Heavy Rain and Gusty Wind Through Wednesday

We've received word from the National Weather Service of some heavy rain and strong winds coming our way. For the most part, it looks like the area hardest hit will be south of the County. None of our rivers are on their list for possible flooding, but we still stand to see some heavy rain and some gusty wind.There is also the possibility of small stream flooding and some pooling of water. 

 

From today to tomorrow morning, we can expect to see 1/2 to 1 inch of rain (1 to 2 inches of rain in the Coast Range and foothills). From tomorrow morning to Wednesday morning, we can expect to see 1 to 2 inches of rain (2 to 4 inches of rain in the Coast Range and foothills). 

 

Leaves on the ground could clog storm drains and lead to urban ponding. If you can do so safely, please make the effort to clear storm drains on your property. 

 

As far as wind, we can expect 20-25 mph winds inland with gusts of 30-40 mph.

Excessive Heat Watch this Weekend

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for this weekend. With quite a few events taking place this weekend, I know many of us will be spending lots of time in the sun.

Please read below for what you can expect, and the full text of the heat watch.


..EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR THE INTERIOR OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON
AND NORTHWEST OREGON...

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

* TIMING: SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* TEMPERATURE: TEMPERATURES WILL RANGE FROM THE MID 90S TO CLOSE
  TO 100 DEGREES AT LOWER ELEVATIONS...WITH LOWER TO MID 90S IN
  THE COAST RANGE...THE CASCADE FOOTHILLS...THE WESTERN COLUMBIA
  GORGE AND THE UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY. AFTER A RATHER MILD
  SUMMER SO FAR...THESE TEMPERATURES WILL BE THE HOTTEST
  TEMPERATURES OF THE YEAR SO FAR AT MANY LOCATIONS. TEMPERATURES
  WILL RECOVER TO THE LOW 60S SATURDAY NIGHT.

* 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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN
POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR
EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT
STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN
POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY...CALL 9 1 1.

MANY WILL FLOCK TO AREA RIVERS AND STREAMS THIS WEEKEND. MANY OF
THE FATALITIES DURING HOT SPELLS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST OCCUR
IN AND AROUND WATER. USE EXTRA CAUTION THIS WEEKEND AROUND AREA
WATERWAYS...AND BE SURE TO WEAR A LIFE JACKET. IT CAN SAVE YOUR
LIFE.

www.weather.gov/

Frost Advisory for Tonight

Just when you thought it was starting to look like Summer....

The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for tonight. Be sure to bring in any fragile plants.

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
136 PM PDT WED MAY 9 2012

..CHILLY NIGHT IN STORE FOR SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST
OREGON TONIGHT...

.COOL HIGH PRESSURE FROM THE GULF OF ALASKA IS SETTLING INTO THE
PACIFIC NORTHWEST...BRINGING AN UNSEASONABLE CHILL TO THE AIR FOR
EARLY MAY. SKIES WILL CLEAR IN MOST AREAS SHORTLY AFTER SUNSET.
THE CLEAR SKIES AND LIGHT WINDS WILL PROVIDE OPTIMAL CONDITIONS
FOR COOLING OVERNIGHT. RECORD COOL TEMPERATURES ARE POSSIBLE...
AS TEMPERATURES WILL LIKELY APPROACH THE FREEZING MARK OVERNIGHT
IN THE OUTLYING VALLEYS AWAY FROM METROPOLITAN CENTERS.

ORZ005-WAZ020-022-040-100500-
/O.EXA.KPQR.FR.Y.0001.120510T0700Z-120510T1500Z/
LOWER COLUMBIA-WILLAPA HILLS-I-5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-
SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. HELENS...LONGVIEW...KELSO...
TOUTLE...ARIEL...COUGAR
136 PM PDT WED MAY 9 2012

..FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM PDT
THURSDAY FOR THE LOWER COLUMBIA...THE WILLAPA HILLS...THE
INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY...AND THE SOUTH WASHINGTON
CASCADE FOOTHILLS...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A FROST
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM PDT
THURSDAY.

* TIMING: LATE TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURE: LOWER TO MID 30S.

* IMPACTS: SENSITIVE OUTDOOR PLANTS MAY BE KILLED IF LEFT
  UNCOVERED. BUDDING PLANTS AND TREES MAY ALSO BE DAMAGED DUE
  TO NEAR FREEZING OR SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES.

