Significant coastal flooding reported in Sandy Point this morning

SANDY POINT, Wash. — Whatcom County Fire District 17 (WCFD17) Fire Chief Jim Petrie said he headed out about 5am this morning, Thursday, January 11th, to assess conditions around Sandy Point during high tide and was surprised by what he saw. A westerly wind was pushing the water across the peninsula, surrounding residences and flooding roads.

Sandy Point

Petrie reported impacts were most severe around the south end of the point noting that the intersection of Sucia Drive and Patos Drive was under water.

WCFD17 serves the Sandy Point community during coastal flooding events but their station has also been severely damaged during the last 2 severe coastal flooding events in January and December of 2022. As a result of these past flooding impacts, Petrie deployed a flood boom which protects the building but takes firefighting and aid apparatus out of service.

Scene of coastal flooding in the Sandy Point area during a 10-foot high tide with a westerly wind (January 11, 2024). Photo courtesy of WCFD17, — Scene of coastal flooding in the Sandy Point area during a 10-foot high tide with a westerly wind (January 11, 2024). Photo courtesy of WCFD17.

This stuff is so unpredictable. I debated whether to deploy the boom since it was dry across the street. But within 5 minutes the water had crossed the road and was threatening the station. WCFD17 Fire Chief Jim Petrie (January 11, 2024)

There was a 10-foot high tide about 6am and a 9.4-foot high tide is expected a little before 3pm. Winds are expected to shift to northeastern sometime today.