Flood Recovery Resources

Latest Update:

On April 11, 2026 Washington received a Major Disaster Declaration from President Trump. This opens the door to additional assistance for individuals and slightly increases the unsecured loan amounts available to businesses.

On February 26, 2026 the SBA made an agency disaster declaration which offers disaster assistance to Washington businesses, private nonprofits and residents affected by the December floods.

Businesses can apply for business physical damage loans
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses
Visit sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 to apply.
The deadline to return physical damage applications is April 27. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 24.

Stay tuned to this webpage for continued updates and resources related to flood recovery for your business.

For questions or assistance please call us at (833) 492-7232 or email at [email protected].

Updated 5/11/2026

Upcoming Training:

Recorded Webinar: What You Should Know About SBA Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration Seattle District Office hosted a webinar to help the small business community prepare for potential SBA Disaster Loan assistance related to recent flooding and mudslides. This session provided an overview of SBA disaster programs, eligibility, loan uses, required documentation, and available SBA and Washington state resources.

View the webinar recording here.

Key Resources:

Washington SBDC Business Resiliency Toolkit
- This business resiliency toolkit was designed by the Washington SBDC to help you assess risks and make contingency plans critical to your business’s ongoing sustainability or success.
Washington SBDC at Western Washington University (WWU) Whatcom County Flood Recovery Resources
Washington SBDC at WWU Business Disaster Recovery Quick Reference Guide
- This brief guide was developed by WWU advisors.
Disaster Recovery Toolkit (PDF)
- A guide for recover in the days immediately following a disaster, provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in conjunction with CPA Australia. This guide contains templates to help document losses and determine next steps for your business.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Small Business Recovery
- Resources to help re-open your business and navigate through long-term recovery.
Flood Recovery Guidance for Retail Food Establishments
How to Document Flood Damage | National Flood Insurance Program
Hiring a Contractor | L&I Guidance
- Use this resource to learn how to verify a contractor so that you don’t fall victim to contractor fraud.
Washington State Employment Security Department
- Help for impacted employers
  - You may qualify for relief of benefit charges and a waiver of penalties from Employment Security following an emergency. In certain situations, they can grant relief of charges to taxable employers. If you think you qualify for relief of benefit charges, send a request in writing. Learn more on the Employment Security website about how and when to request relief.
  - If you are late filing your quarterly report and payment due to a disaster, you may be entitled to have penalties waived. Learn how to follow the standard process for requesting a waiver.
  - The SharedWork program can help you retain employees at reduced hours. Employees may be eligible to receive partial unemployment to help bridge the gap in pay. Learn how to apply for SharedWork.
- Help for impacted workers
  - Employment Security can make allowances for workers who cannot get to their employer due to the floods. Visit their temporary layoffs and furloughs page to learn about:
    - Temporary layoffs: If a business is closed due to the disaster, Employment Security can ensure employees receive unemployment benefits and reduce the financial burden on employers.
    - Standby: Individuals and employers impacted by a natural disaster can request to be placed on standby.
- Help fight disaster scams and fraud
  - Disasters are notorious for attracting scams and frauds. You can help by carefully reviewing information that is shared with you whenever workers apply for benefits. If you don’t recognize the claimant or what they’ve submitted in their application, please use Employment Security’s fraud report form for employers.

Financial Assistance:

SBA EIDL and Physical Disaster Loans
- Business owners can apply for physical disaster loans or Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the SBA.
- The deadline to return physical damage applications was April 27, but they are still accepting applications. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 24.
Peoples Bank Flood Assistance
- Peoples Bank is temporarily offering several programs to support families and businesses facing financial hardship or loss due to flooding in the Pacific Northwest.
Washington State Department of Revenue Disaster Relief for Taxpayers
- The Department of Revenue will work with businesses that cannot file or pay their taxes on time due to a natural disaster.
Disaster Cash Assistance Program | WA Department of Social and Health Services
- Emergency cash assistance and replacement food benefits are available for people affected by recent flooding.
Financial Resources and Recovery for Washingtonians | WA.gov
- $2.5M in WA State disaster assistance funds is available to assist Washington residents impacted by the flooding.

Farm Recovery:

Grants for Farms | Washington Farmland Trust
- Beginning January 20, Washington Farmland Trust will provide micro-grants to farmers ranging from $500-$5,000.
Community Food Co-op Farm Fund Flood Response Grant
Washington State Department of Agriculture | Flood Recovery Support for Farms
USDA Disaster Assistance Programs
FSA Disaster Program Availability
USDA Farm Services Agency | Everson Service Center
- 914 Citadel Drive, Suite C, Everson, WA 98247
- (360) 318-8121
Cleanup Recovery Assistance | Whatcom Emergency Management
- (360) 676-6681

Arts Based Business Recovery

Contact an advisor