The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, activated its Emergency Operations center Jan. 9th and has sent three teams to assist coastal tribal communities with flood protection measures before a storm hits overnight and coincides with high tide Saturday morning.
One team is assisting the QuileuteTribe at La Push, Wash., with placement of as much as 500 tons of large rock at an area where a jetty ties in with the land and is at risk of breaching and flooding the community.
Another team is assisting the Quinault Indian Nation at Taholah, Wash., with construction of a berm to protect homes and infrastructure from potential flooding at high tide. A third team is providing 1,000 sand bags and technical assistance the Hoh Tribe, who have concerns about potential erosion from the incoming storm.
“The Corps has sent out teams of emergency responders who are familiar with the area and the specific threats from coastal storms, ” said Doug Weber, the Seattle District, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Emergency Management Branch Chief .
Teams will remain to monitor conditions until the major storm threat has passed.
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.
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Press Release, January 13, 2014