Solar-Powered Tsunami Evacuation Tower Sparks Interest in Second Installation

The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe's solar-powered tsunami evacuation tower in Tokeland, Washington, completed in 2021, has become a model for disaster preparedness, prompting interest in a second similar structure. This groundbreaking project, the first of its kind in the United States, was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and implemented by Solar Electric Supply (SES), a leading provider of solar energy solutions.

The tower's success lies in its innovative backup power system, designed to provide emergency lighting and radio communications during a tidal wave event. The system, developed in collaboration with Degenkolb Engineering, features an outdoor-rated UPS power system with Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries by Discover Energy, offering 16 hours of emergency power for critical loads.

Lee Shipman, Shoalwater Bay Tribe Executive Director, emphasized the tower's importance: "This allows folks, even if it's 2:30 in the morning in your pajamas, to scoop up your family and make it here in a very short amount of time – in under a 15-minute window for nearly everyone from Tokeland Point to the heart of the reservation."

The 50-foot-tall structure is designed to withstand both earthquake and tsunami forces, based on extensive research by FEMA and NOAA. Its success has not gone unnoticed, with Major General Bret Daugherty, head of the Washington National Guard and state Military Department, stating, "We need about 50 more."

This project demonstrates the potential of renewable energy in critical infrastructure and disaster preparedness. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, such innovative solutions become increasingly vital. The interest in a second tower underscores the growing recognition of the need for sustainable, resilient infrastructure in vulnerable coastal communities.

The success of this project could pave the way for similar installations across coastal regions prone to tsunamis and other natural disasters. It highlights the intersection of renewable energy, disaster preparedness, and community safety, potentially influencing future policy decisions and infrastructure investments in high-risk areas.