Gas Leak Over--1140 on 4/23/10

The leak in Scappoose has ended. All areas but Eifall Place, where the leak originated, are open. The Scappoose Middle School is back open. Thanks for your cooperation!

Emergency Management

Gas Leak Update--1118 on 4/23/10

The leak has been stopped, but crews are checking the area for leftover gas. Please remain out of the area at this time and stay in your homes or businesses if nearby.

Thanks,

Emergency Management

Scappoose Gas Leak 4/23/10 1030

There is a gas leak in Scappoose near the Middle School. Scappoose Fire and Police are working the scene and utility crews are getting things stopped. Please try to stay out of the area and remain in your homes or businesses at this time with doors and windows closed. There is no fire danger at this time. Unless there is an absolute emergency, please do not call 911!

Thanks,

Emergency Management

Exercises Throughout Columbia County

Columbia County Emergency Management and its partners will be participating in various earthquake disaster exercises during the last week of April. Here's a schedule of exercises where people may see increased activity from emergency responders and others:

* Scappoose--Wednesday, April 28th between 9-11 AM. Fire and law enforcement responders will be exercising at Otto Petersen School. Traffic may be impacted on city streets near the school during this time period, but it should not impact US 30.

* St. Helens and Columbia City--Thursday, April 29th between 6:30-8:30 PM. Fire and law enforcement responders as well as Columbia City officials and amateur radio operators will be drilling at the St. Helens Fire Station and Columbia City Hall, respectfully.

Citizens should not be alarmed when seeing emergency responders working in these areas during these times. For more information, please contact Columbia County Emergency Management at 503-366-3931 or emergency.management@co.columbia.or.us .

Flood Insurance Re-Authorized

The National Flood Insurance Program has been extended through May 31st. It is anticipated that a longer re-authorization from Congress will be discussed in the coming weeks.

Derek White, Columbia County Emergency Management

NFIP Extended Until 5/31; Vote Looms On New Bill

NU Online News Service, April 16, 2010

WASHINGTON—Congress finally approved legislation last night that reinstated the National Flood Insurance Program. President Obama signed the measure into law within an hour after the House passed the measure.

The provision is effective until May 31.

It is retroactive from March 28, when the fourth temporary extension since the program’s authorization originally ran out on Sept. 30, 2008.

Officials of the American Insurance Association said the goal of congressional leadership is to finish work by May 31 on a so-called tax extender’s bill, H.R. 4213, “thus precluding the need for another short-term extension of the NFIP.”

Blain Rethmeier, an AIA spokesman, added that, "Families living in flood prone areas can now obtain the coverage they need and move on with their lives. We're glad the program has been extended and look forward to working with Congressional leaders to enact more meaningful reform rather than continuing to pass extension after extension."

That bill would extend the NFIP through Dec. 31, 2010.

According to officials of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, “in theory, the NFIP will now return to normal operations and since the extension is also retroactive, any new policy applications or renewals that were signed and submitted during the hiatus will be effective from the date of application (or in the case of waiting periods, the waiting period will start from the date of application).”

April At-Risk Populations Working Group Meeting

The Columbia County At-Risk Populations Working Group aims to address the needs of those in our community who may require additional emergency preparedness planning or response assistance due to a variety of conditions. The definition of at-risk populations, as determined by the group, is:

“Persons who because of age-related, cognitive, mental, physical, and/or social disabilities are unable to assist or care for themselves during an emergency and will likely require some type of assistance.”

Group activities include discussions on community plans and resources, reviews of facility planning procedures, sharing of “lessons learned”, and much more!

Join Us At Our Next Meeting:
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
Columbia 911, 58611 McNulty Way in St. Helens
10-Noon

For more information, contact:

Derek White--Emergency Management at 503-366-3931 or Derek.White@co.columbia.or.us
Anne Parrott—Public Health at 503-397-4651, ext. 222 or aparrott@chdpublichealth.com

Wind Advisory for Columbia County

Wind advisory until 6 PM this evening for the US 30 corridor of Columbia County, including the cities of St. Helens, Scappoose, Columbia City, Rainier, Prescott and Clatskanie. Other areas of the county could see winds as well, but they are not included in this advisory.

