Fighting Back the Floodwaters on the WA Coast

Reporter Hannah Weinberger tells us how a monumental levee project could ease economic turbulence in two Grays Harbor County towns.

For coastal communities like those in Washington’s Grays Harbor County, flooding has long been a part of life. But as floods have become more frequent and severe, this aspect of life at (or below) sea level has become an existential threaten to the livelihoods of those who live in these economically distressed areas. 

People living and working in the towns of Hoquiam and Aberdeen, for instance, are beset by the prohibitive costs of flood insurance and building requirements, making economic recovery an even greater challenge.

That could soon change with a recent infusion of federal money that may allow these towns to build a multimillion-dollar levee. Advocates say the levee will help these towns stay above water, literally but also economically.

For this episode of the Crosscut Reports podcast, host Sara Bernard talks with reporter Hannah Weinberger about her recent trip to Grays Harbor, where she talked to the community members most affected by flooding and to the people who hope to change the fortunes of these coastal communities. 

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Credits

Host/Producer: Sara Bernard

Reporter: Hannah Weinberger 

Executive producer: Mark Baumgarten

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