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December 2025 Atmospheric River Flooding Assistance

In December 2025, a powerful atmospheric river caused widespread flooding across Washington state, damaging homes, businesses and major roadways.

If you ALREADY applied for state assistance you will need to apply AGAIN for federal assistance. Applications do NOT forward.

Individuals and families who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers.

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

For federal assistance, you should apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.

After applying for assistance, an inspection may be needed of the property.

Check to see if you live in a designated area that qualifies for assistance.

FEMA may also request more information to support your eligibility for assistance or information related to your specific disaster-related needs identified in your application. 

Find more information on federal assistance here.

STATE ASSISTANCE

If you have completed an Unmet Needs Assessment Forms to get state assistance through SAHelp and have not yet received a determination regarding your eligibility for the State Individual Assistance (IA) Program, please contact the Disaster Recovery Hotline 833-719-4981 or email us at humanservicesgrants@mil.wa.gov. Our team is available to review your application status and assist with any questions or next steps.

The deadline for state assistance is April 27, 2026. To get state assistance, you must:

  • Live in an eligible county: King, Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit or Whatcom;
  • Earn 80 percent or less of the area median gross income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
  • Show that their primary residence was destroyed or suffers major damage (water has reached the electrical outlets on the home’s first floor) by flooding events between Dec. 5 and Dec. 22, 2025.
  • A housing unit is defined as a house, apartment, manufactured home, recreational vehicle, readily-fabricated dwelling, houseboat or any other distinctly-separated living space. A living space may qualify as a housing unit if it includes facilities for cooking, eating and sanitation.

Survivors could be eligible for:

  • Household Needs Grant – $350-$1125 to cover urgent needs.
  • Extended Sheltering Assistance – Cash reimbursement for lodging costs survivors had during and following the storms.
  • Rental Assistance – Cash reimbursement for rental cost if displaced from your primary residence.
  • Home Replacement (RV/Campers) – Up to $15,270 can be made available to assist in replacing campers or recreational vehicles used as a primary residence.

To submit your assessment of unmet needs please visit SAHELP.org or call the Disaster Recovery Hotline at 833-719-4981.

Where can I learn more about help from the Small Business Administration?

Washington has received a Small Business Administration disaster declaration. Homeowners, renters and businesses can apply for low-interest SBA loans to repair their storm-damaged homes and replace personal property in King, Lewis, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom and nearby counties.

The deadline to return physical damage applications is April 27. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 24.

  • Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. 
  • Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
  • Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Where can I go to talk to someone in person about disaster assistance?

There are Disaster Assistance Centers available to help you (Word Document). 

Who do I talk to to get insurance help?

Anyone with questions about their insurance can contact the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Protection team online or at 800-562-6900

Important Information About Submitting an Unmet Needs Assessment Form for state Individual Assistance:

Unmet Needs Assessment Forms are submitted through SAHelp.org, by phone, or in person at Disaster Assistance Centers (DACs) in local areas. Submitting the form does not automatically mean an individual or household will receive State IA funding. Additional verification will be required.

After the form is submitted, a Salvation Army Disaster Case Manager will contact the resident to review their situation and identify available recovery assistance. This support may include local, state, federal, nonprofit, and donated resources.

Those who submit the form will be asked to provide supporting documents to complete their application. Click here to see a list of acceptable documentation.

Learn more

flooding by Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management cropped

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