Our coastal community recently reached another exciting milestone as the City of Westport celebrated the groundbreaking of Washington State's third tsunami vertical evacuation structure on October 3, 2026. All of which are located in our communities. This important project represents years of planning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to protecting the people who live, work, and visit our beautiful coastal communities.
The Ocosta School District is especially proud of our region's role in advancing tsunami safety. In 2016, Ocosta Elementary School became home to North America's first tsunami vertical evacuation structure, with a specially designed rooftop refuge above the school gymnasium. In 2022, the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe completed the Auntie Lee Vertical Evacuation Tower in Tokeland, becoming Washington's second structure. Now, Westport is continuing that legacy by building a third.
The new Westport tower, located near the marina at the corner of Harms Street and East Harbor Street, will provide emergency refuge for more than 1,000 people. The $13.7 million project is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2027. The structure will also serve as a public viewing tower when not needed for emergencies.
We are particularly proud that Ocosta School Board Director Kevin Goodrich serves on the Westport Tsunami Safety Committee, which has played an important role in the community's ongoing efforts to improve tsunami preparedness. His involvement reflects the commitment our district's leaders have to the safety and well-being of our entire community.
Practicing Preparedness at Ocosta
Just days after Westport's groundbreaking, Ocosta students and staff joined participants across Washington and around the world for the Great ShakeOut on October 15, 2026. This annual earthquake preparedness event provides an important opportunity to practice emergency response procedures and reinforce the importance of being prepared.
At Ocosta, our drills go beyond practicing "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." Because we're located along the coast, students and staff also practice tsunami evacuation procedures, helping everyone understand how to respond after a major earthquake.
Our junior/senior high school students and staff successfully evacuated to their designated high-ground evacuation area in less than nine minutes! This impressive accomplishment reflects our students' and staff's preparation, teamwork, and commitment. The drill also provided an opportunity to practice accountability procedures and ensure students and staff know where to go during an emergency.
These drills are essential to keeping our school community safe. While we hope we never have to use these skills during an actual emergency, regular practice helps students and staff build confidence and become more familiar with the steps they need to take.
Working Together for a Safer Future
Living along the beautiful Washington coast comes with unique responsibilities. Following a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, tsunami waves could reach our community in approximately 15 minutes. Having accessible, elevated evacuation structures and well-practiced evacuation procedures provides critical options for saving lives.
From the innovative design of Ocosta Elementary School to the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe's evacuation tower and now Westport's newest project, our region continues to demonstrate what can happen when communities work together toward a common goal.
We congratulate the City of Westport, the Westport Tsunami Safety Committee, and all the partners who have worked tirelessly to make this newest project a reality. We also extend our appreciation to our students, staff, and community partners who continue to make emergency preparedness a priority.
Building safe places and practicing safe procedures go hand in hand. Together, we are creating a safer, stronger, and more resilient community for generations to come.