Small Business Assistance Now Available

Sacramento, CA – Small, non-farm businesses in Washington County and the neighboring counties of Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, Tillamook and Yamhill are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). “These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by freezing temperatures that occurred in Washington County from December 1, 2009 through December 13, 2009,” announced Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center West.

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Judd said.

Small, non-farm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4%, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private, non-profits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Judd said.

By law, SBA makes EIDLs available when the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. Secretary Tom Vilsack declared this disaster at the request of Governor Ted Kulongoski.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency (FSA) about the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration.

Information and application forms are available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877 8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Cooking in the Dark Class

From our friends in Cowlitz County....

Please join us on Saturday, September 18^th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Longview Women’s Club (835 21^st Ave) for a Cooking in the Dark emergency preparedness class. This is a great class taught by Marcie Maynes, a well-trained and enthusiastic instructor who is the owner of Simple Safety.

This class teaches you:

*How to prepare food without power for up to two weeks

*Proper long-term water and food storage

*What non-food items are necessary for survival

*Much, much more!

There will be several drawings for emergency supply items. Light refreshments will be served and feel free to bring a sack lunch. The flyer with all the information is attached. This is a free class and spaces will fill up fast—if you are interested in attending, please call or email me. Thanks!

Jennifer Engkraf

Emergency Management

Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office

312 SW First Avenue

Kelso, WA 98626

Phone (360) 577-3130

Fax (360) 577-3009

Fire Weather Warning Today

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather warning for Columbia county from 7:14 am to 11:00 pm today.

The full text of the warning is posted below.

For more information, visit http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov/weather/alertinfo/672493.
++++++++++++++++++

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
714 AM PDT TUE AUG 24 2010

...COMBINATION OF HOT...DRY...AND UNSTABLE CONDITIONS...GUSTY
OFFSHORE WINDS...AND CRITICALLY DRY FUELS OVER INLAND AREAS OF
NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON TODAY...

.A THERMAL TROUGH EXTENDING NORTHWARD ALONG THE OREGON AND
WASHINGTON COAST THIS MORNING IS COMBINING WITH HIGH PRESSURE EAST
OF THE CASCADES TO GENERATE GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS...ESPECIALLY OVER
THE HIGHER TERRAIN. AS THE DAY PROGRESSES...THESE WINDS WILL MIX
DOWN INTO THE INTERIOR VALLEYS...INCLUDING THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY
AND CLARK COUNTY LOWLANDS. AFTER A COOL MORNING IN SOME AREAS...
THE OFFSHORE FLOW WILL CAUSE TEMPERATURES TO RISE FAST INTO THE
90S...AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL FALL BELOW 20 PERCENT IN MANY
AREAS BY THIS AFTERNOON.

ORZ605-607-WAZ660-250215-
/O.NEW.KPQR.FW.W.0002.100824T1414Z-100825T0600Z/
ZONE 605-ZONE 607-ZONE 660-
714 AM PDT TUE AUG 24 2010

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR
UNSTABLE CONDITIONS...GUSTY WINDS...AND HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS
COMBINING WITH CRITICALLY DRY FUELS FOR FIRE ZONES 605...607 AND
660...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING.


* AFFECTED AREA: IN OREGON.......FIRE ZONES 605 AND 607.
IN WASHINGTON...FIRE ZONE 660 .

* WIND: EAST WIND 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH...ESPECIALLY
NEAR THE COLUMBIA GORGE AND OVER RIDGETOPS.

* HUMIDITY: FALLING TO 12 TO 18 PERCENT BY THIS AFTERNOON.
SOME RIDGETOP LOCATIONS WERE ALREADY IN THE 20 TO 25 PERCENT
RANGE THIS MORNING.

* INSTABILITY: HAINES 6 OR NEAR-HAINES 6 CONDITIONS ARE DEVELOPING
THIS MORNING...BOTH AT THE MID AND HIGH LEVELS. THE HIGHLY
UNSTABLE CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST THROUGH THIS EVENING DUE TO THE
PROXIMITY OF THE THERMAL TROUGH.

