For the Reporter

Pacific residents who have experienced chronic flooding from the White River are about to receive some help from the King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors.

The board gave its unanimous approval Tuesday to make immediate flood protection improvements to the White River Estates neighborhood within the city.

The $3 million of special funding includes enhanced containment with an expanded HESCO barrier line to protect houses and property. The action also includes funding for voluntary acquisitions in targeted locations.

Since the devastating flood of 2009, the Flood Control District, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has been erecting temporary barriers, known as HESCOs, at Pacific Park that provide increased flood protection to Pacific. The district-approved funds will help provide additional protection to the White River Estates neighborhood, which historically has had chronic flooding problems.

“I want to thank the homeowners who took the time to make their case for Flood District involvement,” said Pete von Reichbauer, a King County Councilmember who also serves as a King County Flood supervisor. “The chronic flooding of the White River Estates neighborhood in Pacific has displaced families and disrupted lives. By taking the steps we did today, we are moving toward providing certainty and peace of mind for these residents.”

The cause for the immediate action is because of the increasing floodwater levels along the White River.