OAK HARBOR, Wash. — Portions of Whidbey Island’s Deception Pass State Park suffered significant storm damage after high winds and massive waves earlier this week.
A local hiker, Susan McClung, said waves destroyed parts of the parking lot at West Beach. The waves and wind also damaged a memorial bench and picnic benches. It doesn't appear a shelter was damaged.
"It wasn't just the strength. It was the direction. Wind gusts were clocked at up to 64 miles per hour," McClung said.
Washington State Parks has closed the West Beach area and strongly encourages the public to stay out of the closed areas for their safety and the safety of staff. Limited parking is available at the Cranberry Lake Campground entrance.
McClung, who has been going to the park for more than 50 years, said she and her husband haven't seen anything like it.
“Never ever. We had driven to the park expecting to see probably some downed trees, which has happened before. But as we drove along the road and then started our hike, we didn't actually see a whole lot of we didn't see any down trees. There were a few branches down, but that's it. But at the beach, oh, my,” McClung said.
Washington State Parks said once the weather clears, crews will be able to better assess the damage and determine the next steps and timelines.
Deception Pass storm damage
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