A FROST ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN FROST IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP
DURING THE GROWING SEASON.

St. Helens Spring Burn Period Starts Saturday

Spring residential burn period for St. Helens starts this Saturday (May 5th) and runs through May 20th.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2012

SPRING BURN PERIOD FOR ST. HELENS RESIDENTS

The spring burn period for residential open burning in the City of St. Helens will begin on the first Saturday in May, running from May 5-20.

Before burning anything in your yard, a burn permit must be obtained through Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRF&R). Residential burn permits are now available through CRF&R’s website. If you apply for a permit online and provide your email address, an automated renewal notice will be sent to you via email when your permit is about to expire. Burn permits can also be obtained at CRF&R’s Administration Office or at City Hall.

Burn bans may still be in effect even if you have obtained a burn permit. Always check the burn line at 503-397-4800 to find out if it is an open burn day.

Burn permits last for one year from the date of issue.  However, there are only two authorized burn periods within St. Helens city limits, on the first Saturday in May for 16 consecutive days and the third Saturday in October for 16 consecutive days.

Burning grass clippings, plastics, household garbage, petroleum products and rubber products is not allowed. Burning may only be conducted during daylight hours.

For further information regarding the spring burn period, please see the St. Helens Municipal Code Chapter 8.36 online at http://www.codepublishing.com/OR/sthelens/ or contact the Columbia River Fire and Rescue’s Administration Office, at 503-397-2990.

Revised Community Wildfire Protection Plan Available for Review

Revised Community Wildfire Protection Plan available for review. Changes are in red. Please send comments to Columbia County Emergency Management by May 31, 2012. Thanks!

See http://www.co.columbia.or.us/files/emergency%20management/CWPP_Revised_April2012_PublicReview.pdf

All-Time Snowfall Records Fall Across Western Oregon & SW Washington

By Steve Pierce, President, Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society

Vancouver, Washington (March 22nd 2012) - "Many cities across Western Oregon and Southwest Washington are setting all-time cold and snowfall records for this late in the season. Since Tuesday night, the Willamette Valley has been blanketed with anywhere from 2" to 9" of snow from Vancouver, WA. south to Eugene, Oregon. Since Tuesday evening, many all-time March snowfall and temperature records have been broken up and down the Willamette Valley at airport locations. Portland, Salem, Eugene and Vancouver, WA. airports all set new coldest daytime high temperature records on Wednesday in addition to setting new all-time records for the heaviest snowfall this late in the season. Eugene, Oregon easily broke their maximum daily precipitation record for Wednesday with 1.92 inches with equated to a record setting 7.5" of snowfall on Wednesday."

"The Portland International Airport recorded 0.5" of snowfall overnight last night which sets a new all-time record for that location. March 22nd 2012 will now go down in the record books as the latest measurable snowfall in Portland Airport history. The period of record at the Portland airport is 1940-2012. The previous latest snowfall on record for the Portland airport was set on March 15th 1946. The excellent staff at the Portland office of the National Weather Service have reviewed daily records that previously indicated both March 20th 1995 and March 25th 1965 as the latest dates for measurable snowfall in Portland. These reports were in fact hail, not snow! Hail was often reported under the snow column on the record sheets. Looking even further back, downtown Portland records indicate that as much as 5" of snow fell in the first week of April in 1936. Records in downtown Portland date back to 1872. It is hard to believe that spring break is just 24 hours away for Oregon students."

Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory in Effect

Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory in effect for southwest Columbia County until 5:30 PM tomorrow. If you see standing water while driving, don't risk it. Turn around. Don't drown.

Here are the full details of the advisory:

FLOOD ADVISORY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1143 AM PDT THU MAR 15 2012

ORC003-007-009-039-041-053-057-067-071-160030-
/O.NEW.KPQR.FA.Y.0006.120315T1843Z-120316T0030Z/
/00000.N.RS.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
LANE OR-TILLAMOOK OR-CLATSOP OR-COLUMBIA OR-WASHINGTON OR-YAMHILL OR-
POLK OR-BENTON OR-LINCOLN OR-
1143 AM PDT THU MAR 15 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED AN

* URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY FOR RAIN AND POOR DRAINAGE
IN...
NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
SOUTHERN CLATSOP COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
TILLAMOOK COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
WESTERN YAMHILL COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
LINCOLN COUNTY IN WESTERN OREGON...
NORTHWESTERN LANE COUNTY IN WESTERN OREGON...
WESTERN BENTON COUNTY IN WESTERN OREGON...
WESTERN POLK COUNTY IN WESTERN OREGON...

