County's inaction to designate route
First steps just taken despite Commissioner's statements
I have read an email exchange between a County Commissioner and a community member. The resident had reached out this spring requesting a general update about Towne Road. In early June, the Commissioner replied that he was working with the appropriate state and federal agencies to see if the “new” Towne Road would serve as a Tsunami evacuation route. He also assured the resident that he would do his best to keep the community informed.
During this week’s Commissioners’ Work Session held on October 2nd (link below, go to 45:30) the same Commissioner asked whether the “new” Towne Road, atop the levee, would be considered a tsunami evacuation route. He was unsure which department would best assign the possible evacuation route designation and he questioned, “who would be taking the lead?” It became evident that very little, if any, action had been taken to obtain evacuation route designation. That is a stark contrast to the Commissioner's message four months earlier assuring a concerned resident that he was working with appropriate state and federal agencies.
I first heard Towne Road mentioned as a possible tsunami evacuation route on February 27th when the Commissioner and County Biologist asserted that the “new” Towne Road hadn’t been designated for tsunami evacuation (I watched the video of the Work Session). The County Engineer immediately said that a closed road cannot be designated as such. In June, the Commissioner said he was working with state and federal agencies to obtain route designation. On September 26th, at the public meeting, County Biologist Cathy Lear again said that the new Towne Road is not a designated evacuation route and when asked if the County had even applied for designation, she replied “no."
For four months, The County's outward messaging has been that tsunami route evacuation designation for Towne Road is being actively sought, but behind the scenes very little action has been taken. When considering the safe egress for an entire community, why would County staff shy away from pursuing such an important designation?
I can only think of one reason: the decision may have already been made and there’s no use designating an evacuation route for a road that is going to remain closed.
The 2022 County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, signed by the Commissioner, states that a near shore tsunami in Clallam County is “likely”. If you feel Towne Road should reopen and be considered as a tsunami evacuation route, contact all County Commissioners by writing the Clerk of the Board
loni.gores@clallamcountywa.gov
Video of Commissioners’ meeting: