Flood Preparedness & Initial Response

Coordination & Preparation

  • Required to develop a response strategy during flood events
  • River and Flood Division works with the County's Division of Emergency Management (DEM)
  • Coordinated response during flood events ensures public safety and minimizes flood damages.
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Preventing & Reducing Flooding
 
  • Take steps to prevent or reduce damage for flood-prone property. 
  • Read the Whatcom County Flood Newsletter (PDF) for before, during and after a flood.
  • The DEM hosts an annual meeting each October to review flood response procedures.

Agencies involved in emergency response include:

  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • British Columbia Ministry of Environment
  • 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
  • Red Cross
  • Washington Department of Transportation
  • Whatcom County Maintenance and Operations Division
  • Whatcom County Sheriff's Office
 

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 to prioritize problem areas and evaluate possible actions that minimize damages. 
  • Appropriate measures are taken to ensure public safety and minimize the loss of public and private property.
  • Forces may be mobilized to fight the flood.
  • The County trains volunteers to assist in sandbagging operations during a flood.