* UNTIL 530 PM PDT.

* AT 1137 AM PDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR AND TRAINED SPOTTERS HAVE REPORTED VERY HEAVY RAIN THIS MORNING ALONG THE COAST AND COAST RANGE. WEBCAMS INDICATE FLOODING OVER US 101 NEAR SEASIDE...WITH MANY SMALL STREAMS ALONG THE COAST AND COAST RANGE IN OR ABOVE BANKFULL.

WHILE PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO EASE SOMEWHAT THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...RAIN SHOWERS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE...KEEPING STREAMS RUNNING HIGH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON HIGHWAYS...STREETS AND UNDERPASSES...IN URBAN AREAS WITH POOR OR OVERWHELMED DRAINAGE...AND WILL ALSO CAUSE ELEVATED LEVELS ON SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

Snow May Resume Tonight (3/13) Through Tomorrow Morning

NOAA has issued a winter weather advisory from 3 AM tonight into noon tomorrow for certain areas of the county. Please read the full text of the advisory below.

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO NOON PDT
WEDNESDAY FOR THE WILLAPA HILLS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND THE
NORTH OREGON COAST RANGE...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO NOON
PDT WEDNESDAY.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL DEVELOP LATE TONIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH
WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...IN THE WILLAPA HILLS EXPECT 2 TO 5 INCHES OF
NEW SNOW. IN THE NORTH OREGON COAST RANGE EXPECT 2 TO 4 INCHES
OF NEW SNOW.

* SNOW LEVELS...BELOW 1000 FEET EARLY WEDNESDAY WILL RISE TO ABOVE
2500 FEET BY NOON WEDNESDAY.

* IMPACTS...ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND ICY...CREATING
HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.

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 AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

Snow Possible Tonight (3/12) into Tomorrow Morning (3/13)

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement regarding the possibility of snow at levels as low as 500 feet.

Please read below for the full statement.

ORZ001-005>009-014-WAZ021>023-039-131900-
NORTH OREGON COAST-LOWER COLUMBIA-GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA- CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY- WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE-UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY- SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST-I-5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY- GREATER VANCOUVER AREA- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASTORIA...CANNON BEACH...TILLAMOOK...
ST. HELENS...CLATSKANIE...HILLSBORO...PORTLAND...OREGON CITY... GRESHAM...SALEM...MCMINNVILLE...DALLAS...EUGENE...CORVALLIS... ALBANY...HOOD RIVER...CASCADE LOCKS...MULTNOMAH FALLS... PARKDALE...ODELL...RAYMOND...LONG BEACH...CATHLAMET...LONGVIEW... KELSO...CASTLE ROCK...STEVENSON...SKAMANIA...VANCOUVER... BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL

...LOW SNOW LEVELS VERY LATE MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY MORNING IN THE LOWER ELEVATIONS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON...

IN THE WAKE OF THE VERY STRONG PACIFIC FRONTAL SYSTEM THAT WAS MOVING THROUGH ON MONDAY...COLDER AIR WILL SPREAD IN AND WILL BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF VERY LOW SNOW LEVELS TO THE LOWER ELEVATIONS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON VERY LATE MONDAY NIGHT AND ON TUESDAY MORNING.

SNOW LEVELS COULD GET CLOSE TO 500 FEET OR LOWER TUESDAY MORNING... AND POSSIBLY CLOSE TO THE VALLEY FLOOR IN BRIEF HEAVIER SHOWERS. AMOUNTS AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS AROUND THE VALLEY SUCH AS THE WEST HILLS OF PORTLAND COULD SEE SOME ONE OR LOCALLY TWO INCH ACCUMULATIONS. AMOUNTS AT THE VALLEY FLOOR SHOULD BE SPOTTY AND LIGHTER.

Do you Want to Participate in Columbia County Emergency Management?

The following committees have openings for citizen participation (March 2012):

HSEMC - Homeland Security Emergency Management Commission - Advising Board of County Commissioners and Director of County's Emergency Management department on homeland security and emergency management issues. Mid County Cities alternate representative (Vernonia - Mist area) and Industry alternate representative vacancies. Commission meets monthly.

ASA - Ambulance Service Advisory Committee - overseeing ambulance service providers performance criteria. Local physician and Citizen member vacancies. Committee meets quarterly.