* TEMPERATURES: WILL QUICKLY RISE INTO THE UPPER 80S TO MID 90S BY
EARLY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS: THESE CONDITIONS WILL GENERATE A FAVORABLE BURNING
ENVIRONMENT WITH POTENTIAL FOR LARGE FIRE GROWTH AND EXTREME
FIRE BEHAVIOR.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL
CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

&&

Offical Hood to Coast Press Release

Hood to Coast will be heading through Columbia County next weekend. Local public safety officials have advice for residents and participants alike.

Read the official press release below.

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

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2010

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Janet Wright, PIO - 503-397-1035

Columbia County Prepares for Hood-to-Coast Weekend

ST. HELENS–Various local agencies are prepping for another Hood-to-Coast run through Columbia County on Friday and Saturday, August 27-28.

Most of the annual marathon’s participants are runners who start at Mount Hood and end up in Seaside. Walkers and high school runners start the race in Portland. Several thousand people are involved in each portion of the marathon.

Local agencies have been busying preparing for the event, according to Columbia County Emergency Management Director Derek White. “We enjoy having Hood-to-Coast in our county. However, citizens need to be aware that having such an influx of folks in our county means we have to work together to make sure we have a good game plan for handling any issues that arise as well as address regular calls for service.”

The event starts in Columbia County on US 30 at the Multnomah County line. After going through Scappoose, the route heads off US 30 at Church Road in Warren, heads past the Fairgrounds into mostly rural areas of the county. The race then heads through Mist and Birkenfeld before exiting at the Clatsop County line.

"The Sheriff's Office will be working with partner public safety agencies to provide safety patrols on county roads and special enforcement and crowd control in congested areas," Sheriff Jeff Dickerson said. "Particular areas of concern are at Church Rd and Highway 30 and from Schaefer Rd and Apiary Rd to Mist," he said, adding "we will be providing an increased presence during peak hours in those congested areas." In addition, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will restrict left turns onto US 30 from Church Road during the event.

Chief Mike Greisen of Scappoose Regional Fire District asks drivers to remain alert and to watch out for walkers and runners.

In addition, Chief Jay Tappan of Columbia River Fire and Rescue encourages Hood to Coast participants to stay safe and take precautions for heat-related problems by staying hydrated and wearing appropriate clothing for running or walking.

For updates on Hood-to-Coast’s run through the county, check out http://twitter.com/columbiacoem or look for “Columbia County Emergency Management” on Facebook. To learn more about the event, go to http://www.hoodtocoast.com .

Fire Weather Warning for 8/17 from 11am to 11pm

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather warning for Columbia, Multnomah and Cowlitz counties from 11am to 11pm tomorrow, August 17th.

High temperatures, low humidity and the possibility of lightning create the environment for "large fire growth and extreme fire behavior" tomorrow.

For more information, go to http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov/weather/alertinfo/637950.

++++++++++++++++++
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR
THUNDERSTORMS...HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS...AND CRITICALLY DRY FUELS FOR
FIRE ZONE 660...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT TUESDAY.

* AFFECTED AREA: IN WASHINGTON...FIRE ZONE 660.

* HAINES: 6 (HIGH) UNSTABLE AND DRY.

* THERMAL TROUGH: ENHANCED INSTABILITY WILL BE PROVIDED BY A
THERMAL TROUGH THAT WILL SLOWLY TRANSIT THE AREA FROM WEST TO
EAST.

* TEMPERATURES/HUMIDITY: TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN HOT WITH HIGHS
IN THE UPPER 80S AND MINIMUM HUMIDITIES HOVERING AROUND 20 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS: THESE CONDITIONS WILL GENERATE A FAVORABLE BURNING
ENVIRONMENT WITH POTENTIAL FOR LARGE FIRE GROWTH AND EXTREME
FIRE BEHAVIOR. FURTHER...THE POTENTIAL FOR LIGHTNING ADDS AN
IGNITION COMPONENT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
THUNDERSTORMS...DRY FUELS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM
TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

&&

Heat Advisory in Effect for Columbia County

NOAA has issued a heat advisory for Columbia County from Saturday (August 14th) through Monday (August 16th).
Please watch for heat exhaustion if working outside and try to stay in cool areas.
For more information, go to http://www.weather.gov/portland.

