2012 NATIONAL HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK, WE PLEDGE TO PREPARE

Oregon Office of Emergency Management IS A FORCE OF NATURE OEM is joining thousands around the country who are pledging to be a “Force of Nature” and taking action to prepare for the potential negative impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane season begins June 1 and extends through November 30, and as we saw last year with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, severe tropical weather can impact coastal and inland areas alike. Hurricanes and tropical storms are known for the unforgettable visuals we see on the news every year –trees bending due to high winds and heavy rains rendering TV cameras useless as they look over an abandoned beach. But in addition to these obvious effects, hurricanes and tropical storms can often disrupt life for those in coastal and inland areas through evacuations, prolonged power outages, and flooding. With these risks in mind, we ask that you join in pledging to be prepared for hurricane season by: • Knowing your risk: The first step to Being a Force of Nature is to understand how hurricanes and tropical storms can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and sign up for local alerts from emergency management officials and obtain a NOAA Weather Radio. • Taking action: Actions can be small, simple, and quick. You can pledge to develop an emergency plan based on your local hurricane, severe storm, and flooding hazard, and practice how and where you will evacuate if instructed by your emergency management officials. Post your plan in your home where visitors can see it. Learn how to strengthen your home and business against hurricanes. Download FEMA’s mobile app so you can access important safety tips on what to do before, during and after a hurricane. Understand the National Hurricane Center warning and alerts. • Being an example: Once you have taken action and pledged (or if you already have), share your story with your family and friends. Create a YouTube video, post your story on Facebook, comment on a blog, or send a tweet. Or you can even post the Be a Force of Nature widget on your social media profiles. Join us today and pledge to prepare during National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Get Ready for Flood Safety Awareness Week - March 14-18, 2011

Flooding is a coast to coast threat to the United States and its territories in all months of the year. National Flood Safety Awareness Week, from March 14 to 18 this year, is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property.

You can prepare yourself and help prepare your communities by educating yourself on the risks of flooding and the ways you can prepare and respond to flooding. Here are some resources to get you started: The Ready Campaign has a page dedicated to flood safety awareness at www.ready.gov/floodawareness.

FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program has a variety of resources at www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/. Also, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a Flood Safety page at www.floodsafety.noaa.gov. The DHS Center for Faith Based & Neighborhood Partnerships will hold a National Flood Awareness Safety Week Stakeholder conference call, Tuesday, March 15 from 12-1PM EST that will provide additional information on what it means to get ready for flood season. There is a limit of 300 people on the call.

Call-in information is: 1-888-391-6569 Pin # 8622712.

Find out more about being a StormReady community at http://www.stormready.noaa.gov/.

Massive Series of Storms Headed for Oregon

If you haven't already heard, there is a series of storms about to hit Oregon in what could be some of the largest storms we've had in years. The National Weather Service has issued a series of warnings for the Willamette Valley:

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=ORZ007&warncounty=ORC047&firewxzone=ORZ604&local_place1=3+Miles+SSE+Keizer+OR&product1=Flood+Watch

...FLOOD WATCH FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR

NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...

.A MOIST STORM SYSTEM AND WARM FRONT WILL BRING HEAVY RAIN TO
MUCH OF NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON ON SATURDAY...
WITH ADDITIONAL PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY. ON
SATURDAY...THE HEAVIEST RAIN IS LIKELY TO BE IN THE NORTH OREGON
COAST RANGE...WILLAPA HILLS...AND SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES...WITH
6-HOUR AMOUNTS AS HIGH AS 3 INCHES AND 24-HOUR AMOUNTS AS HIGH AS
6 INCHES. THERE IS AN EXPECTED BREAK IN THE RAINFALL ON SUNDAY...
AND THEN ANOTHER FRONT WILL BRING ADDITIONAL RAINFALL FROM SUNDAY
EVENING THROUGH MONDAY. FREEZING LEVELS WILL BE ABOVE 6000 FEET
FROM MID-DAY SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY. MANY RIVERS WILL RISE
SHARPLY SATURDAY...WITH FLOODING POSSIBLY AS EARLY AS LATE
SATURDAY AFTERNOON. FLOODING OF CREEKS AND PONDING IN URBAN AREAS
IS ALSO LIKELY.

