Recovery efforts continue for flood-damaged Pacific.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Mayor Richard Hidreth said of the cleanup work. “Many lives have been ruined.”

City officials are asking for help as the city slowly begins to dry out.

Hildreth said the swollen White River continues to flow over the levy from Pacific Park to the King-Pierce county line, posing a danger zone.

Floodwater currently is flowing through the wetlands and re-entering the river south of the county line, he said.

“During an inspection of the levy (Sunday) at noon, I observed an almost constant stream of water, 6-inches deep, flowing from the park south at least 800 yards,” Hildreth said. “In some locations, the water is over 16 inches deep, flowing over the levy.

“We are asking those people not involved in recovery efforts to keep out of the area,” Hildreth said. “With the traffic from debris removal, emergency personnel and flood victims, it is already too congested.

“There is a lot of debris and unusual movement of the river,” Hildreth added. “We don’t want anybody to get trapped or hurt. It’s hard for us to get emergency personnel to these areas.”

Pacific Park remains closed, as is Third Avenue, which is inundated in 4-to-6 feet of water, Hildreth said.

HELP NEEDED, HELP AVAILABLE

Volunteers and other groups continues to help in the recovery phase.

The American Red Cross is distributing comfort kits. Teams are helping assess damage. A food kitchen has been mobilized.

Anyone wishing to volunteer is asked to check in at the staging area located in the community center, 100 Third Ave SE, Suite B, for deployment.

For information, call 253-929-1154

Those wishing to donate can make out checks to: Pacific/Algona Community Center, Flood relief fund, 100 Third Ave SE, Pacific, WA 98047

TOWN MEETING TUESDAY

A meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Alpac Elementary School, 310 Milwaukee Blvd., north Pacific, to explain how residents can acquire help in the aftermath of the some of area’s worst flooding in recent years. The school is at the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Ellingson Road.