Special Weather Statement: December 29, 2010

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
400 PM PST WED DEC 29 2010

THE AIR MASS OVER NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON IS
COOL AND UNSTABLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING DUE TO THE RECENT
PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT. THIS PATTERN CAN PRODUCE WHAT IS CALLED
COLD AIR FUNNEL CLOUDS. THESE FUNNELS DO NOT USUALLY TOUCH THE
GROUND. HOWEVER...IF THEY DO TOUCH THE GROUND THEY ARE DANGEROUS
AND CAN BE DAMAGING. HAD A THIRD PARTY REPORT OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE
ONE OF THESE NEAR TANGENT OREGON THIS AFTERNOON. IN THE LAST
HOUR...SOME THUNDERSTORMS HAVE BEGUN TO DEVELOP OVER PORTIONS OF
THE AREA. THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS EVENT SHOULD DECREASE AFTER SUNSET.

Special Weather Statement for Columbia County: Dec. 27, 2010

Special Weather Statement

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1200 PM PST MON DEC 27 2010

ORZ003>014-WAZ019-020-022-023-039-040-281800-
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-
CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-LOWER COLUMBIA-
GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-
SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE-
NORTHERN OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES-
CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY-CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY-
UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY-SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-WILLAPA HILLS-I-
5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-
SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...VERNONIA...JEWELL...TRASK...
GRANDE RONDE...TIDEWATER...SWISSHOME...ST. HELENS...CLATSKANIE...
HILLSBORO...PORTLAND...OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...SALEM...
MCMINNVILLE...DALLAS...EUGENE...CORVALLIS...ALBANY...HOOD RIVER...
CASCADE LOCKS...MULTNOMAH FALLS...SANDY...
SILVER FALLS STATE PARK...SWEET HOME...GOVERNMENT CAMP...
DETROIT...SANTIAM PASS...VIDA...LOWELL...COTTAGE GROVE...
MCKENZIE BRIDGE...OAKRIDGE...WILLAMETTE PASS...PARKDALE...ODELL...
COLDWATER RIDGE VISITORS CENTER...MOUNT ST. HELENS...FRANCES...
RYDERWOOD...LONGVIEW...KELSO...CASTLE ROCK...STEVENSON...
SKAMANIA...VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL...TOUTLE...
ARIEL...COUGAR
1200 PM PST MON DEC 27 2010

...TURNING COLDER BY MIDWEEK...AND COLD TO END THE YEAR...

AFTER A MILD START TO THE LAST WEEK OF THE YEAR...A COLD FRONT
WILL PUSH ACROSS THE REGION TUESDAY NIGHT...USERING IN MUCH COLDER
WEATHER. IN THE LOWLANDS...OVERNIGHT LOWS EXPECTED IN THE MIDDLE
TO UPPER 20S...WHILE THE AFTERNOON HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL LIKELY
BE ONLY IN THE 30S. TEMPERATURES WILL BE COLDER IN THE CASCADES.

THIS IS NOT AN ARTIC OUTBREAK OF AIR...AND NOT A LOT OF EAST WIND
IS EXPECTED. HOWEVER...IT WILL BE COLD ENOUGH TO SEE SNOW
SHOWERS WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY. AT THIS TIME...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS
ARE EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT...THROUGH AN INCH OR TWO ARE POSSIBLE
ABOVE 500 FEET...OR ON HIGHER HILLS OF THE INTERIOR VALLEYS.

OVER THE COAST RANGE AND THE CASCADES...POTENTIAL FOR SNOW IS
BETTER. AT THIS TIME...THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR 3 TO 6 INCHES OF
SNOW IN THE COAST RANGE ABOVE 1000 FEET...AND PERHAPS 5 TO 10
INCHES IN THE CASCADES.

ANOTHER FAST MOVING SYSTEM WILL PASS ACROSS THE REGION FRIDAY AND
SATURDAY...WITH ANOTHER CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TRAVEL OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND THROUGH THE
WOODS LATER THIS WEEK...MONITOR THE LATEST WEATHER FORECASTS AND
POSSIBLE WARNINGS OR ADVISORIES. BE PREPARED FOR WINTERY DRIVING
CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY OVER THE CASCADES RANGE.

Hydrologic Outlook: Dec. 27-28, 2010

Hydrologic Outlook

HYDROLOGIC OUTLOOK
ORZ001>014-WAZ019>023-039-040-281930-

HYDROLOGIC OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1130 AM PST MON DEC 27 2010

...HEAVY RAIN WILL RAISE RIVER LEVELS THROUGH MID WEEK...

