OLYMPIA — Senate Democrats introduced a capital budget proposal on Monday, Feb. 23, that directs $7.5 million in funding for flood recovery in the city of Pacific. Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) played a significant role in advocating for that funding to be included.
“December’s heavy rainfall and extreme flooding caused severe damage to the city of Pacific’s infrastructure and created health and safety hazards,” Wilson said. “Our neighbors in Pacific are still recovering from the flooding, and that’s why I worked with the city to advocate for the funding needed to help them rebuild.”
The city of Pacific is requesting $30 million in aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair public infrastructure damage from the flooding. The $7.5 million in funding proposed in the Senate’s capital budget represents a 25% match requirement set by FEMA to access federal funds.
Funding in the proposed capital budget will be used to repair City Park, roads, waterlines, storm structures, and sewer lines. This project also includes funding for future flood mitigation.
The $7.5 million grant for the city of Pacific is part of a $50 million investment proposed in the Senate’s capital budget specifically for flood recovery and preparedness, with the city of Pacific receiving the second largest allotment of funds. Funding will also be directed to improving the resilience of the Nooksack River’s floodplain, grants for debris clearance and recovery in damaged areas, and a risk and needs assessment for Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Lewis Counties to help identify the highest-value flood preparedness projects so the state can be more informed and prepared for the future.
The Senate also passed Senate Bill 6343 to provide property tax relief to people whose homes were damaged by the flooding last December. This bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Finance on Thursday, Feb.26. Watch on TVW.
Between Dec. 5-22, 2025, the City of Pacific experienced high-water levels due to multiple atmospheric river systems producing major rainfall. This caused the White River and the Government Canal to overflow and flood a portion of the city of Pacific. The raging waters broke barriers and flooded homes, apartments, properties, parks, public facilities, recreational equipment, and road structures.
The capital budget is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Watch on TVW.
