Pacific County prepares for tsunami debris

SOUTH BEND — The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency plans public forums Jan. 17 and 18 at Seaview, Ocean Park and Tokeland to help prepare residents for debris from the Japanese tsunami that might wash ashore on coastal beaches.

Representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, state Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, state Health Department and other agencies have been invited to answer questions.

Some large net floats that were apparently broken loose by the tsunami in March washed ashore last month near Neah Bay, at the northwest tip of Washington.

Experts say much more debris is likely to wash ashore on the West Coast in about a year.