Serious cleanup is underway across the Birch Bay area in Whatcom County from Thursday’s powerful storm. Dramatic waves fueled by wild winds slammed into a waterfront restaurant there—Bay Breeze Restaurant and Bar.
Winds, waves and high tide sent water crashing into the business around lunch time.
On Friday, all the windows were boarded up. Work crews were busy clearing away all the debris inside the restaurant — even a log.
Employee Sue Maconaghie worked there in 2013 when the restaurant was hit hard by waves. She was also there yesterday afternoon when it happened again.
“The water was literally gushing in, all the way across the room, hitting the ceilings and the floors at the same time,” said Maconaghie.
“To see this devastation like this, in such a new place — that’s just such a heart breaker, especially for the people working here,” said customer Russ Gregord.
A lot of loyal customers — like the guy you just heard from — have been stopping by to take a closer look at all the damage.
The restaurant owner was here. He didn’t want to comment. Many customers hope he’ll rebuild.
This is not the first time the restaurant has flooded after a massive storm. It happened once before about 5 years ago.
Whatcom County Undersheriff Jeff Parks said Birch Bay was the hardest hit area in Whatcom County because of all the water.
The County Executive and Public Works Director toured the damage around Birch Bay Friday. It’s estimated that $1 million worth of damage was done to the roadways.
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