West Seattle storm: Weather takes a bite out of Alki Beach

First came the north winds whipping up wild waves last Sunday – then the snow and even-stronger wind last night – and this morning along Alki Beach, this is what it revealed. Jim Mercure photographed the startling scene on the shore, saying he “was shocked to see the massive amount of erosion of the shoreline.” (Note the fire ring that’s now with the driftwood instead of up on the sand.)

The phenomenon also was noticed by Alki resident Russ Walker, who noted in e-mail, with a photo link, “Went outside for the first time not long ago to find 2 ft of elevation gone from the beach. I expected some erosion, but not this much. The stairs down to the beach now end about 18 inches short of the sand. And I see more old pier posts that haven’t been exposed in the 20 months we’ve been living here.” Lucky the weather is relatively calm (albeit cold) tonight, since the second-highest tide of the month peaks just after 7 tomorrow morning.

Diane November 23, 2010 (10:21 pm)

dang, that drop off & logs is where I usually hang out at the beach, with all the families and babies

alkigirl November 24, 2010 (12:07 am)

I just want to say a huge THANK YOU for your incredible commitment to 24/7 coverage that helps us all navigate every day, and especially during snow and ice. Please keep safe WSB team!

Caroline November 24, 2010 (8:42 am)

I’ve lived near Alkai for 20 years and the sand comes and goes. I’ve seen it that much below the steps before. It will come back.

dawsonct November 24, 2010 (11:09 am)

Yeah, that’s what I thought Caroline. Beaches usually loose sand in the Winter, and regain it in the Summer. I don’t think this is unusual at all.

Richard December 2, 2010 (6:56 pm)

When the extremes to the season, and or occasional strong northwinds during the winter,pound on this side of the beach, it looks dramatic. Even during a regularly normal year, it is normal for the beach, shore, sand to change its appearnce as sand gets pulled out during this time of year. Years ago, some sand was brought in and placed above where the driftwood usually builds up, in the soft area where the volleyball courts are now. For those of you who might not know, the reason for the north side of the Point along this stretch of beach is so sandy and evident during a low tide, vs. the “rocky beach on the south side of the Point/Beach Drive….. is because of the sediment that collects along shore that is washed downstream from the Duwamish River, and is captured by the curve of the Point. Next class, we’ll talk about the fault line that runs along Admiral Way, and how the west end of Admiral Way above the Lighthouse, and the hillside due east at Schmitz Park, once had water from the Sound lapping up against them.

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