A WET AND WARM STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BRING PERIODS OF HEAVY
RAIN TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST BEGINNING EARLY THIS EVENING AND
CONTINUING THROUGH LATE TUESDAY. THE CURRENT FORECAST FOCUSES THE
HEAVIEST RAINFALL OVER THE COAST RANGE OF OREGON DURING THE
OVERNIGHT HOURS TONIGHT...WITH PRECIPITATION FALLING MAINLY AS
SNOW IN THE CASCADES. THE POSSIBILITY OF SHARP RISES AND SOME AREA
RIVERS REACHING BANKFULL LEVELS EXISTS.

THE CURRENT FORECAST INDICATES THE HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION WILL
FALL OVER THE COAST RANGE OF OREGON...WITH 2 TO 3 INCHES OF
RAINFALL EXPECTED THROUGH TUESDAY. THE SNOW LEVEL IS AROUND 2000
TO 2500 FEET TODAY...THEREFORE PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN AS SNOW
IN THE CASCADES. THE SNOW LEVEL WILL RISE TO 4000 TO 5000 FEET
LATE TONIGHT...TURNING SNOW TO RAIN AT PASS LEVELS WITH 1 TO 2
INCHES OF RAINFALL EXPECTED AT THESE LEVELS DURING THE DAY
TUESDAY. UP TO AN INCH OF RAIN CAN BE EXPECTED AT LOWER ELEVATIONS
INLAND.

THESE AMOUNTS OF RAIN WOULD PUSH RIVER LEVELS UP SHARPLY LATER
TONIGHT AND TUESDAY...AND SOME COULD REACH BANKFULL AS EARLY AS
TUESDAY MORNING. RIVERS DRAINING THE COAST RANGE ARE THE MOST
LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED.

VISIT WEATHER.GOV/PORTLAND FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND RIVER
FORECASTS.

Volunteer Management Training

Columbia County Emergency Management is glad to provide the following training to the public:

Volunteer Management

Friday, February 11th, 8:30-4:30
Columbia 911, St. Helens (RSVP required--see below)

This is a comprehensive, one-day class on all aspects of establishing, operating, and maintaining a volunteer program.

Topics Include:

* Recruiting
* Evaluating
* Developing a volunteer program
* Supervising
* Training
* And Much More!

This class is open to anyone, but RSVPs are required. To register, please contact Renate Rudolph at Renate.Rudolph@co.columbia.or.us or call 503-366-3934.

Tornado Preparedness Information

Even though they don't happen very often, tornados do happen as we saw in Aumsville this week. Here are some preparedness tips from FEMA to be aware of if one strikes in Columbia County:

• Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
• Have an emergency kit with food, water and other supplies.
  
• It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
• You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one.
• Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning:
  • Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
  • If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
  • In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
  • Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they attract debris.
  • A vehicle, trailer or mobile home does not provide good protection. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong foundation, if possible.
  • If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
  • Plan to stay in the shelter location until the danger has passed.

For more information, please visit http://ready.gov .

Tornados in the Area

Did you know we had a tornado in Scappoose in 1978? Do you realize how many tornados have been in the area?

The National Weather Service in Portland has posted information about the recorded history of tornados in the area. Here is a link to that info:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/paststorms/tornado.php

Snow This Weekend: December 17-18, 2010

The National Weather Service in Portland has informed us that we are likely to see a little snow tonight and early tomorrow morning before the snow level rises to 2000 feet and turns to rain for us in Columbia County. Expected amounts by noon Saturday are 1-2 inches at the lowest elevations levels. Most of you who live in higher elevations know that this could end up being a couple of more inches for you, however.

The good news is that temperatures countywide are expected to get up to around 40 Saturday afternoon, so the snow should be short-lived. Further information will be sent out if need be.

Remember to check the following websites for more information at work or home:

* TripCheck--ODOT's website for statewide highway information: http://tripcheck.net (you may also dial 511)

* National Weather Service in Portland: http://weather.gov/portland

* Columbia County Emergency Management Blog: http://columbiacountyem.blogspot.com

Please pass along to others in your organization.

Thanks,

Derek White

Columbia County Emergency Management

Columbia County Receives SBA Disaster Assistance

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
December 15, 2010
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Columbia County Receives Small Business Disaster Assistance Declaration

ST. HELENS–Small, non-farm businesses in Columbia County are eligible for disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for potential losses from last spring’s excessive rain and low temperatures.

This assistance was made possible due to an agricultural disaster declaration made by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on December 8th for damage to crops from low temperatures that occurred between April 1st through July 4th, 2010. That declaration was for Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, but Columbia County was added because contiguous counties are allowed to access programs under those declarations.

