For the third year, the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross will open emergency warming centers for Portland's homeless community when severe weather strikes.EMERGENCY WARMING CENTERS OPEN THIS WEEKEND:
.
Sunday, Dec. 6
9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Portland Foursquare Church
1303 SE AnkenyThe Red Cross anticipates being activated about 15 times this winter and serving up to 300 people each night.What Makes Warming Centers Different:Red Cross emergency warming centers differ from other homeless shelters in several ways:
Singles, couples and families are all welcome.
Guests can come and go as they please throughout the night.
Pets are welcome as long as there is a kennel available. While the centers will provide mats and blankets for guests, as well as hot drinks they differ from traditional Red Cross shelters in that beds, food, clothing and financial support will not be available.
Activation Requirements:The City of Portland will alert the Oregon Trail Chapter when they have confirmed that weather conditions meet the requirements of emergency warming center activation.
Notification should occur by 2 p.m. on the day in question.Under DRY conditions:
A single night at 22 degrees Fahrenheit or below
Three consecutive nights at 25 degrees Fahrenheit or below
32 degrees Fahrenheit or below and sustained wind of 15 mphUnder WET conditions:
32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, with 1 inch forecast accumulation of precipitation
32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, with sustained winds of 15 mph
1 inch of snow on the ground over most of PortlandWarming Center Locations:When activated, emergency warming centers MAY be located at:
Lents Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 8835 SE Woodstock Blvd
Portland Foursquare Church, 1303 SE AnkenyExpected hours of operation will be 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.More Information:To find out if the Red Cross emergency warming centers are operating:
Call 211Info (2-1-1 from a land line or 503-222-5555)
Call the Red Cross Info Line at 503-528-5990
Visit www.oregonredcross.orgTo volunteer, visit www.oregonredcross.org/EWCvolunteer. Orientations are currently scheduled for:Tuesday, Dec. 84-6 p.m.Oregon Trail Chapter3131 N. Vancouver Ave.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Preparedness Gift Ideas from FEMA
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Each and every year millions of American lives are disrupted by natural disasters ranging from earthquakes and tsunamis to floods and wildfire. But all disasters—large or small—share a common attribute: they focus attention on the importance of disaster preparedness and the critical need to take action before disaster strikes. The trick is to convert good intentions into good deeds, and according to Acting FEMA Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, there's no time like the holidays.
"Disaster-ready gifts can save lives, and are a wonderful way of welcoming in 2010," said Hunsinger. "Helping to better prepare neighbors, friends and loved ones for emergencies is a great way to say 'I care.'"
Emergency and preparedness items that might make great gifts this Holiday Season include:
NOAA Weather Radios and extra batteries.
Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class.
Smoke detectors.
Appropriate fire extinguishers (kitchen, garage, car).
Disaster kits for homes, offices and autos (first aid kits, food, water and prescription medications for 72 hours, extra clothing, blankets, flashlights).
Foldable ladders for second-story escape in a fire.
Car kits (emergency flares, shovels, ice scrapers, flashlights and fluorescent distress flags).
Pet Disaster Kits (food, water, leashes, dishes and carrying case or crate).
A camp stove with extra fuel.
The gift of a gardener to cut back combustible vegetation from wildfire-vulnerable homes.
National Flood Insurance.
A wealth of information and preparedness tips is available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's READY.GOV site at: www.ready.gov and from FEMA at: www.fema.gov.
Stay informed of FEMA's activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/femainfocus twitter.com/femaregion10 and on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/fema.
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.
Oregon Emergency Management encourages you to follow us on www.twitter.com/baileyjn
"Disaster-ready gifts can save lives, and are a wonderful way of welcoming in 2010," said Hunsinger. "Helping to better prepare neighbors, friends and loved ones for emergencies is a great way to say 'I care.'"
Emergency and preparedness items that might make great gifts this Holiday Season include:
NOAA Weather Radios and extra batteries.
Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class.
Smoke detectors.
Appropriate fire extinguishers (kitchen, garage, car).
Disaster kits for homes, offices and autos (first aid kits, food, water and prescription medications for 72 hours, extra clothing, blankets, flashlights).
Foldable ladders for second-story escape in a fire.
Car kits (emergency flares, shovels, ice scrapers, flashlights and fluorescent distress flags).
Pet Disaster Kits (food, water, leashes, dishes and carrying case or crate).
