UW scientists, researchers help coastal towns prepare for disaster



The small town of Westport in Grays Harbor County is known for its sandy beaches, sprawling marina and century-old fishing industry. But its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and shifting tectonic plates along the coastline bring the risk of a tsunami. A team of University of Washington researchers and scientists in mathematics, the Washington Sea Grant and the College of Built Environments are helping the town and other coastal communities prepare for a tsunami and other associated risks, including sea-level rise.