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New tsunami maps shows potential damage from major earthquake, tsunami

New tsunami maps shows potential damage from major earthquake, tsunami

Photo: KGMI/Washington State Department of Natural Resources


OLYMPIA, Wash. — Some sobering news from new estimates of damage a tsunami from a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake could bring to Whatcom County.

Maps of Department of Natural Resources models show Bellingham’s waterfront would be covered by several feet of water.

That includes businesses and residential buildings in and around Squalicum Harbor.

Much of the Nooksack River Delta would be under six to 16 feet of water.

Sandy Point and much of the Lummi River flood plain would also be covered by several feet.

Low-lying areas of Skagit County would also see several feet of flooding.

The study finds a magnitude 9 earthquake would likely cause churning waves and flooded coastal areas for as long as 14 hours throughout Puget Sound.

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