Quinault Nation Faces Rising Sea Levels, Flooding

The Quinault Indian Nation in Washington is facing dire consequences as rising sea levels and increasing flooding threaten homes and civic buildings in Taholah, with waves sometimes surpassing a 15-foot seawall. Efforts to relocate residents to higher ground due to the encroaching Pacific Ocean have been ongoing for over a decade, but insufficient funding, falling far below the estimated $400 million needed, poses a significant challenge. The tribe is also confronted with the looming dangers of an earthquake and tsunami from a major offshore fault line, exacerbating the urgency of the situation.