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

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
406 AM PDT FRI AUG 13 2010

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING FOR THE INLAND VALLEYS...COAST RANGE AND CASCADE
FOOTHILLS OF NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON..

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE
HEAT WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING.

* TIMING: A STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL BRING VERY HOT
WEATHER TO THE REGION SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

* TEMPERATURE: HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 90S CAN BE
EXPECTED SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY WITH SOME LOCATIONS REACHING
100 DEGREES ON SUNDAY OR MONDAY.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...CAMAS..
WASHOUGAL...HOOD RIVER...CASCADE LOCKS...MULTNOMAH FALLS..
CORBETT...EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...VERNONIA...SALEM..
MCMINNVILLE...SANDY...SWEET HOME...HILLSBORO...PORTLAND..
OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...TROUTDALE...ST. HELENS...TOUTLE..
ARIEL...COUGAR...ODELL...COTTAGE GROVE...LONGVIEW...KELSO..
STEVENSON...SKAMANIA

* IMPACTS: THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITHOUT ACCESS TO AIR
CONDITIONING WILL BE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE DURING THIS HEAT
EPISODE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS..

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF
DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES IS POSSIBLE. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY
CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES ARE
LIKELY. NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF NON-
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AVAILABLE. MAKE PLANS TO STAY OUT OF THE
SUNSHINE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

&&

$$

Weather Spotter Training October 5th

Columbia County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service will be holding Weather Spotter Training on Tuesday, October 5th @ 7 PM at the Scappoose Fire Department (52751 Columbia River Highway) in Scappoose.

The training is for responders, volunteers, weather enthusiasts, and anyone else! The course will cover various weather terms and observations as we head into the Pacific Northwest's severe weather season--winter. Cloud identification, snowfall, types of wind, weather terminology and much more will be covered. Emergency Management will also talk about emergency preparedness.

The training is FREE, but registrations are requested. To register, contact Will Dubois at 503-366-3933 or Will.Dubois@co.columbia.or.us .

Hood-to-Coast August 27-28

It's almost time for another Hood-to-Coast run through Columbia County! The annual marathon, which goes from Mount Hood to Seaside, will occur August 27 & 28. Several thousand participants are expected on each of the various portions--the full marathon, high school run from Portland to Seaside, and walking marathon from Portland to Seaside.

The event starts in Columbia County on US 30 at the Multnomah County line. After going through Scappoose, the route heads off US 30 at Church Road in Warren, heads past the Fairgrounds into mostly rural areas of the county. The race then heads through Mist and Birkenfeld before exiting at the Clatsop County line.

The Columbia County Sheriff Office will restrict left turns onto US 30 from Church Road during the event.

Please check back here for more information as we get closer to the event. To learn more about Hood-to-Coast, go to http://www.hoodtocoast.com .

Long-Term Forecast From AccuWeather.com

Winter Forecast 2010-2011: Heavier Snow for Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit, Normal Snowfall for NYC, Philly and D.C.

AccuWeather.com--August 5th, 2010

The major metropolitan areas of the mid-Atlantic that were pummeled with snow last year will get a break this winter, but that doesn't mean there will be no snow to shovel. In contrast, Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis could be in the heaviest snow zone this upcoming winter.

Winter's Worst Cold and Snow

Overall, AccuWeather.com Chief Long-Range Meteorologist Joe Bastardi is predicting that the worst of winter's cold and snow will be from the Pacific Northwest into the northern Plains and western Great Lakes. That will put cities like Portland and Seattle that escaped with a very nice winter last year, colder and snowier this year. Fargo and Minneapolis to Green Bay will also receive above-normal winter snowfall.

Other cities predicted to receive above-normal winter snowfall include Chicago, Omaha, Minneapolis, Detroit, Cleveland, Seattle and Portland.

