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The Washington coast will soon have its second tsunami refuge — the first being the Ocosta Elementary School near Westport — now that federal funding of $2.2 million has been approved to help build a vertical evacuation tower for the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in Tokeland (bit.ly/shoaltower).

The steel structure, designed by Degenkolb Engineers to accommodate almost 400 people, will have two platforms that are 40 and 50 feet above grade, higher than the anticipated wave height of 32 feet, and its pilings will go down 45 to 50 feet.

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Elleda Wilson is an editorial assistant for The Astorian and author of the award-winning In One Ear community column. Contact her at 971-704-1718 or ewilson@dailyastorian.com.