Preparing for Floods

• Read Flooding in Whatcom County: What to do Before, During, and After a Flood for information on what community members can do to prepare for floods. (Boletín sobre inundaciones en el condado de Whatcom)
• Visit our Forecasts and Current River Conditions page and familiarize yourself with these resources.
• Create a Two-Week Ready emergency kit for your family. 
• Purchase sand and sandbags before a flood emergency from these local businesses. 
• Use the new Whatcom County Natural Hazards Explorer as a tool to learn more about flood and other natural hazards in your area. 
• Use this flood hazard map look up tool within the Washington State Coastal Atlas. 
• The DEM hosts an annual meeting each October to review flood response procedures.
• Whatcom County Public Works staff receive annual training on flood response.
• The county trains volunteers to assist with sandbagging operations.

Evaluating Flooding Conditions

• The Nooksack River basin is divided into sectors with assigned observers, the "eyes in the field." 
• Observers travel throughout assigned sectors, reporting actual conditions in the field in order to coordinate effective flood responses.
• River & Flood staff work with DEM and Maintenance and Operations staff to prioritize problem areas and evaluate possible actions.
• Appropriate measures are taken to ensure public safety and minimize the loss of public and private property.
• People and equipment may be mobilized to fight the flood.

Agencies Involved in Emergency Response

• British Columbia Ministry of Environment
• City governments
• Fire departments within cities impacted by flooding
• Fire departments within unincorporated Whatcom County impacted by flooding
• Local media
• National Weather Service
• Police departments within cities impacted by flooding
• Washington Department of Transportation
• Whatcom County Public Works
• Whatcom County Sheriff's Office
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers