Enter any address in Whatcom County, Washington to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding and heavy rainfall events are the dominant flood types in Whatcom County. Recent events include coastal flooding during the December 2022 King Tides, exacerbated by strong winds and high tides, and significant river flooding in November 2021, caused by atmospheric rivers and heavy rainfall that impacted the Nooksack River and surrounding areas.
National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $40,929 and water depths averaging 2.5 feet. Properties in Zone X have seen higher average payouts ($45,176) and deeper average water depths (7.9 feet), despite fewer claims. Homeowners in coastal areas, as well as those located near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk. Properties in zones without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) also warrant careful consideration.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Whatcom County, Washington has recorded 12 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database. The county has received 26 federal disaster declarations, 13 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1971–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Dec 9, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Nov 5, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides, Tornado | Severe Storm | Dec 10, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides | Flood | Jan 30, 2017 |
| Severe Windstorm | Severe Storm | Aug 29, 2015 |
| Goodell Fire | Fire | Aug 19, 2015 |
| Wildfires And Mudslides | Fire | Aug 9, 2015 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Dec 27, 2022 | — |
| Flood | Nov 28, 2021 | 8.50M |
| Flood | Nov 14, 2021 | 34.00M (1 deaths) |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 3, 2014 | 1.00K |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Jan 26, 2012 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 17, 2012 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Dec 12, 2010 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Jan 7, 2009 | 5.60M |
| Flood | Nov 4, 2006 | 250.00K |
Coastal Flood — Dec 27, 2022
Coastal flooding between 8 AM - 11 AM high tide cycle on 12/27. The event was a result of King Tides, coinciding with significantly strong low pressure in the area and strong winds. Wind gusts of up to 64 MPH occurred in the event as well as observed tidal conditions 1-2 feet above the HAT.
Flood — Nov 28, 2021
Heavy rain of 5 to 10 inches caused flooding on many rivers, including the Bogachiel, Nooksack, Samish, Skagit, Skokomish, Stillaguamish Rivers. There was urban and small stream flooding as well. The heavy rain also triggered landslides throughout the area. Significant flooding on the Nooksack River, for the second time this month, overflowed at the City of Everson to the degree that flood wate...
Flood — Nov 14, 2021
An upper level trough Gulf Low continued off the west coast that brought a series of atmospheric rivers resulting in flooding across parts of western Washington. This second atmospheric river episode of the month was a set of three atmospheric rivers back-to-back-to-back. Water vapor transport into Western Washington averaged 160 - 200% of normal during the period of 11 November - 16 November. ...
Coastal Flood — Jan 13, 2021
A series of storm systems affected Western Washington around the middle of January, with dangerous beach conditions expected to set up by January 12. This combined with King Tides led to the potential for coastal flooding through the 13th.
Coastal Flood — Jan 3, 2014
Near Birch bay, minor coastal flooding damaged some outdoor furniture.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Whatcom County, Washington:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Whatcom County, Washington that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.