HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutionJEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Willie Bence, Emergency Management Director
DATE: October 25th, 2019
SUBJECT: Emergency Declaration Request for Upper Hoh Road
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
On the morning of Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019, Jefferson County Public Works reported a washout on
Upper Hoh Road at milepost 8 due to rapid erosion of the river bank adjacent to the road during a storm
event. In a 24-hour period, 6.97 inches of rain was reported, causing the Hoh river to rise from 3,000 cubic
feet per second to a peak of 30,000 cubic feet per second. The resulting washout is 66 feet long in total, and
stretches 3 feet into the eastbound lane. As a result, Jefferson County Public Works has reduced traffic to the
single westbound lane.
Additionally, the excess of rainfall led to numerous plugged culverts and debris on roadways, posing
additional threats to life safety.
ANALYSIS:
As it is early in the storm season, more significant weather events are inevitable, and work on Upper Hoh
Road will need to begin immediately to restore the road to full function and mitigate against future
washouts. An emergency declaration will enable Jefferson County Public Works to work quickly and ensure
this critical lifeline on the West End of Jefferson County remains viable and safe for West End residents.
RECOMMENDATION:
The BOCC declare a State of Emergency regarding the damage to Upper Hoh Road, milepost 8, and related
storm damages.
REVIEWED BY:
Philip Morl unty A mini,,
Date
STATE OF WASHINGTON
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
In the Matter of } Resolution No.
Declaration of Emergency }
Damage to County Roads }
WHEREAS, that due to a weather event and ongoing erosion causing damage to
road infrastructure, specifically at Upper Hoh Road at milepost 8, the County Department
of Public Works deemed it necessary to reduce traffic at Upper Hoh Road MP 8 to a
single lane, and
WHEREAS, additional weather events and continued erosion will likely render
Upper Hoh Road completely impassable at said location, and
WHEREAS, immediate preventative action and repair will be necessary to prevent
further damage and to restore essential services, and
WHEREAS, persons and property may be threatened or damaged and access to
property may be impaired unless emergency efforts are taken by the Jefferson County
Department of Public Works to reduce the threat to life and property,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Jefferson County
Commissioners hereby declare that a state of emergency exists.
1. The County Department of Public Works is authorized to enter into contracts
and incur obligations necessary to combat this emergency to protect the health and safety
of persons and property in light of the exigencies of an emergency situation without
regard to time consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law, with the
exception of mandatory constitutional requirements.
ADOPTED this
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carolyn Gallaway, CMC
Deputy Clerk of the Board
day of October, 2019.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Kate Dean, Chair
David Sullivan, Member
Greg Brotherton, Member