Long-term strategies for emergencies discussed

The Town’s saltwater flood barriers are nearly all in place ahead of king tide season, but for La Conner’s six-member Emergency Management Commission the heavy lifting is just getting started.

The panel has focused primarily on short-term flood mitigation this year. It shifted attention during the second half of its one-hour Oct. 24 hybrid session at Maple Hall to long-range preparedness strategies along the waterfront.

The commission endorsed a potential cooperative venture between the Town, Port of Skagit and Swinomish Tribal Community to install a tide gauge and weather station at the La Conner Marina fuel dock.

Commissioner Duane Carpenter, a retired National Weather Service meteorologist discussed two weather station instruments that could be placed at the fuel dock, located between the marina’s two boat basins.

A survey will be done prior to the Nov. 28 meeting.

Threats posed by earthquakes and tsunamis were also addressed.

Jerry George, whose background includes volcanic studies, reviewed the perils La Conner faces if struck by a major quake.

“If we have a (magnitude) nine earthquake,” George said, “the planning folks are saying we have to plan for a six-week power outage for the entire area, including Seattle. A six-point earthquake would cause significant damage in La Conner.”

George summed up the dynamics of the recent 4.3 quake centered south of Port Townsend.

“A couple weeks ago,” he reminded, “La Conner had an earthquake that was hardly felt. But if it had been a surface quake, it would’ve been a big one. In this case, though, the earthquake was deep – 35 miles below the surface. By the time it got to us, there wasn’t a lot of shake left.”

In addition to power issues, George cautioned that a severe earthquake could knock out the main water conveyance line from the Skagit River.

Town Councilmember MaryLee Chamberlain attended the meeting as a member of the Skagit Valley Clean Energy Cooperative. She cited examples of outreach efforts and grants pursued to solarize public buildings.

“This ties in with the same campaign you’re doing to prepare the town for an emergency,” she said.

George agreed.

“We’ll need a backup for power (in the event of an emergency or natural disaster),” he said. “Solar is crucial.”

The focus returned to concerns over possible autumn and winter flooding from Swinomish Channel.

“The first round of high tides will be at the end of November,” Public Works Director Brian Lease said. “Even today’s tide was 1.1 feet above what was predicted. And we have a minor low-pressure system moving over town.”

Lease has obtained verbal approval to place flood barriers on private property along the La Conner waterfront. The town council has entered into an agreement with the Upper Skagit Tribe to site barriers on its south end lots on Sherman Street.

“Everything’s pretty much in place,” Lease said. “The flood threat on the south end is pretty much wrapped up. On the north end, there are a couple places that still have to be filled in.

“Please be aware,” Lease conceded, “that what we’re putting up won’t stop 100% of the water, but it will be manageable.”