Narrator: For the moment, the Pacific Ocean’s calm demeanor masked a hidden threat of huge earthquake driven waves created by an offshore fault. 

Charlene Nelson: “And we work together to save lives.” 

Narrator: And on land belonging to the Shoalwater Bay tribe. This groundbreaking is years in the making to be ready for the day when the waves come. A small patch of land being cleared for this: A tower capable of providing refuge above those waves, protecting a minimum of 400 people. Even double that shoulder to shoulder. Charlene Nelson is the tribe’s chairwoman.

Charlene Nelson: “But just getting to safety so you’re alive is the main thing.” 

Narrator: So let’s judge some heights based on the tsunami siren that is already here. I’m almost six feet tall. The wave would be about 10 feet tall, maybe higher. The tower would have two decks, one at 40 feet above ground level, the other one at 50 feet above ground level.

Maximilian Dixon: “And we’re looking at 50 plus vertical evacuation structures for all coastal Washington.” 

Narrator: Maximilian Dixon leads the Hazards Outreach program for state emergency management. One of those structures is already standing the roof of the new Acosta school. Acosta an example of a dual use building a gymnasium with that tall roof and four sets of wide stairs that people can reach it. But the Shoalwater Bay tsunami tower could become the model for dozens more like it, and not just for what it looks like, but how its funded. Amanda Siok is Earthquake Program manager for FEMA Region 10. 

Amanda Siok: “Now that we have the process figured out how to get it through the system, there’s gonna be a lot more in the future.”

Narrator: But the person who got the ball rolling for the tribe is Lee Shipman, a member and now retired emergency manager. 

Lee Shipman: “The tribe had put money aside already for, uh, to start the tower. So that’s one of the reasons that we were able to get the grant funding.”

Narrator: By some estimates, this site could see waves of 16 feet. The tower should be standing and ready to save lives before the end of this year.

In Tokeland Glen Farley King Five News.