Flood — Whatcom, Washington

2009-01-07 to 2009-01-09 · near Lynden, Whatcom, Washington

Event narrative

Some homes and businesses in Ferndale, Marietta and Lynden were flooded, most of them from the Nooksack River. Most schools in the area were closed or limited hours for 3 days. Sections of several major roads were closed. In the end more than two dozen roads had sections that had been washed away.

Wider weather episode

Rainfall of 8-20 inches in the mountains and 1 to 9 inches in the lowlands occurred from Jan 6th through 8th. Flooding was widespread over much of Western Washington. Record flooding occurred on the Snoqualmie, Tolt, and North Fork Stillaguamish Rivers. Near record flooding occurred on the Snohomish, Newaukum, and Skookumchuck Rivers. Major flooding occurred on 18 rivers and 21 forecast points. Surveys found an estimated 497 residences that were destroyed or suffered major damage, and another 2,340 residences that needed repairs. Over 44,000 people were evacuated as a result of rising or high water as well as landslides.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (48.9300, -122.2758)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 148701. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.