“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,” explains Alfred Judd, Director of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center–West.

This declaration can give such much-needed assistance to local businesses, according to Columbia County Emergency Management Director Derek White. “It is quite possible that the agricultural weather issues from earlier this year could have had an effect on other types of businesses. This low-interest loan program could help businesses still struggling from that weather event”, White says.

Information and application forms are available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance . Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

The deadline to apply for these loans is August 8, 2011.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance, but are eligible for USDA assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the local Farm Services Agency (FSA) office at (503) 725-2300. The agricultural disaster assistance deadline is also August 8, 2011.

To read more about assistance available, visit Columbia County Emergency Management online at http://columbiacountyem.blogspot.com or call 503-366-3931.

Columbia County Agricultural Disaster Declared

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
December 13, 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 spring’s excessive rain and low temperatures.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack approved a disaster declaration request from Multnomah and Clackamas Counties on December 8th for damage to crops from low temperatures that occurred between April 1st through July 4th, 2010. Due to the way the USDA disaster declaration process works, farmers in counties contiguous to these counties 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 August 8th, 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.

Nehalem River Status and Prediction 12/11 2:55 PM

Latest graph from the National Weather Service for Nehalem at Vernonia. Please do not focus on Foss gauge if you live near Nehalem in Columbia County, as Foss is downstream.

Flood Watch this Weekend

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for much of the Pacific Northwest including Columbia County. Click here to read the flood watch statement

Two significant batches of rain will pass through the area.

Total rain levels from these systems are expected to be:

• 5-9” with locally higher totals possible north coast, Coast range, south Washington Cascades
• 3-6” central OR Cascades
• 2-3.5” inland

Sharp river rises expected to push several rivers to flood stage Saturday night into Sunday.

The break in rainfall between storms is not as long as previously anticipated

Flooding concerns increased north OR coast, south WA Cascades

Wind gusts Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning –45 -55 mph coast, 15-25 mph inland

Hazards to proactively prepare for:
o Heavy rain (North coast and mountains)
o River flooding, many rivers near bankfull
o Small stream flooding, with urban ponding likely
o Landslides and debris flow potential, especially Coast Range

Sandbags
Sandbag materials are available at Columbia County Road Department
(1054 Oregon Street, St. Helens between the Animal Shelter and the Road Department) and St. Helens Public Works (984 Oregon Street, St. Helens). It is a "make your own" system so come with that expectation if you do stop by to get sand bags.

Sandbags are available at the County Road Department 7 days a week. Citizens are asked to be considerate and take only between 10 and 15 bags per trip.

Nehalem River Level and Prediction: 12/10 at 3:30 PM

Nehalem River near Vernonia: Thurs. 12/9 9:08 PM

Heavy Rain this Weekend

The National Weather Service has advised us of some significant rainfall this coming weekend that has the potential to raise river levels and possibly cause some minor flooding.
Here are the details:

• A very wet and warm weather pattern with tropical moisture is heading toward the Pacific northwest.
• There will be two significant batches of rain

1. The first one (Sat night/Sunday) is the strongest and of most concern. This system has the potential of dropping 3" to 6" of rain at the coast, in the Coast Range, Willapa Hills and the Cascades. It may drop from 1" to 3" inland.
2. The second system comes in on Monday with a cold front and may drop 1" to 2" of rain in the Coast Range, Willapa Hills and the Cascades, and .5" to 1" inland.

• Sharp rises in river levels are expected to push rivers to their banks Saturday night into Sunday, but the break in the rainfall on Sunday should allow most rivers to recede somewhat before the Monday rain.

At this point, it is still uncertain where the focus of the precipitation will be; the amount of rainfall may vary from the predicted numbers depending on where the precipitation focuses.

Hazards to proactively prepare for:

• Heavy rain
• River flooding, urban and small stream flooding
• Landslides and debris flow potential, especially Coast Range

For further information:
www.nwrfc.noaa.gov (river forecasts and data)

Please check back for updates.

Longview Fibre to Test Alarms

FYI--sometimes this is audible on the Oregon side of the river. Please pass along to others who may be affected or receive reports about this.

Longview Fibre to Test Alarms

Longview Daily News, 12/6/10

Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging, Inc. will start sounding mill evacuation alarms 7 p.m. Tuesday for training purposes, the company announced Thursday.

The mill will also sound alarms at 7:10 p.m. Dec. 9, 11 and 13. The last test alarm will sound 7:10 a.m. Dec. 14.

The alarm will be audible to neighboring homes and businesses and last about three to five minutes.