The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, is running its Reservoir Control Center 24 hours per day and put its Emergency Operations Center into operation Nov. 12 to respond to heavy rains and high coastal waves.
The Hoh Tribe has requested technical assistance for their community today. The breakwater is holding, but the river has come over the banks and is undermining the end where it terminates near the river.
“The Corps has sent out its Olympic Peninsula flood team and continues to communicate with other local counties and emergency managers,” said Doug Weber, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Emergency Management Branch Chief.
On Nov. 11 the Corps loaned King County and the City of Kent flood fight materials to reinforce the Briscoe School Levee on the Green River and is assisting the City of Everett and the Union Slough Diking District with re-enforcing their levee.
Heavy rain is forecast through Saturday, and the storm includes high winds and surf on the coast, with large waves potentially up to 20 feet.
The Corps operates dams in the White/Puyallup, Green/Duwamish, Skagit and Wynoochee basins for flood risk reduction. Dam operators had drawn down reservoirs to typical seasonal levels in preparation for the fall and winter flood season. The Corps is operating Wynoochee, Ross, and Upper Baker dams for flood control, holding down outflows to reduce the risk of downstream flooding.
Reservoir data from Corps reservoirs are available on line at:
http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nws/hh/www/index.html
Public Law 84-99 enables the Corps to assist state and local authorities in flood fight activities and cost share in the repair of flood protection structures. The purpose is to prevent loss of life and minimize property damage associated with severe weather.
Private citizens seeking sandbags should contact their local government offices.
The National Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information.