WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – The Nooksack River continues to recede and is mostly back within its banks, but flood waters are still present.
“There’s still a tremendous amount of water out in the fields still draining out and will continue to do that over the coming days,” says Whatcom Emergency Management Deputy Director John Gargett. “But fundamentally, we’re now out of official flood stage at all the gauges.”
Gargett says many roads remain closed due to damage and people shouldn’t ignore those signs.
And he asks that those who are curious about flood damage refrain from sight-seeing trips.
“Literally at this point it’s impeding the recovery effort if they do that,” says Gargett. “So, we’re asking people to please don’t go to those areas.”
The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Lynden Fairgrounds and several churches continue to take people in.
“There can’t be enough said about the quality of the people and the churches,” says Gargett. “And I’m referring to the parishioners of the churches. They’ve turned out, they’ve opened their houses and they’re happy to have the people their for as long as is necessary.”
Sumas, Nooksack and Everson are organizing a “clean-up” weekend to get a start on their cities’ recoveries.
If you’ve been impacted by the flooding or want to help out, you can find all the information you need on the County’s website.