Waitsburg mayor proclaims flood emergency

WAITSBURG – With warm temperatures, substantial rainfall and accelerated snow melt, the city of Waitsburg issued an emergency declaration at approximately 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Mayor Martin Dunn’s declaration of a flood emergency allows the city to take steps to prevent water from entering the city. A copy of the proclamation will be delivered to Gov. Bob Ferguson and the Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners.

City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said the city was given authority to mobilize a contractor and build a setback levee at 782 Preston Avenue. This is where the levee on the Touchet River was breached back in 2020. The private landowner had not given the city permission to fix the breach previously.

According to the city stream gauges, the Touchet River crested at approximately 1:15 a.m. Sunday with Coppei Creek peaking around 9 p.m. Sunday. All other flood protection measures were sufficient to handle the increased flows in the Touchet River and Coppei Creek. While Coppei Creek jumped out south of where it typically does, neither the Touchet River nor Coppei Creek made it to their respective flood stages.

City crews continue to monitor the high-water levels.

Photo of levee repair via Randy Hinchliffe

---

• 
• 

• 
• 

• 
• 

---

---