Please travel safely.

Derek White

Emergency Management

503-366-3931

emergency.management@co.columbia.or.us

>>> EWARN-4/5/2010 4:11 PM >>

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
411 PM PDT MON APR 5 2010

ORZ005>008-WAZ022-039-060100-
/O.NEW.KPQR.WI.Y.0005.100405T2311Z-100406T0100Z/
LOWER COLUMBIA-GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-
CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-I-
5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. HELENS...HILLSBORO...OREGON CITY...
GRESHAM...SALEM...EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...LONGVIEW...
KELSO...BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL
411 PM PDT MON APR 5 2010

..WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY...CLARK COUNTY...LOWER COLUMBIA...AND I-5
CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY...CLARK COUNTY...LOWER COLUMBIA...AND I-5
CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY.

* WINDS: 25 TO 35 MPH GUSTING TO 45 MPH.

* TIMING: UNTIL 6 PM.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...SALEM...
HILLSBORO...OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...ST. HELENS...BATTLE
GROUND...WASHOUGAL...LONGVIEW...KELSO

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS ARE FORECAST TO BE
31 TO 39 MPH OR GUSTS WILL RANGE BETWEEN 45 AND 57 MPH. WINDS OF
THESE MAGNITUDES MAY CAUSE MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE WITHOUT EXTRA
PRECAUTIONS. MOTORISTS IN HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES SHOULD USE
CAUTION UNTIL THE WINDS SUBSIDE.

&&

$$

www.weather.gov/

Weather Alerts for Friday, April 2nd in Columbia County

Now a High Wind Warning and a Winter Weather Advisory has now been issued for the Vernonia, Mist and Birkenfeld areas from 6 AM to 5 PM Friday. During this period, sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts up to 65-70 MPH are expected.

Also, a Wind Advisory has been issued for the rest of Columbia County, specifically the US 30 corridor, from 7 AM to 5 PM Friday.

See the information from the National Weather Service below for more details.

Derek White

Columbia County Emergency Management

503-366-3905

Derek.White@co.columbia.or.us

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
135 PM PDT THU APR 1 2010

...ANOTHER STRONG FRONT IS HEADING FOR THE COAST EARLY FRIDAY...

.A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE NORTHEAST
PACIFIC LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. THIS SYSTEM WILL
DRIVE A STRONG WARM FRONT ONSHORE INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST LATE
TONIGHT FOR WINDY CONDITIONS ALONG THE COAST. HOWEVER THE
POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS WILL OCCUR ALONG THE COAST AND IN THE
COAST RANGE MOUNTAINS AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES ONSHORE AROUND
DAYBREAK FRIDAY MORNING. ADDITIONALLY...AS THE SURFACE LOW MOVES
INLAND FRIDAY MORNING BRISK WINDS WILL DEVELOP IN THE WILLAMETTE
VALLEY.

ORZ003-004-WAZ020-020445-
/O.UPG.KPQR.HW.A.0008.100402T1400Z-100402T2200Z/
/O.NEW.KPQR.HW.W.0008.100402T1300Z-100403T0000Z/
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-
CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-WILLAPA HILLS-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...VERNONIA
135 PM PDT THU APR 1 2010

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 5 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR
THE WILLAPA HILLS AND THE NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST RANGE...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 5 PM PDT FRIDAY. THE
HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 30 TO 40 MPH EARLY
FRIDAY MORNING WITH GUSTS UP TO 65 TO 70 MPH...PRIMARILY ALONG
RIDGE TOPS AND EXPOSED TERRAIN.