...and...

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING FOR NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST
WASHINGTON...INCLUDING THE NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND
COAST RANGE...WILLAPA HILLS...INLAND VALLEYS OF NORTHWEST OREGON
AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...AND THE NORTH OREGON AND SOUTH
WASHINGTON CASCADES AND FOOTHILLS.

* FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY MORNING

* HEAVY RAIN SATURDAY WILL DRIVE RIVER LEVELS UP SHARPLY STARTING
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND INTO SUNDAY.

* SEVERAL RIVERS MAY REACH FLOOD STAGE AS EARLY AS SATURDAY
AFTERNOON...WITH THE FLOOD THREAT CONTINUING INTO MONDAY.

SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON RIVERS OF MOST CONCERN INCLUDE...
THE GRAYS RIVER IN WAHKIAKUM COUNTY
THE COWLITZ RIVER IN COWLITZ COUNTY

NORTHWEST OREGON RIVERS OF MOST CONCERN INCLUDE...
NEHALEM RIVER IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY
WILSON RIVER IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY
TRASK RIVER IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY
SILETZ RIVER IN LINCOLN COUNTY
UPPER TUALATIN RIVER IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
LUCKIAMUTE RIVER IN POLK AND BENTON COUNTIES
JOHNSON CREEK IN MULTNOMAH COUNTY
PUDDING RIVER IN CLACKAMAS AND MARION COUNTIES

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

LANDSLIDES AND DEBRIS FLOWS ARE POSSIBLE DURING THIS FLOOD EVENT.
PEOPLE...STRUCTURES AND ROADS LOCATED BELOW STEEP SLOPES...IN
CANYONS AND NEAR THE MOUTHS OF CANYONS MAY BE AT SERIOUS RISK
FROM RAPIDLY MOVING LANDSLIDES.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

THE NEXT UPDATE FOR THIS WATCH WILL BE ISSUED BY 5 AM PST SATURDAY.

At the same time, FEMA Region X has issued a statement regarding the incoming weather.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS PROMISES WET WEEKEND FOR OREGON AND WASHINGTON

SEATTLE—The National Weather Service has reported record rainfall in Portland and has issued flood watches for western Washington counties. Current projections include snow in higher elevations, switching to rain over the weekend that could well soak inland communities, and according to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, emergency managers across the region are carefully monitoring weather
effects.

“Our state and local governments have done solid work preparing for this year’s winter storms, updating their websites and working closely with radio, television, and print media to inform and advise the public,” said Murphy. “I urge our citizenry to heed winter warnings from local emergency managers, and to exercise extreme caution when utilizing alternative sources of heat, power and transportation.”

In commending residents to review and update emergency plans and inventory and replenish disaster kits, Murphy stressed that emergency power needs can rank right up there with food, water, first aid kits and shelter.

If the power goes out:
• Don’t call 9-1-1 for information—use your battery-powered radio for emergency bulletins.
• Plan on cell phones or corded phones for emergency calls. Cordless phones require electricity.
• Turn off major appliances to protect against surges when the power resumes.
• Turn off all lights but one (to alert you when the power comes back on).
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage.
• Be particularly careful with generators, and never operate them indoors.
• Flashlights and electric lanterns are safer than candles.

“We’re all vulnerable if disaster strikes while we are driving, and emergency kits in every car and truck can be real life savers,” continued Murphy. “Disaster driving is one part preparedness, one part common sense, and one-part learning from experience. Avoid driving in severe winter storms or heavy rains, and keep
vehicle fuel tanks full, just in case.”

When driving in dangerous weather is unavoidable, Murphy offers the following safety tips:

• If caught in a storm or blizzard, and your car is immobilized, stay in the vehicle and await rescue.

