Relocating An Entire Town To Avoid Continued Flooding

Residents of Hamilton, Washington are considering moving their town to higher ground. This community, located 80 miles northeast of Seattle has been repeatedly flooded by the Skagit River for more than a century. The most recent floods that forced rebuilding occured in 1990, 1995, 1996, 2003, and this year.

The Hamilton Public Development Authority estimates the cost to acquire 200 acres of land nearby will be $400 million, which they hope to raise from the state and federal governments.

Rather than move the town all at once, the transition to the new site would occur over a period of decades. As people moved from the old town their lots would simply cease to be developed and the land would remain part of the floodway.

Thanks to Jim Goetschius