‘It’s a Pretty Gray Day’: Chehalis, Quinault Tribes Respond to Flooding 

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Leaders with the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the Quinault Indian Nation gave an update Thursday morning during a Chehalis Basin Board meeting on how the independent Tribes were responding to news of flooding. 

Glen Connelly, director of natural resources for the Chehalis Reservation, said three-quarters of their reservation is in the flood zone and they are diligently working to respond to rising rivers and tributaries. The Chehalis River is expected to hit major flood stage at Grand Mound.  

Some major thoroughfares into the reservation — including Anderson Road Southwest, the main north-south route into the village — is expected to be overtopped with water. 

The Lucky Eagle Casino was expected to close, Connelly said. 



Tyson Johnston, with the Quinault Indian Nation, said the Tribe recently experienced a massive surge to its seawall. 

On top of inundating tidal flood water, Johnston said the Quinaults were also fighting the “worst wave of COVID” since the pandemic began.

“There’s a lot happening here, and our thoughts and hearts and prayers have been with everyone that’s been dealing with the flooding and natural disasters that only seem to be getting worse at this time of the year. It’s a pretty gray day here out at the Quinault Indian Nation,” Johnston said.

-- Eric Rosane, ericr@chronline.com