A camp stove with extra fuel.
The gift of a gardener to cut back combustible vegetation from wildfire-vulnerable homes.
National Flood Insurance.
A wealth of information and preparedness tips is available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's READY.GOV site at: www.ready.gov and from FEMA at: www.fema.gov.
Stay informed of FEMA's activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/femainfocus twitter.com/femaregion10 and on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/fema.
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.
Oregon Emergency Management encourages you to follow us on www.twitter.com/baileyjn
VERY COLD WEATHER WILL CONTINUE THIS WEEK OVER THE PACIFIC
A MODIFIED ARCTIC AIR MASS OVER SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST
OREGON WILL CONTINUE THIS WEEK. DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE NOT
EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FREEZING TODAY AND WEDNESDAY IN THE INLAND
VALLEYS...WHILE NIGHTTIME LOWS WILL BE AROUND 10 TO 15 DEGREES
TONIGHT. COASTAL AREAS WILL ALSO BE VERY COLD TONIGHT WITH LOW
TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER TEENS TO MID 20S...WHILE DAYTIME HIGHS
ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN IN THE 30S THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
A SLOW WARMING TREND IS EXPECTED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY BUT CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN
COLDER THAN NORMAL.
RESIDUAL NORTHEAST WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO DECREASE IN MOST AREAS TODAY. HOWEVER...SOME EAST WINDS ARE LIKELY AT TIMES IN THE WESTERN COLUMBIA GORGE THROUGH MUCH OF THE WEEK.
MODEL GUIDANCE CONTINUES TO INDICATE A TRANSITION OUT OF THE
ARCTIC AIR MASS THIS WEEKEND. THE INITIAL SYSTEM IS EXPECTED
AROUND FRIDAY NIGHT...WHICH MAY BRING SOME FREEZING RAIN TO THE
INTERIOR LOWLANDS FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING.
OREGON WILL CONTINUE THIS WEEK. DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE NOT
EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FREEZING TODAY AND WEDNESDAY IN THE INLAND
VALLEYS...WHILE NIGHTTIME LOWS WILL BE AROUND 10 TO 15 DEGREES
TONIGHT. COASTAL AREAS WILL ALSO BE VERY COLD TONIGHT WITH LOW
TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER TEENS TO MID 20S...WHILE DAYTIME HIGHS
ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN IN THE 30S THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
A SLOW WARMING TREND IS EXPECTED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY BUT CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN
COLDER THAN NORMAL.
RESIDUAL NORTHEAST WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO DECREASE IN MOST AREAS TODAY. HOWEVER...SOME EAST WINDS ARE LIKELY AT TIMES IN THE WESTERN COLUMBIA GORGE THROUGH MUCH OF THE WEEK.
MODEL GUIDANCE CONTINUES TO INDICATE A TRANSITION OUT OF THE
ARCTIC AIR MASS THIS WEEKEND. THE INITIAL SYSTEM IS EXPECTED
AROUND FRIDAY NIGHT...WHICH MAY BRING SOME FREEZING RAIN TO THE
INTERIOR LOWLANDS FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Prepare Now For Winter Storms - from the Red Cross
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon is prone to winter storms, and the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross urges residents to take steps now to stay safer when severe weather threatens.
"By preparing together for winter storms, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger," Eric Corliss, Director of Emergency Services said. "We can help you and your family create a disaster preparedness plan now, before our communities are threatened by dangerously low temperatures, snow, ice and strong winds."
As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for winter storms by:
Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit:
Pack a winter-specific supply kit that includes a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves, and water-resistant boots, along with extra blankets and extra warm clothing. Sand or non-clumping kitty litter is good to have on hand to help make walkways or steps less slippery. Additionally, make sure you have a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries in your home in the event of a power outage.
Heeding Storm Warnings:
A winter storm WATCH means winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions via NOAA Weather radio, or local radio or television stations. A winter storm WARNING means that life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. Individuals in a warning area should take precautions immediately.
Preparing Your Home and Car:
Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full, which will help to keep the fuel line from freezing. Make sure your home is properly insulated by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to help keep cold air out. Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year. Running water, even at a trickle, helps to prevent pipes from freezing.
For more winter storm safety tips, visit www.oregonredcross.org/winter. A free online preparedness course is also available at www.oregonredcross.org/beredcrossready.
