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Ocean Shores advances tsunami preparedness as officials eye BRIC funding
Summary
City officials described steps to improve tsunami preparedness, including a designed vertical-evacuation tower, likely near-term BRIC funding, and plans to apply for two additional towers in 2027; officials flagged engineering, capacity and staging challenges that will be discussed at a forthcoming town hall.
Ocean Shores city officials told the Public Safety Committee on April 21 that the city is moving forward with vertical-evacuation planning after months of work and a likely release of BRIC grant funds in the coming weeks.
At the meeting the city administrator said grant funding (referred to in the discussion as the "BRIC" program) appears likely to be released “within the next 60 to 90 days,” and that the city has a completed design for a first tsunami tower. "The school's tower will hold about 300 people," the administrator said, adding that an estimated 5,100 people could reach that location within an hour in a mass evacuation, creating a mismatch between single-tower capacity and potential demand.
Why it matters: vertical evacuation is one of the few feasible protection strategies in low-lying Ocean Shores, officials said. City staff cautioned that moving the planned tower location would require costly re-engineering and could endanger current grant eligibility. The administrator said the city intends to hold a town hall to present the engineering rationale and answer questions on siting and capacity.
Emergency manager Mike described complementary preparedness work: an earthquake draft plan (still in development) now includes tsunami guidance pages; the city is preparing a continuity-of-operations (COOP) plan to support grant eligibility and ensure essential city functions during a major event; and staff expect to issue Wireless Priority Service and Government Emergency Telecommunications Service credentials to key personnel so they can place priority calls if networks become congested.
Officials said they plan to reapply for BRIC funding in 2027 for two additional towers that would be located near the South fire station and near the central business area (near the golf course/Sunday market/Bennett's parking), aiming for vertical-evacuation coverage on the north, central and south ends of town. "Vertical is the only way to go. Up is the only way to go," the city administrator said, citing research and federal guidance.
City staff also raised operational concerns: staging and access in a true Cascadia event could be severely constrained, roads could be blocked by downed trees, and some proposed staging sites (including the municipal airport) are themselves at low elevation. Officials said permanent staffing and radio/communications capability at tower locations will be important in a prolonged event.
Next steps: city staff will present engineering details and community outreach plans at a town hall; staff will pursue BRIC releases and prepare a 2027 BRIC application for two additional towers. The city administrator said construction on the first tower could begin as early as next year if funding and siting issues remain unchanged.
Sources: Remarks by the city administrator and emergency manager at the Ocean Shores Public Safety Committee meeting, April 21.