* TIMING...STRONG WINDS WILL BEGIN AFFECTING THE COASTAL MOUNTAINS
AROUND 6 AM FRI MORNING. PEAK WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS
AS HIGH AS 65 MPH ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR AROUND 8 AM...THOUGH
POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WIND GUSTS COULD LAST INTO EARLY FRIDAY
AFTERNOON.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE...WILLAPA...FRANCES...VERNONIA...SUNSET
SUMMIT...LEES CAMP...GRANDE RONDE...VENETA...AND MAPLETON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS
OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

+++++++++++

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
135 PM PDT THU APR 1 2010

...ANOTHER STRONG FRONT IS HEADING FOR THE COAST EARLY FRIDAY...

.A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE NORTHEAST
PACIFIC LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. THIS SYSTEM WILL
DRIVE A STRONG WARM FRONT ONSHORE INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST LATE
TONIGHT FOR WINDY CONDITIONS ALONG THE COAST. HOWEVER THE
POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS WILL OCCUR ALONG THE COAST AND IN THE
COAST RANGE MOUNTAINS AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES ONSHORE AROUND
DAYBREAK FRIDAY MORNING. ADDITIONALLY...AS THE SURFACE LOW MOVES
INLAND FRIDAY MORNING BRISK WINDS WILL DEVELOP IN THE WILLAMETTE
VALLEY.

ORZ005>008-WAZ022-039-020445-
/O.NEW.KPQR.WI.Y.0004.100402T1400Z-100403T0000Z/
LOWER COLUMBIA-GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-
CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-I-
5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. HELENS...HILLSBORO...OREGON CITY...
GRESHAM...SALEM...EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...LONGVIEW...
KELSO...BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL
135 PM PDT THU APR 1 2010

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR THE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY...INCLUDING THE GREATER PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER
METRO AREAS...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 5 PM PDT FRIDAY.

* WINDS: SOUTH WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 25 TO 35 WITH LOCAL GUSTS AS
HIGH AS 50 MPH.

* TIMING: STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR WITH AND BEHIND
THE COLD FRONT...WHICH IS EXPECTED TO PASS THROUGH THE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY LATE FRIDAY MORNING. PEAK WINDS SHOULD OCCUR
BETWEEN 10 AM AND 3 PM.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...SALEM...
PORTLAND...HILLSBORO...OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...ST.
HELENS...VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL...
LONGVIEW...AND KELSO

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS ARE FORECAST TO BE
31 TO 39 MPH OR GUSTS WILL RANGE BETWEEN 45 AND 57 MPH. WINDS OF
THESE MAGNITUDES MAY CAUSE MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE WITHOUT EXTRA
PRECAUTIONS. MOTORISTS IN HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES SHOULD USE
CAUTION UNTIL THE WINDS SUBSIDE.

+++++++++++++

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
128 PM PDT THU APR 1 2010

...MAJOR LATE SEASON WINTER STORM EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
FRIDAY NIGHT...

.THE CALENDAR MAY SAY IT IS APRIL...BUT PERHAPS OUR LARGEST AND
MOST WIDESPREAD WINTER WEATHER EVENT OF THE CALENDAR YEAR IS
BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND IS AIMING FOR
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL RAPIDLY
DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...AND MEANWHILE WILL TAP INTO
ABUNDANT MOISTURE OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN. SNOW LEVELS WILL START
OUT LOW ACROSS THE DISTRICT...AROUND 1000 TO 1500 FEET...AS
PRECIPITATION SPREADS INTO SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST
OREGON AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. A WARM FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH
AROUND MIDDAY FRIDAY...QUICKLY RAISING SNOW LEVELS TO 3000 TO 4000
FEET FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HOWEVER A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL FOLLOW
LATER FRIDAY AFTERNOON...DROPPING THE SNOW LEVELS BACK DOWN TO
1000 TO 1500 FEET BY LATE FRIDAY NIGHT. CONDITIONS WILL BE WINDY
WITH PRECIPITATION HEAVY AT TIMES LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY
NIGHT... PRODUCING NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH BLOWING AND
DRIFTING OF SNOW WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING.

