County dealing with storm damage

Last week's storms left Wahkiakum County dealing with several problems.

Unstable slopes caused slides that have closed Shannon and Covered Bridge roads in the Grays River Valley, and debris clogged cooling system intakes on the ferry "Oscar B." and closed service for repairs.

The ferry could be out of service for 3-4 weeks, Wahkiakum County Public Works Director Chuck Beyer said.

While making a run early Friday morning, sticks and branches floating in the Columbia plugged the water intake to the engines' cooling system. The crew was able to switch power and limp back to dock, Beyer said, but the US Coast Guard ordered the vessel to be tied up until the problem was fixed.

Beyer said the county is consulting with the engineering firm which designed the vessel. One possible solution would be to install a radiator cooling system which would be self-contained in the hull and not need to draw river water.

In any case, the repair is likely to keep the vessel docked for a month, Beyer said.

Meanwhile, a slide has closed Covered Bridge Road near its western end, and another slide has closed Shannon Road not for from its intersection with SR 4.

The county road crew will set up a temporary repair on Covered Bridge Road, said County Engineer Paul Lacy. The crew will place a culvert in the ditch on the upland side of the road and cover it with rock to make a road bed. The section will have a single lane.

The Shannon Road repair will take longer, Lacy said, because the Grays River is eating into the slope below the road.

"I think we can get through there next week," he said.

Also Tuesday, commissioners declared a state of emergency for the county. This will allow governmental entities to apply for state or federal disaster relief funds.

People whose property sustained damage in recent storms and flooding are asked to report the damage the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office

"This information will potentially allow our county’s affected residents to qualify for Federal Disaster Assistance if our county and state meet certain thresholds, said Beau Renfro, director of the county Department of Emergency Management. "All damage must be reported to my office by 5 p.m. on Dec. 28. Failure to report damage may result in denial of funding if our county is approved."

To make a report or to obtain more information, contact Renfro at 360-795-3242, 360-465-2202 or renfrob@co.wahkiakum.wa.us.