Contact Columbia County Emergency Management Department to learn more.

Disaster Assistance Available For Farmers

Columbia County farmers may be eligible for disaster assistance. The Governor of Washington has approved an agricultural disaster declaration due to rain, flooding, below-normal temperatures, high winds, frosts and freezes that occurred between January 1, 2011 and July 31, 2011. This declaration also applies to counties contiguous to those that have been declared, even if they are in another state.

This being the case, benefits may be available for the following designated contiguous counties in the state of Oregon (Clatsop, Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Multnomah, Sherman and Wasco).

Producers in both primary and contiguous counties are eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans (EM) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE). SURE was approved as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 and was implemented beginning on January 4, 2010.

FSA will consider each application on its own merit by taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers and ranchers with additional information.

Please contact our local Farm Service Agency Office in Hillsboro with questions. Their number is (503) 648-3174.

Six Inches of Snow above 1000 in the Coast Mountains forecasted for Friday & Saturday

The National Weather Service is forecasting up to six inches of snow in the Coast Mountains for Friday and Saturday. Continue to follow our blog, the NWS website and your local weather forecaster for up to date information. Drive safe, play safe and enjoy the weekend.

National Flood Insurance Program May Pay for Flood Prevention Supplies

A little-known clause in NFIP flood insurance policies may reimburse up to $1,000 for loss avoidance measures taken as a result of impending flooding or flooding conditions. Individuals that carry flood insurance may take advantage of this benefit even if their home or business did not actually flood.

Spread the word!

There are some specific terms and conditions that must apply first and only certain items qualify for reimbursement. Some of these items are sandbags, sand, pumps, plastic sheeting, lumber and labor.

Please check with your insurance provider to see if your flood prevention expenses are eligible for reimbursement.

Language taken from the NFIP Dwelling Policy is shown below for more details.

NFIP Dewlling Policy Language:

2. Loss Avoidance Measures

a. Sandbags, Supplies, and Labor

(1) We will pay up to $1,000 for costs you incur to protect the insured building from a flood or imminent danger of flood, for the following:

(a) Your reasonable expenses to buy:

(i) Sandbags, including sand to fill them;

(ii) Fill for temporary levees;

(iii) Pumps; and

(iv) Plastic sheeting and lumber used in connection with these items.

(b) The value of work, at the Federal minimum wage, that you or a member of your household perform.

(2) This coverage for Sandbags, Supplies, and Labor applies only if damage to insured property by or from flood is imminent, and the threat of flood damage is apparent enough to lead a person of common prudence to anticipate flood damage. One of the following must also occur:

(a) A general and temporary condition of flooding in the area near the described location must occur, even if the flood does not reach the insured building; or

(b) A legally authorized official must issue an evacuation order or other civil order for the community in which the insured building is located calling for measures to preserve life and property from the peril of flood.

This coverage does not increase the Coverage A or Coverage B limit of liability.

b. Property Removed to Safety

(1) We will pay up to $1,000 for the reasonable expenses you incur to move insured property to a place other than the described location that contains the property in order to protect it from flood or the imminent danger of flood.

Portland Reverse 9-1-1 Test Tomorrow 1/26

If you live, work or play in Portland, you may get an unexpected call tomorrow.

Portland, Ore. – On January 26th, the anniversary of our region’s last great earthquake, the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) -in partnership with Multnomah County- will initiate the first-ever, citywide test of Portland’s community notification system. This relatively new system has been used successfully in real, small-scale emergencies. But it has never been stress-tested on a large scale.

During this citywide test, PBEM will attempt to send a single message via landline phone, cell phone, text, and email to a maximum number of Portlanders in the shortest amount of time possible. “We want this test to expose any weaknesses in the system,” said PBEM Director Carmen Merlo.

Greater participation in the test will ensure a larger sample group and help PBEM gauge the system’s functionality. Merlo encourages Portlanders to register for this and all future notifications by signing up at www.PublicAlerts.org. Personal contact information provided during registration is kept private and used only for the purpose of sending geographically tailored emergency messages. During the January 26th test, residents will be notified only if the contact information provided corresponds with a Portland mailing address.

It bears reminding, our region could experience a magnitude 9.0 or greater Cascadia subduction zone earthquake at any moment. The last one occurred January 26th, 1700. Scientists say we are in the average window of time during which these massive, destructive earthquakes occur. The community notification system may serve as an invaluable communication tool during this and other kinds of emergencies.

