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Sedro‑Woolley reviews winter‑storm response after near‑miss flooding; $222,125,000 preliminary damage figure in packet
Summary
City staff and emergency officials described evacuations, EOC activation, partner coordination and mitigation work after a December flood threat. The packet lists a preliminary damage assessment and several follow‑up project requests, including a $175,000 generator and hazard mitigation updates.
Sedro‑Woolley officials gave a detailed account of the city’s response to a December winter storm that prompted activation of the city’s Emergency Operations Center and localized evacuations. City Administrator Charlie told the council the EOC activated at a low level Dec. 8 and moved to in‑person operations Dec. 10 when forecasts rose to the 42‑foot range, remaining staffed through subsequent crests.
Chief Wagner described field operations, recalling rapid shifts in forecast numbers — at one point hearing a 52‑foot prediction — and said the department prioritized evacuations of vulnerable facilities including Birchview memory care and an Alzheimer’s unit. Wagner credited partners including Skagit Transit, the school district and Helping Hands Food Bank for providing buses, drivers and box trucks to move residents and supplies.
"We went from, you know, normal operation to bringing people from building and planning and wastewater and public works and all the different jobs they had," Wagner said, explaining crews filled roughly 50 shelter placements during the peak of response.
The city presented a slideshow of operational photos and outlined EOC roles for planning, logistics, finance and operations. Ruth Richardson and Nicole McGowan served as public information officers; Richardson produced a localized map after a county mass alert erroneously flagged the entire city for evacuation, a move city staff said helped reduce confusion.
Public Works Director Bill Bullock described damage patterns at Riverfront Park, where fence collapse, gravel and pavement migration were common. He said mitigation work installed after the 2021 flood reduced damage this year, and estimated Riverfront Park damage at about $100,000. Bullock also reported more than 4,000 sandbags were supplied and distributed during the event.
Charlie told council members the packet included a preliminary damage assessment listed as "$222,125,000 dollars here at the city" with $60,000 identified for protective measures and $165,000 for parks and other damages; staff also noted about $17,000 in overtime that may be eligible for state or federal reimbursement. City staff said they will submit damage reports to the county, which forwards them to the state and then to the federal government for review.
Council members praised staff and volunteers, asked about reimbursement timelines and local gauge capabilities, and encouraged continued investment in mitigation. Staff flagged several follow‑up items that will appear in future budget discussions including a $175,000 estimate to replace and consolidate generators for the city hall/public‑safety complex, an update to the comprehensive emergency management plan, hazard mitigation annex revisions and consideration of EOC software and staffing changes.
The city said it will continue debriefs with the county and other partners and bring specific policy and capital requests back to the council for decision.
