Coastal flood watch continues with extreme high tides in Whatcom

Damage assessments are still being sought from several seaside areas of Whatcom County that were inundated by seasonal high tides this week, even as the so-called “king” tides remain a daily threat.

Homes in Birch Bay and Sandy Point were surrounded by water from the extreme high tides, which occur in winter and are made worse by stormy weather, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Deb Slater told The Bellingham Herald on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

Gooseberry Point in Lummi Nation and areas around Bellingham Bay also saw flooding as tides pushed inland.

No injuries have been reported, Slater said.

A Sandy Point resident told The Herald on Thursday, Dec. 29, that her house hadn’t flooded, but it was surrounded by seawater up to the steps.

“I’m just really grateful that my house is not at risk as so many others’ are out here. But I’ve been living here for 36 years now and I have never seen flooding like this,” Ruth Parker said.

Residents said that the water had receded only a few inches since water pushed ashore during a storm on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

To help displaced residents, the American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Cordata Presbyterian Church in Bellingham, and Red Cross workers were in Sandy Point on Thursday.

Another coastal flood watch was posted by the National Weather Service in Seattle through an extreme high tide on Thursday, Dec. 29.

Less flooding was expected because the weather was milder, according to the online forecast.

A high tide of 10 feet 2 inches was at 10:41 a.m. Thursday at Birch Bay State Park, according to Tides.net, and a high tide of 9 feet 11 inches was due at 11:15 a.m. Friday, Dec. 30.

Minor damage was reported in Bellingham from the recent extreme high tides, officials told The Herald.

Water covered Squalicum Parkway at the curve toward Roeder Avenue on Tuesday and Wednesday, a source of frequent flooding, but it was open on Thursday, said Amy Cloud, spokeswoman for the Department of Public Works.

“We are monitoring (Thursday morning’s) king tide but it is projected to be much lower than previous high tides, and there is no wind to exacerbate conditions,” Cloud said in an email.

“Public Works has not received any service requests (so far) related to city streets, but we’re still assessing conditions,” Cloud said.

Nicole Oliver, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said there were some downed or hazardous trees and limbs debris has been addressed, and park restrooms are open.

Locations that saw flooding were Marine Park in Fairhaven and Boulevard Park near downtown.

Residents who suffered damage during recent storms were encouraged to report their losses to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management.

Flooded residents should call 911 if they have emergent needs, Slater said.