What: Citywide test of Portland community notification system

When: 11:00 a.m. until completion of task

###

Heavy Rain Tuesday and Wednesday

Heavy Rain and some Wind for Tuesday Night through Thursday Morning Winter Storm Jan 24-25, 2012

The National Weather Service Portland has issued a Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for Columbia County. Watch for water over roadways and localized standing water. Landslides and debris flows are possible during this flood event. People, structures, and homes located below steep slopes, in canyons, and near the mouths of canyons may be at risk from rapidly moving landslides.

Heavy rain and snow melt are expected to cause rivers and creeks to rise this afternoon/evening and remain elevated through Wednesday. Widespread 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected with local amounts of up to 3 to 5 inches depending on location.

The Nehalem River near Vernonia is forecasted to crest at 10.5 feet early Wednesday morning. Flood level is 12 feet. The Nehalem River is not forecasted to flood. The Clatskanie River is not forecasted to flood.

See www.weather.gov/portland for your local forecast and http://water.weather.gov/ahps/ for river gage levels.

Freezing Rain Advisory until Midnight 1/20

A Freezing Rain Advisory is in effect until midnight tonight. This covers the far south east corner of Columbia County as well as parts of Multnomah and Washington Counties.

The full text of the advisory is below:
...FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT FOR
AREAS EAST OF INTERSTATE 205 NEAR THE GORGE...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A FREEZING
RAIN ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT.


* TIMING...THROUGH MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

* WEATHER...AREAS OF FREEZING RAIN ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP EARLY
THIS EVENING EAST OF INTERSTATE 205 NEAR THE GORGE.

* ICE ACCUMULATIONS...LESS THAN A TENTH OF AN INCH.

* IMPACTS...LIGHT ICING OF BRIDGES...OVERPASSES...SIDEWALKS AND
STEPS MAY MAKE FOR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN OR
FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS. SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

See a map of possible affected areas by clicking here:
http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov/weather/alertinfo/4692697

Wind Advisory - gusts to 50 mph - Friday Night Through Saturday Morning

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for Columbia County from 1/20/2012 10:00 PM to 1/21/2012 10:00 AM PST. The flood watch continues through 1/21/2012 10:00 AM PST for Columbia County. Watch for water over roadways and local ponding / standing water. The Nehalem near Vernonia and Mist-Birkenfeld is now forecasted to crest at 11 feet on Saturday. Flood level is 12 feet. Yesterday's forecast was for a crest of 9.5 feet. The Clatskanie River is not forecasted to flood.

See http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/ and add your zip code in the "Get Local Forecast" box in the upper left menu. This includes wind and flood advisories.

See http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pqr for river level gages and forecasted crest levels.

Heavy Rains Abate Thursday, Return to Normal Rainy Weather for the Weeknd

The heavy rains will end today and a normal rain pattern will return for the weekend. This continues to be a big storm event for central Oregon coast through the Willamette Valley with ten rivers in flood.

Yesterday, the county EOC had a limited activation monitoring the storm and sharing information with our local partners as the snow was impacting everyone. It was a hectic ten hours. Thanks for everyone's participation.

We seem to have weathered the storm. Power was restored yesterday evening to Vernonia and they closed down their EOC and their warming center. The Nehalem River is not expected to reach flood stage in Vernonia. It is expected to crest at 9.5 feet on Saturday. Flood stage is 12 feet. Most of the county roads have reopened. There will continue to be localized water over roadways, along ditches, etc as the snow melts.

Oregon Highway 30 towards Portland in Multnomah County is restricted to one lane for water over the roadway. It is causing delays. Check http://tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?curRegion=14&mainNav=RoadConditions to see latest reports.

The County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the rivers in our county through the weekend. National Weather Service is predicting another possible heavy rain event for the middle of next week. More information will be forthcoming from the weather service after the weekend.

Areal Flood Advisory in Effect

The National Weather Service has issued an areal flood advisory for Columbia County in effect until 7 PM tonight.

Full details of the advisory are listed below:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED AN

* URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY FOR...
COLUMBIA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
NORTHERN TILLAMOOK COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
SOUTHERN CLATSOP COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
WASHINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
WESTERN MULTNOMAH COUNTY IN NORTHWEST OREGON...
CLARK COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...
COWLITZ COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...
EASTERN WAHKIAKUM COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...

* UNTIL 700 PM PST THURSDAY.

