exceeding normal mortality due to flooding. Payment rates are based on the fair market value of the livestock.
Emergency Farm Loans
Emergency Farm Loans offer crucial financial support to farmers and ranchers impacted by natural disasters. These loans can be used to help restore or replace property, cover production costs, pay essential living expenses, or refinance certain debts. Available to producers in disaster-designated counties who cannot obtain sufficient credit elsewhere.
Loan availability is typically announced within several months of disaster designation.. Sign up for WSDA's Regional Markets newsletter to stay updated.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.
Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and helps pay for replanting or rehabilitating eligible trees, bushes, and vines that produce annual crops and were damaged or destroyed by natural disasters.
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Applicants must provide documentation of losses and meet all program requirements
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Covers up to 65% of replanting or rehabilitation costs
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Apply through USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and have an approved contract before beginning any work
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Eligible plantings must have experienced more than 15% mortality (adjusted for normal losses)