Monday, February 27, 2012

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.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

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.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

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.

Friday, February 3, 2012

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.