Whatcom Word, the word of Whatcom
- by City of BellinghamEarth Day events, salmon send-off, the future of public safety funding, and more: A news roundup from the City of Bellingham
- by City of BellinghamSt. Patrick’s Day festivities, Javier Zamora livestream, Old Town construction, and more: A news roundup from the City of Bellingham
- by City of BellinghamAMA with the mayor, how to identify BPD, WTA survey, new beach, and more: A news roundup from the City of Bellingham
- by City of BellinghamGood salmon news, open houses, senior affordable living progress, and more: A news roundup from the City of Bellingham
- by City of BellinghamMore than 30 years after it was first envisioned, new trail turns Sunset Pond into a regional park destination for recreation, nature, and neighborhood connection.
- by City of BellinghamLakeside sauna, Sunset Pond loop, construction updates, and more: A news roundup from the City of Bellingham
- by City of BellinghamVideo update highlights 2025 progress and 2026 priorities
- by City of BellinghamAn inclusive Bellingham, downtown fun, goodbye Mt. “Ker” Theatre, and more: A news update from the City of Bellingham
- by City of BellinghamCity of Bellingham announces grantees for soccer fan zone in Summer 2026.
- by City of BellinghamCelebrate with us at our community ribbon-cutting on Friday, Feb. 13.
- This page lists road closures and restrictions related to heavy rain in Whatcom County. Please note that conditions can change rapidly, and there may be a delay between when a road is closed and when staff can update this list.
- UPDATE 3:13PM – The material at the County Courthouse was determined to be non-hazardous. The Courthouse is reopened but operations are limited.
- Many of these advisories are long-term and will remain posted until conditions change. Drivers are encouraged to use caution and follow posted signage.
- Lots of local water ponding and some road closures with water over roadway. National Weather Service forecast is still for Nooksack R to remain below Minor Flood Stage at Ferndale and below Action Stage for Cedarville and Saxon.
- The roadway will reopen when it is safe to do so. Please avoid the area.
- We are monitoring the weather situation and in contact with the National Weather Service. Seeing lots of local water ponding, but the chances for significant river flooding is low. Ferndale will likely reach Minor Flood Stage, Cedarville at Action Stage.
- These signs are typically posted in locations that are prone to flooding. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, use caution, and never drive through standing water.
- Whatcom County Public Works is taking steps to preserve the wooden dolphins at the Lummi Island Ferry Terminal. During certain weather conditions, the ferry may temporarily suspend operations to protect the terminal infrastructure.
- We are monitoring the weather situation and in contact with the National Weather Service. Seeing lots of local water ponding, but the chances for river flooding is very low. Ferndale will likely reach Action Stage, but very low chance of reaching Minor.
- The Bellingham and Ferndale overnight severe weather shelters (SWS) will open Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14.
- The Whatcom County Superior Court announced in open court on March 9, 2026, that the deadline for all Water Resources Area (WRIA) 1 water users to file their adjudication court claim form is June 1, 2027.
- The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office is excited to announce the launch of the Elections Division’s “I Voted” Sticker Contest and invites all Whatcom County residents to participate!
- The closure is expected to last approximately four weeks.
- The Lake Whatcom Center will open an expanded and renovated 86-bed assisted living facility for adults with profound behavioral health issues in the coming weeks, thanks, in part, to a $1 million grant from a Whatcom County housing fund.
- The WA DOH has issued an emergency closure for recreational and commercial harvest of clams, oysters and mussels in Drayton Harbor, following several illnesses linked to the consumption of raw oysters harvested on Feb. 13 and Feb. 20, 2026.
- The dry dock outage dates for the Whatcom Chief have been revised due to a shipyard scheduling conflict. This updated schedule remains within the contract’s original bidding window provided to shipyards.
- Our Bellingham Severe Weather Overnight Shelter (SWS) has been open 23 nights so far this winter. Here are some quick numbers for the 2025-2026 so far.
- The Whatcom County Disposal of Toxics facility will be closed on Tuesday, March 17 for an off-site staff retreat. Please do not leave toxics in front of the closed gate. Operations will resume on Wednesday, March 18.
- Please join us for the second Community Engagement Workshop for the Justice Project on Thursday, March 19th from 6PM to 8PM at the Lynden City Annex Chamber, 205 4th Street, Lynden, WA.
- The Bellingham and Ferndale overnight severe weather shelters (SWS) will open Friday, Feb. 27, through Sunday night, March 1.
- Event date: March 19, 2026 Event Time: 06:00 PM – 08:00 PMLocation: 205 4th StreetLynden, WA 98264
- Event date: March 26, 2026 Event Time: 06:00 PM – 09:00 PMLocation: 5280 Northwest DrivePortable BuildingBellingham, WA 98226
- Event date: March 23, 2026 Event Time: 03:30 PM – 05:00 PMLocation: 509 Girard StWhatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: March 27, 2026 Event Time: 08:30 AM – 04:30 PMLocation: 311 Grand Ave Suite 103Bellingham, WA 98225
- Event date: March 19, 2026 Event Time: 05:30 PM – 07:30 PMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: April 1, 2026 Event Time: 06:30 PM – 11:59 PMLocation: 210 Lottie Street Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: March 19, 2026 Event Time: 03:00 PM – 04:30 PMLocation: 5280 Northwest DriveBellingham, WA 98226
- Event date: March 23, 2026 Event Time: 04:30 PM – 06:00 PMLocation: 110 Unity StWhatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: March 31, 2026 Event Time: 01:00 PM – 11:59 PMLocation: 311 Grand Ave1st FloorBellingham, WA 98225
- Event date: March 31, 2026 Event Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PMLocation: 311 Grand Ave1st FloorBellingham, WA 98225
- Event date: March 24, 2026 Event Time: 12:00 AM – 11:59 PMLocation: 311 Grand Ave1st FloorBellingham, WA 98225