Town of La Conner forming flood control commission

Rising tides have in turn given rise to a renewed focus on flood control and long-term effects of climate change here.

The Town of La Conner is looking to form a five-member commission with regular monthly meetings where data will be studied and experts consulted to stay ahead of future significant flood events such as the town experienced last month.

Mayor Ramon Hayes last week announced an intent to convert the present two-member Town Council flood committee to a full-fledged commission.

"It's something that would need Council approval," Hayes said at the Jan. 10 meeting. "It would cover all the issues being addressed tonight." 

The commission will likely be two Council members and three citizens with the hope that the latter includes those having interest or expertise in tidal and meteorological conditions.

"They wouldn't necessarily have to reside in town," said Councilmember Rick Dole, who staffed an emergency shelter at Maple Hall the afternoon of the Dec. 27 flood and the next morning was among those monitoring the waterfront.

A commission is one of several enhanced flood control approaches being embraced by Town officials. They also intend to confer with state legislators.

"We are looking to engage flood experts, create a strategic plan and meet with our lawmakers," Hayes said. "Once we have a plan, we can take our lobbying effort to the state and federal levels." 

One goal, he added, will be to identify specific challenges La Conner faces in regard to flooding.

In the meantime, there are immediate needs to be met.

"There are things being worked on now and that we'll continue to be working on," said Hayes, confirming a request for disaster relief funds.

Town planner Michael Davolio asked Council to waive permit fees for those making flood damage construction repairs.

Hayes cited identification of necessary flood-fighting equipment and staging areas for deploying sandbags quickly, development of a call-out list for assistance, maintaining contact with meteorological experts and creation of a flood management operations center and early warning system as immediate steps to take. 

Some residents most impacted by the flooding told Council their experiences.

Caledonia Street residents Bill and Sandy Stokes recounted how their neighborhood was swamped with water akin to a rushing river.

"Houses were soaking and lawns became lakes," said Sandy Stokes. "The water didn't stop coming into the house until 9:30 that night. Our house is uninhabitable, but it can be fixed."

"It hasn't flooded this bad in our 20 years here," said Bill Stokes. 

Both applauded the response of the public works staff, firefighters, agencies and volunteers to beat back the flood waters. Bill Stokes, though, implored Town officials to commit to improving La Conner's flood control infrastructure.

"There's always budgetary concerns," he said, "but this is an opportunity to go get FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funds to upgrade infrastructure to protect the town."

Stuart Welch said his garage was inundated with three feet of water. He said two neighbors had water enter their homes and the situation was made worse by "disaster tourists" who drove by, creating waves that flushed water back onto the flooded properties.

Welch praised response efforts, but wished they had been more coordinated, noting the flooding occurred the morning after an official Town holiday. He called for proactive strategies to mitigate future flooding.

"Climate change is real," Welch said. "It's real. It can happen. I don't want to hear again how we didn't think the water would get that high."

Jerry George joined Welch and Jim Mathews in acknowledging climate change.

"What was a 100-year event is now a three-year event," he said. "It's going to happen again."

George thanked Hayes and Public Works Director Brian Lease.

"Brian and his crew were incredible," said George. "I want to thank you, mayor, for coming and checking on us."

Matthews seconded the plea for upgraded flood control infrastructure. He suggested doing as Mount Vernon has done – install a downtown floodwall.

"The safety of the town needs to be our No. 1 priority," he said. "An attempt at prevention needs to happen."

La Conner Fire Department Chief Aaron Reinstra, the Town's code enforcement officer, said the flooding set a new standard.

"I've never seen it that bad," Reinstra said, "and I've been all over the county fighting floods." 

Gary Nelson, a lifelong La Conner area resident, had floodwater enter his more than century-old workshop, leading him to consider elevating the North Fourth Street structure. Nelson said doing so would run afoul of setback requirements.

"I would like to do it without having to put it back to five feet," Nelson said.

Davolio was sympathetic agreeing it is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Nelson asked that the Town help residents "mitigate these (flooding) situations in the future."

"All the stuff – king tides, barometric pressure, run-off – we can track," Council member Ivan Carlson said., part of the game plan against flooding

Hayes said various technology options include early warning websites and cell phone apps.

There is widespread public support to tackle the issue.

"People do want to help," stressed resident Linda Talman.