TAHOLAH, WA (3/10/16)—Heavy rains and winds again ripped at the seawall here this morning, causing new leaks and sending ocean water pouring through a 70 feet wide gap left by the Army Corps of Engineers when it did repair work to the barrier two years ago. Flood has resulted in the lower village of Taholah, according to QIN Councilman Larry Ralston.
The Quinault Tribal Courthouse parking lot is covered with water and employees were evacuated. The Tribe’s maintenance shop and commodity building was surrounded by water and employees there were unable to report to work. Taholah High School was closed due to flooding, power outages and sewage backups. Roads were closed due to the flooding, including Cedar and Pine streets. Several Quinault elders and other Quinault citizens had to check into a hotel in Ocean Shores and Quinault Police checked on the affected area hourly to ensure public safety due to high seas and continued flooding conditions, said Ralston.
Area forecasts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported waves at thirty feet. Rain and wind conditions were forecasted to subside in the late afternoon.
The U.S. Corps of Engineers responded to a breach in this seawall in March of 2014, using 100 dump trucks to rebuild the seawall, which is the only protection the village has from the ocean which has been steadily rising over the past several years due to climate change conditions. The Tribe has been working to find a more permanent solution, including a planned relocation of the entire lower village, which has been located where it is for thousands of years.
The Tribal Council is on the verge of declaring another state of emergency, to again request relief from the Corps of Engineers, depending on how conditions continue to develop.
“We’re thankful for the work the Army Corps has done in the past to help protect our village but we need to remain vigilant because the ocean is rising much more than anybody expected it to,” said Ralston.
“The Tribal Business Committee applauds the outstanding efforts of our tribal community services staff, roads crew and emergency personnel. They have been working non-stop since early morning, dealing with this emergency situation. People like Jim Figg, Chuck Burnett and Donald Waugh are to be commended for their service on behalf of the people of the Quinault Nation,” said Ralston.
The National Weather Service had issued high wind and surf warnings until 4 pm, with flooding in low lying communities along the immediate coast and possible severe beach erosion. A high surf warning indicates that dangerous, battering waves pound the shoreline resulting in life-threatening conditions. It also advised caution and preparedness for boats and ships at sea, strongly advising unprepared vessels to find safe harbor.
