High tides and possible flooding are looming and the city of Coos Bay is taking precautions.

With unusually high tides due at the end of the month, councilors Tuesday night heard from Fire Chief Stan Gibson about the preparations under way and city efforts to work with the Coos County Emergency Management office. According to Gibson, on Jan. 28, high tide is estimated to be about 8.8 feet and will rise through Jan. 31. As some homes and businesses along Coalbank Slough and in Englewood are less than 9 feet above sea level, the city is preparing for more flooding.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will assist Coos County and Coos Bay, if the Englewood and Libby dikes are breached during the unusually hightides, but the city is not willing to wait until disaster strikes and is preparing for the worst, City Manager Scott McClure said.

“We're looking at creating a berm across Southwest Boulevard. We are considering using sandbags or just dirt,” McClure said. “This will protect the homes on Illinois Avenue, and basically try to keep Southwest Boulevard open.”

According to McClure, the berm would be placed just north of Illinois Avenue will be about 100 feet long, up to 9 feet wide and 3 feet high. The berm would not close Southwest Boulevard, but would be placed on the east side of the roadway and into the street a bit, McClure said.

“It will hopefully keep (the water) from crossing the roadway and flooding the homes nearby,” he said.

“We know we don't have enough personnel to sandbag every affected home,” Gibson said Tuesday. “That's why we're doing what we can, to help the homeowner to do what they need, in order to protect their homes.”

The city has made arrangements with local merchants to make sandbags and sand available to homeowners and businesses in the areas at risk for flooding (See sidebar).

McClure warned sandbags rot easily once they have been wet, and that people may need more bags than they think. He also encouraged residents to be as prepared as possible in the event of flooding.

“If you were exposed last time, you will probably be exposed this time,” McClure said. “I would encourage everyone to take whatever actions necessary to protect your homes.”

McClure also warned drivers to use care when driving through standing water, and to slow down in areas where the car might cause a wake and water to splash up into buildings or businesses.