• Do not attempt to walk from the car unless you can see a definite safe haven at a reasonable distance. Turn on the auto engine for brief periods to provide heat, but always leave a down-wind window open slightly to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning (make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow). Leave the dome light on at night to signal rescuers, and exercise occasionally by clapping hands or moving around.

• Never attempt to drive through water on a road. Water can be deeper than it appears and water levels can rise quickly. Cars buoyed by flood-waters can float out of control. Wade through flood waters only if the water is not flowing rapidly and only in water no higher than the knees. If the car stalls in floodwater, get out quickly and move to higher ground (flood waters may still be rising and the car could be swept away.

• Auto emergency kits should contain as a minimum: blankets and warm clothing, booster cables and tools, bottled water, emergency rations, a first aid kit, flashlight and batteries, traction mats or chains, a shovel, and emergency prescription medications.

For information on FEMA’s Resolve to be Ready in 2011 initiative, Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, visit Ready.gov and CitizenCorps.gov.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

For more information about the weather forecast, you can go to www.weather.gov and click to your location to get the up-to-date weather forecast from the National Weather Service.

High Wind Warning on Thursday for Southern Oregon Coast

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for the Southern Oregon coast from Florence to Brookings.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A HIGH WINDWARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 10 PM PST THURSDAY. THEHIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.*

TIMING: THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH EVENING. THE HIGHEST WINDS ARE LIKELY DURING THE AFTERNOON TO EARLY EVENING HOURS.*

WINDS: SOUTH WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 35 TO 40 MPH WITH POSSIBLE GUSTS 55 TO 65 MPH. THE MAIN THREAT AREA IS FROM AROUND GOLD BEACH TO PORT ORFORD AND CAPE BLANCO. THE WINDS WILL TAPER BY LATE TOMORROW NIGHT.

The High Wind Watch from Florence to Astoria remains in effect.

Storm System to Hit North California and South Oregon

A series of winter storms are expected to batter California starting Sunday, and local forecasters say there likely will be significant amounts of rain and gusty winds in Southern Oregon and the Siskiyou Mountains, too.

National Weather Service forecasters in Medford said the weather system is expected to bring inches of rain and feet of snow to much of California, and it's large enough to reach at least as far north as the Siskiyous. Snow levels should be low enough to bring generous amounts of new snow to Mount Ashland and especially Mount Shasta.

A weather service advisory issued Friday in Sacramento spoke of "virtually a storm a day" from Sunday through next Friday, which could bring as much as 10 feet of snow in higher elevations of the Sierras by the end of next week.

The wet weather is expected to persist in the Siskiyous at least through Thursday, meteorologist Brett Lutz said.

You can read the whole article at http://m.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100116/NEWS/1160307&template=wapart

Updated weather

This afternoon/evening, Dec 11, Friday, it will , begin with snow and transition to freezing rain and rain by late Saturday and Sunday as it moves north. The main impacted areas are the Willamette Valley areas and the Gorge. The coast from south to north from today thru Sunday will experience freezing rain to snow. Coast range could get up to 8 inches on the east slopes. Storm should start to hit the Central Willamette Valley around 10 pm today, transition from snow to freezing rain and to rain by Sunday. The gorge could get 3-10 inches for snow with a transition to freezing rain by Saturday afternoon. Next week should have higher temperatures and rain. There is still some uncertainty with the amounts and types of precipitation.

Significant National Weather

A strong cold front will move into the coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest today. The Oregon headlands will see wind gusts up to 80mph while the ridge tops of the Sierras will see gusts up to 125 mph. Rain is expected from Washington to the northern San Joaquin Valley of Central California. An additional 6 to 8 inches of rain is forecast in the Olympic Peninsula while the rest of western Washington through the San Francisco Bay area may see rain totals of an inch or more.