"By preparing together for winter storms, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger," Eric Corliss, Director of Emergency Services said. "We can help you and your family create a disaster preparedness plan now, before our communities are threatened by dangerously low temperatures, snow, ice and strong winds."
As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for winter storms by:
Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit:
Pack a winter-specific supply kit that includes a warm coat, hat, mittens or gloves, and water-resistant boots, along with extra blankets and extra warm clothing. Sand or non-clumping kitty litter is good to have on hand to help make walkways or steps less slippery. Additionally, make sure you have a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries in your home in the event of a power outage.
Heeding Storm Warnings:
A winter storm WATCH means winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions via NOAA Weather radio, or local radio or television stations. A winter storm WARNING means that life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. Individuals in a warning area should take precautions immediately.
Preparing Your Home and Car:
Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full, which will help to keep the fuel line from freezing. Make sure your home is properly insulated by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to help keep cold air out. Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year. Running water, even at a trickle, helps to prevent pipes from freezing.
For more winter storm safety tips, visit www.oregonredcross.org/winter. A free online preparedness course is also available at www.oregonredcross.org/beredcrossready.
SEVERE WEATHER, PACIFIC NORTHWEST – [STEADY STATE]
A strong surface high pressure system over the interior of western Canada is pushing arctic air into western WA and OR bringing the coldest weather so far this season. The cold dry conditions are expected to continue through much of this week. A Freeze Warning remains in effect until 2300 PST today and a Freeze Watch remains in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning along the south central Oregon Coast
Weathering the Winter Season - know the terms
Weathering the Winter Season
It’s important to understand the differences behind National Weather Service’s advisories, watches and warnings.
An advisory is a “heads-up” that conditions are likely for dangerous weather. Advisories are issued when weather conditions will cause a significant inconvenience and, if ignored, could lead to hazardous consequences.
A watch is stronger than an advisory. It tells you that hazardous weather is likely in the next 12-48 hours. Watches are issued to give you time to prepare and plan for weather threats. When a watch is issued, it’s prudent to listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and check the forecast frequently atNOAA’s National Weather Service Web site (http://www.weather.gov/).
A warning means a threat is occurring or is imminent, and you need to take protective action.
Pay close attention to weather forecasts and listen for advisories, watches and warnings like these:
• Winter Weather Advisory – Expect two or more of the following weather conditions: snow,
freezing rain or drizzle, sleet or blowing snow. Be prepared for hazardous driving conditions.
• Winter Storm Watch – In the next 12-48 hours, severe winter weather conditions are favorable for heavy snow, blizzard conditions, freezing rain or sleet.
• Winter Storm Warning – This means that severe weather is imminent or has already begun.
Expect any combination of heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet and strong winds.
• Blizzard Warning – Blizzards are the most dangerous winter storms. A blizzard is heavy snow and strong winds (35 mph or greater) that combine to produce blinding snow with near zero visibility, deep drifts, and a life-threatening wind chill. (http://www.noaa.gov/features/03_protecting/index.html)
It’s important to understand the differences behind National Weather Service’s advisories, watches and warnings.
An advisory is a “heads-up” that conditions are likely for dangerous weather. Advisories are issued when weather conditions will cause a significant inconvenience and, if ignored, could lead to hazardous consequences.
A watch is stronger than an advisory. It tells you that hazardous weather is likely in the next 12-48 hours. Watches are issued to give you time to prepare and plan for weather threats. When a watch is issued, it’s prudent to listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and check the forecast frequently atNOAA’s National Weather Service Web site (http://www.weather.gov/).
A warning means a threat is occurring or is imminent, and you need to take protective action.
Pay close attention to weather forecasts and listen for advisories, watches and warnings like these:
• Winter Weather Advisory – Expect two or more of the following weather conditions: snow,
freezing rain or drizzle, sleet or blowing snow. Be prepared for hazardous driving conditions.
• Winter Storm Watch – In the next 12-48 hours, severe winter weather conditions are favorable for heavy snow, blizzard conditions, freezing rain or sleet.
• Winter Storm Warning – This means that severe weather is imminent or has already begun.
Expect any combination of heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet and strong winds.
• Blizzard Warning – Blizzards are the most dangerous winter storms. A blizzard is heavy snow and strong winds (35 mph or greater) that combine to produce blinding snow with near zero visibility, deep drifts, and a life-threatening wind chill. (http://www.noaa.gov/features/03_protecting/index.html)
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