WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – People most impacted by the recent record flood had a chance to express their grief, frustration and, at times, anger at a public meeting Wednesday evening, November 24th.
The issue of dredging the Nooksack River was a recurring theme.
This man worked for a gravel company that skimmed material off sand bars in the river during dry months, until the practice was halted in the 90’s.
“Twenty-five years that we did not dig off there. A hundred thousand yards a year. What is that? Twenty-five times a hundred thousand yards. That’s how much is in that river all the way to Ferndale.”
County river managers told the crowd that dredging the river wouldn’t have prevented this particular incident but many weren’t having it.
People also charged that government relief has been slow in coming if at all and wondered why the governor and federal officials aren’t cutting through red tape.
Other questions concerned why homes have been allowed to be built in flood plains.
“So it’s not really a hard decision because we already know what’s going to happen before it exists. And so it just seems like you’re allowing something to continue to occur, knowing what the outcome is going to be.”
Some people spoke about community, working together and keeping spirits up to get through this situation.
The meeting was recorded an is available on the county’s YouTube channel.