WITH SNOW LEVELS STARTING OFF AND THEN ENDING SO LOW WITH THIS
EVENT...NEARLY ALL THE HIGHER TERRAIN ABOVE 1000 FEET IN ELEVATION
WILL BE IMPACTED BY SOME SORT OF WINTER WEATHER DURING THIS EVENT.

ORZ003-WAZ020-020515-
/O.NEW.KPQR.WW.Y.0013.100402T0800Z-100402T1500Z/
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-WILLAPA HILLS-
128 PM PDT THU APR 1 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 8 AM PDT FRIDAY
ABOVE 1500 FEET FOR THE NORTHWEST OREGON COAST RANGE AND WILLAPA
HILLS...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY ABOVE 1500 FEET FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 1 AM TO 8 AM PDT FRIDAY.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL DEVELOP SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT...THEN
INCREASE IN INTENSITY EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. PRECIPITATION WILL
CHANGE TO RAIN AS WARMER AIR MOVES BY THE MIDDLE OF FRIDAY
MORNING.

* SNOW LEVELS...SNOW LEVELS WILL START OFF BETWEEN 1000 TO 1500
FEET TONIGHT...THEN QUICKLY RISE ABOVE 2500 FEET AFTER A WARM
FRONT MOVES THROUGH SHORTLY AFTER SUNRISE FRIDAY.

* ACCUMULATIONS...A QUICK 2 TO 6 INCHES FRIDAY MORNING BEFORE
PRECIPITATION CHANGES TO RAIN.

* IMPACTS...A BRIEF PERIOD OF ACCUMULATING SNOW IS LIKELY FRIDAY
MORNING ON SOME OF THE HIGHER COAST RANGE PASSES...ESPECIALLY
ALONG THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS OF HIGHWAY 26 THROUGH THE COAST
RANGE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS

High Wind Watch for Columbia County 4/2/10

High wind watch for the Vernonia, Mist and Birkenfeld areas and upper elevations of Columbia County for Friday, April 2nd. Information from the National Weather Service is posted below.

Derek White

Emergency Management

503-366-3905

Derek.White@co.columbia.or.us

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
845 AM PDT THU APR 1 2010

..ANOTHER STRONG FRONT IS HEADING FOR THE COAST EARLY FRIDAY...

.A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE NORTHEAST
PACIFIC EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. THIS SYSTEM WILL DRIVE A STRONG WARM
FRONT ONSHORE INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST LATE TONIGHT FOR BREEZY
CONDITIONS ALONG THE COAST. HOWEVER THE POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS
WILL OCCUR AS THE COLD FRONT MOVES ONSHORE AROUND DAYBREAK FRIDAY
MORNING. FURTHERMORE...THE POSSIBILITY OF STRONG WINDS IN THE
HIGHER TERRAIN OF THE COASTAL MOUNTAINS IS ALSO INCREASING.

ORZ003-004-WAZ020-020000-
/O.EXB.KPQR.HW.A.0008.100402T1400Z-100402T2200Z/
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-
CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-WILLAPA HILLS-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...VERNONIA
845 AM PDT THU APR 1 2010

..HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON FOR THE WILLAPA HILLS AND THE NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON
COAST RANGE...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON.

* WINDS...SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS MAY INCREASE TO 30 TO 40 MPH
EARLY FRIDAY MORNING WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 70 MPH
POSSIBLE...PRIMARILY ALONG RIDGE TOPS AND EXPOSED TERRAIN.

* TIMING...STRONG WINDS WILL BEGIN AFFECTING THE COASTAL MOUNTAINS
AROUND 5 AM FRI MORNING. THE STRONGEST WINDS EXPECTED TO OCCUR
AROUND 8 AM...THOUGH POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WIND GUSTS COULD LAST
INTO EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE...WILLAPA...FRANCES...VERNONIA...SUNSET
SUMMIT...LEES CAMP...GRANDE RONDE...VENETA...AND MAPLETON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS
HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH...OR GUSTS OF
58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.