Nearly four years after the devastating November 2021 Nooksack River floods and additional flooding in late 2025, recovery in Whatcom County is still underway. Thanks to a unique partnership between local nonprofits, funders, and Peoples Bank, dozens of families are now moving closer to long-term stability.
At the center of the effort is the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group (WLTRG), a nonprofit formed in response to the floods that damaged more than 1,000 homes and businesses across the county. Their latest initiative focuses on an ambitious but critical solution: raising homes above future flood levels to prevent a repeat disaster.
A Financing Solution That Makes Recovery Possible
While millions of dollars in federal funding are available for these elevation projects, the structure of that funding has created a major barrier. Grants from programs such as FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant are reimbursed only after work is completed, which can often be delayed by more than 100 days.
That’s where Peoples Bank stepped in. By helping finance a loan for WLTRG, backed by a 100% guarantee from the Whatcom Community Foundation, Peoples Bank is ensuring that contractors are paid, construction begins on time, and projects keep moving forward without interruption.
“This project is a powerful example of what can happen when local organizations and community-focused financial institutions come together,” said Tiffany Blair, Commercial Banking Officer at Peoples Bank. “By stepping in with timely financing, we’re able to help unlock critical funds that will support families as they rebuild safer, more resilient homes.”
Supporting Families Most in Need
The home elevation program is designed to prioritize families facing the greatest hardships. Homes were selected based on household income, the severity of flood damage experienced, and remaining unmet recovery needs.
“There’s still so much need in our community following the floods,” said Ashley Butenschoen, Vice President of the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group. “This program allows us to focus on the households that have the least resources to recover on their own, while also making sure they’re protected from future disasters.”
Participating homeowners are not responsible for the cost of the elevation work. With projects averaging about $200,000 per home, the combination of federal funds, nonprofit coordination, and financing removes what would otherwise be an insurmountable financial burden.
Elevating Homes and Resilience
The homes included in the program are located throughout Whatcom County, particularly in communities hit hardest by flooding, such as Sumas, Everson, Nooksack, and Ferndale.
Each project is complex, requiring coordination among engineers, contractors, and utility specialists. The process typically takes about four months per home and involves lifting the structure and rebuilding the foundation so that it sits approximately three feet above the Base Flood Elevation, which significantly reduces future flood risk.
“Home elevation is one of the most effective long-term solutions we have,” Butenschoen added. “We’re not just repairing damage—we’re helping families stay safely in their homes for years to come.”
WLTRG works with licensed contractors and specialized professionals throughout each phase, ensuring that homes are not only elevated but also brought up to modern safety and building standards.
A Community Effort
The elevation initiative is part of a broader recovery mission led by WLTRG, which has spent years coordinating disaster case management, housing repair, and financial assistance for impacted residents.
Peoples Bank’s involvement reflects a broader role that community financial institutions can play during times of crisis. By acting as a lender, the bank is helping accelerate recovery, strengthen the local housing supply, and reduce long-term risk for vulnerable residents.
While the current application period for the elevation program has closed, the impact of the work continues to grow. Each home raised represents not just a construction project, but a family protected, a neighborhood stabilized, and a community made more resilient.
Through partnerships like this one, Peoples Bank is helping to ensure that recovery doesn’t stall and that Whatcom County is better prepared for whatever comes next.
About Peoples Bank
Peoples Bank is a locally owned and operated independent full-service community bank with $2.4 billion in assets. Headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, Peoples Bank has been serving the community for 100 years and operates 23 locations throughout Washington. Reflecting its strong financial management practices, dedicated employees, and long-standing customer relationships, Peoples Bank was awarded a superior five-star rating from BauerFinancial, a leading independent bank rating firm. Learn more about Peoples Bank at www.peoplesbank-wa.com.