A devastating moment for Western Washington

The historic flooding across Western Washington has impacted tens of thousands of families, and I want to update you on what I have been doing to support our communities and share some important resources.

In the last few days, I have met with local leaders and first responders in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties to assess the damage and identify urgent needs. Together, we were able to identify the types of resources we needed most urgently to address this crisis.

With this information, I, alongside the entire Washington Congressional delegation, submitted our formal request for federal disaster assistance to ensure our communities receive the resources necessary for recovery.

As soon as it was safe to do so, I participated in damage tours and assessments in areas including Sumas, Everson, and Nooksack, helping highlight the scale of the flooding and the immediate needs of affected residents.

The situation continues to develop. A blizzard warning has been issued in parts of the region, creating extremely dangerous conditions on top of already challenging circumstances.

I urge you to stay vigilant and to continue checking local resources before making any plans. Please follow guidance from your county emergency management offices, and do not attempt travel unless it is absolutely necessary. Your safety and the safety of your neighbors are the top priority.

As this situation continues to evolve, please refer to these resources.

We are in this together, and I will continue to do everything I can to support our communities during this crisis and beyond. I am committed to continued work to secure funding for long-term flood mitigation projects, including creek improvements, diking systems, and infrastructure enhancements that will help protect our communities in the future.

More soon,

Rick