As swells up to 30 feet pounded the Ocean Shores jetty last Thursday, one or more of the huge waves washed driftwood into the south dunes, through the walk-in beach approach and onto Ocean Shores Boulevard.

At the same time, the high surf was causing further erosion damage to the Damon Point area. The Ocean Shores City Council on Jan. 8 extended a six-month moratorium on new development in the area around the jetty because of continued problems with shoreline erosion caused by past storms. The city had been assessing the impact over the weekend, when a second high-surf advisory was issued through Sunday afternoon.

“There were three areas of concern for us,” Mayor Crystal Dingler said. “Erosion at the Quinault RV park near Damon Point — three RV spots have been lost this year as the erosion continues there; 2) east of the sewer plant — erosion continues there (not a threat at this time but a concern); 3) the emergency vehicle road at the jetty had run-up of waves, which spewed down onto Ocean Shores Blvd., carrying sand, logs and debris.”

Public Works Director Nick Bird said the recent damage was “not significantly larger than what we experienced in December of last year. But the bottom line is we noticed some significant erosion at the jetty beach access.”

The Geotube sand-filled barriers north of the jetty held up “fairly well,” Bird said, but added: “We have new problem areas.” Those areas are the erosion near the Quinault Marina and the jetty beach access approach. Also, there was a “substantial amount of water” that came over the jetty into an area around the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

“Other than that, we just lost a large amount of sand.”

Scott D. Johnston photo: The high surf surge washed driftwood and debris onto Ocean Shores Boulevard.

Scott D. Johnston photo: Waves rise high above the jetty and the cars parked to watch the surf.

Scott D. Johnston photo: Storm watchers got a mighty view of Mother Nature on Thursday at the Ocean Shores jett.