The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, put its Emergency Operations center into operation Dec. 19 and has sent a team to assess coastal storm protection measures on the Olympic Peninsula.
The Corps’ Olympic Peninsula flood team went out Friday to assist potentially affected communities. In addition, Ocean Shores has requested and received 5,000 sandbags and has requested technical assistance developing a monitoring plan.
Current predictions are for westerly swells arriving on the Washington coast with heights reaching 22 and 25 feet and periods of 20 seconds. With a period of 20 seconds, the swell will be quite energetic and will have the potential to cause quite a bit of beach erosion. Because of the expectation of a King tide around noon on Saturday, there is a concern for coastal erosion in the low lying communities on the immediate coastline including the cities of Westport, Ocean Shores, and Quinault.
“The Corps has sent out a team of emergency responders who are familiar with the local conditions and the specific threats in these areas,” said Franchesca Gilbert, the Seattle District, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Acting Emergency Management Branch Chief.
The team will remain to provide assistance as requested and monitor conditions until the major threat has passed.
Public Law 84-99 enables the Corps to assist state and local authorities in flood fight and coastal erosion emergency 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.
Release no. 14-056