Bastardi predicts severe cold will hit Alaska and western and central Canada.

"The Canadian winter will be as harsh as last year's was gentle," Bastardi said.

Wintry Battle Zone But No Snowmageddon

In general, the East Coast will be granted a reprieve from the tremendous snowfall that caused 2009-2010's winter to be dubbed "snowmageddon."

This does not mean a free pass for the Northeast. Bastardi predicts late November and December could get winter off to a fast start in the East, with a major thaw coming for much of the country in January.

Bastardi makes the early cold connection between this year's active hurricane season and his winter forecast.

He said that years that see significant landfall, such as 1995, 2008 and 2005, usually also have cold for much of the eastern and central portions of the nation in December.

He said this year from the central Rockies to the Northeast a higher variance of temperatures will be present - "greater-than-normal swings between winter's coldest and warmest days." The conflicting warm and cold air masses contributing to these temperature fluctuations have placed this area into what Bastardi calls the "Wintry Battle Zone."

Despite the wild swings in temperatures, cities like New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., will still have near-normal snowfall. To put this in perspective, New York City receives an average of 28.4 inches of snowfall during winter.

Warmer and Drier South

The South and southern Plains will escape the worst of the winter weather with warmer and drier conditions compared to last year. Dallas, which received near-record snowfall last year, will be lucky to get normal snowfall this year.

While these areas will be warmer and drier, this does not preclude the southern Plains and South from the threat of a couple of ice storms, as cold air tries to intrude southward.

The best weather this winter will be in Florida. Bastardi suggests that Florida will be a great winter destination, with warmer-than-normal temperatures all winter long. We will also see warmer weather all along the Gulf coast, which could help the beach resorts recover from the economic downturn associated with the oil spill.

Southern California May Suffer from Drought

Southern California and portions of the Southwest could be threatened by a severe drought and high danger for wildfires, as Bastardi predicts a much drier-than-normal winter season for the region.

According to AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist and West Coast Expert Ken Clark, strict water management for Southern California could result come next spring and summer.

However, Bastardi predicts that from San Francisco and areas to the north, there could be more precipitation.

"This may be a great winter for building the Pacific Northwest and Canada snowpack, which is opposite of last winter," said Bastardi.

Temperatures this Winter

Temperature-wise, Bastardi is forecasting slightly higher-than-normal temperatures (0.5 to 1 degree warmer) for Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York City.

Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City and Minneapolis will be a degree or so cooler than average, while much of the western part of the nation may see temperatures that dip a couple of degrees.

Bastardi said Salt Lake City could be as much as 1-3 degrees colder, while Denver will be about 2 degrees below normal and both San Francisco and Los Angeles will have temperatures about 1.5 degrees cooler.

Above-normal snowfall is predicted for the Great Basin region, the Northwest and northern Plains, while the South and Southwest will get less snow than average.

Story by Kirstie Hettinga, Carly Porter and Henry Margusity, AccuWeather.com Staff Writers.

Columbia County Farmers Receive Ag Disaster Declaration

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
August 5, 2010
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Columbia County Receives Agricultural Disaster Assistance Declaration

ST. HELENS--Columbia County farmers are eligible for disaster assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for potential losses from last December’s freezing temperatures.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack approved a disaster declaration request from Washington County on August 2nd for damage to crops from low temperatures that occurred between December 1st and 13th, 2009. Due to the way the USDA disaster declaration process works, farmers in counties contiguous to Washington County are also eligible, making the declaration applicable to Columbia County.

This declaration opens up certain types of assistance for farmers, according to Derek White with Columbia County Emergency Management. “Farmers here are able to apply for disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency. That assistance, if the applicant is eligible, ranges from emergency loans to supplemental revenue assistance payments”, White says.

Farmers have until April 2nd, 2011 to apply. Assistance applications must be filed at the nearest Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, which is located at:

Washington County FSA
1080 SW Baseline, Suite B2
Hillsboro, OR 97123

For questions about the program, please contact the Washington County FSA office at 503-648-3174.