The Cascades and the northern half of the Sierra Nevada will see heavy snow and gusty
winds; the strong winds will reach as far east as Idaho, Nevada and Utah. The storm will weaken on Saturday as it moves eastward through the Great Basin to the northern and central Rockies and mountain snow and gusty winds are expected. A second cold front will arrive Saturday night into Sunday, bringing more rain and snow from Washington, Oregon, and northern California to western sections of Montana and Wyoming.

A third cold front will move into Washington and Oregon early next week.

US Highway 101 Flooding South of Seaside

We just received a flash alert from ODOT that there is 10 inches of water on the US 101 highway, just south of Seaside.

http://www.tripcheck.com/popups/Cam.asp?camera=652&curRegion=1

You can check road conditions for other areas of Oregon at http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCmap.asp?curRegion=0&mainNav=RoadConditions

UPDATE (5:04 PM): US 101 is now closed south of Seaside. Crews report more than 1 foot of water covering the road.

Elevated Weather Alerts for Oregon

Today the National Weather Service has elevated the weather alerts for the incoming storm. There are more than a dozen alerts, and you can see them at http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/or.php?x=1

Here are the highlights:

▪ Surf advisory with breaker heights as high as 25-28 feet. Storm surge combined with the near-maximum lunar high tide will cause beach erosion and riptides farther inland then normal.
▪ Coastal winds 45-55MPH with gusts up to 85 MPH. Winds have already been reported to 80+MPH in certain areas.
▪ Inland winds are expected to be 25-35 MPH with gusts up to 45 MPH.
▪ Rainfall of 3-5 inches in northwest Oregon near the Willapa hills and North Oregon Coast Range.
▪ The Nehalem River is under flood watch, as well as urban streams in the northwest corner of Oregon.
▪ Oregon Coast is under flood watch due to heavy rains

The Speed of Social Media

Today a utility worker damaged power lines and knocked out power to a chunk of Clark County - 4800 people were without power.

http://www.koinlocal6.com/content/news/breakingnews/story/Power-outage-in-Clark-County/ib_sSireyE-FxNUXnziOZg.cspx?rss=1102

What is interesting is not the power service loss - the power company will quickly restore it and everyone will soon forget - but that social media has quickly reported this phenomenon. Over three hours ago KOIN news posted on their twitter and website that power was out, and OEM's own twitter re-tweeted it. But that same news won't be reported on tv news, radio or newspaper until this evening - long after the event has happened.

There have been numerous stories about regular Internet users being able to post information during disasters at times when officials do not have the resources to collect the information fast enough. Now we see traditional media quickly reporting news via Twitter!

Ironically, as I'm writing this article I find out through CNN that there may have been a tornado in Minneapolis. NOAA reported a possible tornado, but officials are still have not positively identified the storm as a tornado - merely a severe thunderstorm.

Right now it is 3:15 PM. A quick search on twitter for the hashtag #tornadompls found the following: http://twitpic.com/ei4nb This was photographed by a cell phone from a car and uploaded to twitpics 2 hours ago!

Myth Number 4 - It's too hard

"Good preparedness is too expensive and too complicated"

Nothing could be further from the truth. the problem is, we haven't made preparedness a part of our overall education. we get more preparedenss info on an airline flight than we get as citizens. most of us aren't taught that there are literally thousands of subtle, simple, and economical things we can do to drastically improve our emergency readiness. The notion that it might be expensive or complicated has come from companies that aggressively market high-prices unnecessary gear.

You can easily pick up one item each time you go to the grocery store. One week, a flashlight, next some energy bars, then handy wipes, jug of water, radio and batteries, matches, filter masks, a blanket, pet food, and whatever else your family can't do without. :-)

On the other hand, I personally was too lazy or busy or whatever to do this so did purchase a kit online at www.quakedog.com/emergencykits72. I found these kits to be the best and cheapest although I did not do an exhaustive search. I added my own medications and an extra set of clothes and it is in my trunk.

It is interesting that when we know a storm is coming, there is a run on the grocery store and we get prepared but when we don't know when a disaster will happen we leave it all to chance. Hmmm. Comments?