YEAR IN REVIEW 2023 - DECEMBER

DECEMBER 2023

An “atmospheric river” of torrential rain over several days caused the Skokomish River to crest at its second-highest recorded point Dec. 5 and flooded and closed roads throughout Mason County.

The National Weather Service on Dec. 5 issued flood warnings in parts of western Washington, including much of the Olympic Peninsula.

Flooding and hazardous conditions prompted the state Department of Transportation to close state Route 106 from U.S. Highway 101 to Alderbrook at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 5. Other roads closed that day included Skokomish Valley Road, Bourgault Road West and Purdy Cut-Off Road, all overtaken by the Skokomish River.

According to preliminary flood gauge data provided by the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrological Prediction Service, the Skokomish River near Potlatch crested at 18.01 feet at 6:15 a.m. Dec. 5. If confirmed, it would be just the second time in the river’s recorded history it passed 18 feet. The river’s record crest of 18.16 feet occurred during a rain-on-snow event on Dec. 3, 2007. The river’s primary flood gauge is located near the U.S. 101 bridge.

In North Mason on Tuesday, Belfair Tahuya Road was closed from its intersection with North Shore Road to the Tahuya River Road, from milepost 8.16 to milepost 11.74. Lower Elfendahl Road was closed from North Shore Road to its intersection with Belfair Tahuya Road; a river runs parallel with that stretch.

Mason County Administrator Mark Neary said the county declared a state of emergency Tuesday morning due to floodwaters.

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A city hearing examiner is considering Community Lifeline’s request to expand the capacity of its downtown Shelton homeless shelter from 35 beds to 54.

On Dec. 11, city hearing examiner Andrew Reeves heard three hours of testimony from the City of Shelton, Community Lifeline board members, business owners and neighboring residents about the shelter at 218 N. Third St. at the Shelton Civic Center.

The nonprofit is requesting an amendment to an existing conditional use permit to expand its bed capacity. The City of Shelton recommends approving the amendment, with eight conditions that include having at least one trained staff member on site for every 15 patrons staying at the facility and coordinating with the city to maintain an ongoing count of available beds.

Reeves said he expects to announce a decision on the nonprofit’s request the week of Jan. 8. A similar request was rejected in June 2022 by hearings examiner Terrence McCarthy, who said expanding from 35 to 50 beds would “add gasoline to a fire” following complaints by neighbors about vandalism, open drug use, intimidation and trash.

Eleven people spoke at the Monday’s hearing. Five others sent comments, two in support of the bed expansion, three opposed.