* AT 900 AM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO SHOW HEAVY RAIN ACROSS THE REGION. RAINFALL OVER THE PREVIOUS 24 HOURS IS IMPACTING A WIDESPREAD AREA ACROSS WESTERN OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON. AREA CREEKS AND STREAMS ARE RISING QUICKLY AND MANY ARE ALREADY OVER THEIR BANKS WITH THE HEAVY RAINFALL.

SALMON CREEK IN NORTH CLARK COUNTY WAS REPORTED TO BE OUT OF ITS BANKS...AND AS RAINFALL CONTINUES TODAY OTHER SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS ARE LIKELY TO FOLLOW.

RAINFALL WILL EASE THIS EVENING...BUT NOT BEFORE ANOTHER ONE HALF TO ONE INCH FALLS OVER THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. **NEVER** DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. FLOOD WATERS ARE USUALLY DEEPER THAN THEY APPEAR. ONE FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD.

WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED ROADS MAKE THE SMART CHOICE...TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE ELEVATED LEVELS ON SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS...AND PONDING OF WATER ON COUNTRY ROADS AND FARMLAND ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS AND STREAMS.

Snow, High Wind and Possible Spot Flooding This Week

A strong winter storm will impact southwest Washington and northwest Oregon today through Wednesday. More snow and now high winds are expected with some flooding possible toward the end of the week.

Below are estimates of what we can expect and during what time frames:

Snow
Location: NW OR & SW WA Coast Range
Expected window of when this will occur: Today and Wed
10 to 20 inches
Location: Central Coast Range
Today snow, then rain
6 to 12 inches

Location: Willamette & Lower Columbia Valleys (Mainly Portland Vicinity Northward)
Rain-snow line will shift north during the morning
Prime threat time: Wed (midnight – 8 AM)
Late morning (Clark-Cowlitz)

Wind
Location: Coast Range / Willapa Hills:
40 mph, gusts 80 mph (NW OR Cst Range)
20 mph, gusts 35 mph (Willapa Hills)
Expected Window of when this will occur: Wed (2 AM-4 PM)
Prime threat time: 6 AM-noon

High winds mainly Salem southward
20-30 mph, gusts 45-50 mph
Expected window of when this will occur: Wed (daytime)
Prime threat time: 10 AM – 2 PM

Rain
There is heavy rain potential. Rivers are expected to rise and there is the possibility for minor flooding later this week.

Unknowns
Where the rain/snow line will be
How much snow will fall on the valley floor

A Winter Storm Warning for Columbia County is in effect until 12 PM tomorrow.

Here is the text of the warning:
.COLD AIR HAS SETTLED OVER THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND WILL RESULT IN WINTRY WEATHER ACROSS SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON THROUGH WEDNESDAY. A REINFORCING COLD FRONT WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS WASHINGTON AND NORTHERN OREGON TODAY...BRINGING HEAVY SNOW TO THE CASCADES AND THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE...ALONG WITH SOME POSSIBLE LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS DOWN TO THE VALLEY FLOOR. A STRONGER LOW PRESSURE PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL THEN MOVE IN FROM THE SOUTHWEST LATE TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY... SPREADING ABUNDANT MOISTURE OVER THE VERY COLD AIR MASS THAT IS IN PLACE ACROSS THE REGION. THIS WILL RESULT IN MORE HEAVY SNOW FOR THE CASCADES AND COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE...AND MAY BRING ACCUMULATIONS TO THE NORTHERN LOWLANDS AS WELL...INCLUDING THE PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER METRO AREA. DETAILS ARE STILL VERY UNCERTAIN ESPECIALLY FOR THE LOWLANDS...BUT THE POTENTIAL IS THERE FOR THIS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT WINTER WEATHER EVENT.

Precautionary actions
*Be sure your car is stocked with emergency and winter weather supplies
*Have utility companies’ numbers handy in case of power outages
*Have flashlights and other power outage supplies easily accessible
*Stay tuned to your local news and EM social media for updates on the weather

Cold Nights, Freezing Fog, and possible Snow Flurries over the MLK Jr Weekend

Please drive and walk carefully when you travel outside for the next few days.

Watch and listen to your local weather forecasts or visit the NWS local forecast web page for details.

Go to http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Saint+Helens&state=OR&site=PQR&lat=45.8871&lon=-122.928. Click NWS refresh link to get the latest forecast or enter your zip code.