Winter Weather Advisory: February 16-17. 2011

This has certainly been an active week for weather/natural hazards alerts!

The following is a winter weather advisory in effect for most of Columbia County from now until 6 AM Thursday. The notice specifically discusses the Coast Range and Vernonia, but other higher-elevation parts of the county will likely see some snow as well or already have. Please consider this when driving, especially if driving in the Coast Range.

For more information, visit http://weather.gov/portland .

For state road conditions, visit http://tripcheck.net .

Thanks,

Columbia County Emergency Management

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

Winter Weather Advisory

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
821 AM PST WED FEB 16 2011

CORRECTED THE SYNOPSIS

.SHOWERS FROM A LARGE COLD UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM ALONG THE COAST
WILL SPREAD ONSHORE AT TIMES FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THIS WILL
ALLOW SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TO LOW ELEVATIONS...THOUGH THE MAIN
IMPACT WILL BE ABOVE 500 TO 1000 FEET.

ORZ003-170045-
/O.NEW.KPQR.WW.Y.0008.110216T1621Z-110217T1400Z/
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...VERNONIA
821 AM PST WED FEB 16 2011

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM PST THURSDAY FOR
THE COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM PST
THURSDAY.

* TIMING...TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT.

* ACCUMULATION/SNOW LEVELS...EXPECT 1 TO 3 INCH ACCUMULATIONS
 TODAY AND AGAIN TONIGHT.

* IMPACTS...ROADS THROUGH THE NORTH OREGON COAST RANGE INCLUDING
 THE MAIN PASSES WILL BE SNOW COVERED FOR THE MOST PART.

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.

Special Weather Statement: February 15, 2011

Special weather statement concerning the possibility of cold-air funnels today. While low in probability, these can turn into small, short-lived but dangerous wind storms. If one does touch down, take cover in a sturdy building (away from windows), drop to the floor and cover your head until the event passes.

Again, there is a low probability, but we wanted to give you a heads-up just in case. Please feel free to pass along to others who may need to know this information.

For further weather investigation, please visit http://weather.gov/portland . By the way, some snow flakes have fallen in the Vernonia area and some light snow is expected later this week in many areas of the county.

Columbia County Emergency Management

>>> EWARN- 2/15/2011 8:28 AM >>>
WWUS86 KPQR 151628
SPSPQR

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
828 AM PST TUE FEB 15 2011

ORZ001>010-012-WAZ020>023-039-040-160000-
NORTH OREGON COAST-CENTRAL OREGON COAST-
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-
CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY-WILLAPA HILLS-
SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST-I-5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-
GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASTORIA...CANNON BEACH...TILLAMOOK...
LINCOLN CITY...NEWPORT...FLORENCE...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...VIDA...LOWELL...
COTTAGE GROVE...FRANCES...RYDERWOOD...RAYMOND...LONG BEACH...
CATHLAMET...LONGVIEW...KELSO...CASTLE ROCK...STEVENSON...
SKAMANIA...VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL...TOUTLE...
ARIEL...COUGAR
828 AM PST TUE FEB 15 2011

THE AIR MASS OVER NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON WILL
BE COOL AND UNSTABLE TODAY AFTER THIS MORNINGS COLD FRONT MOVES
INLAND. 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.



$$




www.weather.gov/

Minor Mt. St. Helens Quake Today: 2-14-11

Earthquake swarm near Mount St. Helens rattles region

Longview Daily News

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_e4d4e12a-386b-11e0-918b-001cc4c002e0.html

High Wind Warning for Columbia County: 2-14-11

High wind warning until 8 PM tonight. For more, check out the National Weather Service's Portland office online at http://weather.gov/portland .

Derek White
Emergency Management

+++++++++++

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
405 AM PST MON FEB 14 2011

.ANOTHER STRONG PACIFIC COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH THE SOUTH
WASHINGTON AND NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON COASTS MONDAY MORNING AND
MOVE ONSHORE EARLY MONDAY AFTERNOON...WITH STRONG WINDS EXPECTED
AHEAD OF THE FRONT. A SECOND SURGE OF STRONG WINDS IS POSSIBLE
MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING WITH ANOTHER SECONDARY FRONT.

ORZ001>004-WAZ020-021-142315-
/O.CON.KPQR.HW.W.0004.110214T1600Z-110215T0400Z/
NORTH OREGON COAST-CENTRAL OREGON COAST-
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-
CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-WILLAPA HILLS-
SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASTORIA...CANNON BEACH...TILLAMOOK...
NETARTS...PACIFIC CITY...LINCOLN CITY...NEWPORT...
CAPE FOULWEATHER...YACHATS...FLORENCE...VERNONIA...RAYMOND...
LONG BEACH...CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT
405 AM PST MON FEB 14 2011

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM PST THIS EVENING FOR THE WILLAPA HILLS...AND THE COAST AND
COAST RANGE OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL OREGON...

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM PST THIS EVENING.

* WINDS: SOUTH WINDS OF 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH ARE LIKELY FOR
 EXPOSED AREAS IN THE COASTAL HILLS. WINDS WILL REMAIN
 SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER IN THE SHELTERED VALLEYS SUCH AS THE
 NEHALEM RIVER VALLEY.
 FOR THE COAST...SOUTH WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH
 WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH ARE EXPECTED IN THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES.
 SOUTH WINDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 75 MPH ARE EXPECTED
 NEAR BEACHES AND HEADLANDS.

* TIMING: HIGH WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BY LATE MORNING AND MIDDAY
 HOURS. WINDS WILL REMAIN STRONG IN EXPOSED AREAS OF THE COAST
 RANGE THROUGH THIS EVENING.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: EXPOSED RIDGES OF THE COAST RANGE AND WILLAPA
 HILLS...AS WELL AS SOME OF THE PASSES THROUGH THE COAST RANGE.
 TOWNS MOST LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED INCLUDE FRANCES...THE GALES
 CREEK AREA...AND BLODGETT.
 FOR THE COAST...LINCOLN CITY...NEWPORT...CAPE FOULWEATHER...
 YACHATS...FLORENCE...ASTORIA...CANNON BEACH...TILLAMOOK...
 NETARTS...PACIFIC CITY... RAYMOND...LONG BEACH...CAPE
 DISAPPOINTMENT

* IMPACTS: SOME DAMAGE CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THE HIGH
 WINDS...ESPECIALLY TO SIGNS...TREE LIMBS AND POWER LINES. POWER
 OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION IN THE WARNING
 AREA AND BE PREPARED FOR FLYING DEBRIS.


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. MOTORISTS
TRAVELING ACROSS THE COAST RANGE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR STRONG
WINDS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DOWNED TREES OR TREE LIMBS

High Wind Warning for Columbia County 2/12/2011

High Wind Warning

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
348 PM PST SAT FEB 12 2011

...UPDATED TO INCREASE THE WIND GUSTS ALONG THE COAST AND INCLUDE
THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES...

.STRONG WINDS AHEAD OF A STRONG PACIFIC COLD FRONT WILL CONTINUE
UNTIL THE FRONT MAKES LANDFALL BY 8 PM ALONG THE SOUTH WASHINGTON
AND NORTH OREGON COAST AND BY 10 PM ALONG THE CENTRAL OREGON
COAST.

ORZ003-004-WAZ020-130600-
/O.EXA.KPQR.HW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-110213T0600Z/
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-
CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-WILLAPA HILLS-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...VERNONIA
348 PM PST SAT FEB 12 2011

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING FOR
THE WILLAPA HILLS AND THE COAST RANGE OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL
OREGON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING.

* WINDS: SOUTH WINDS OF 35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 70 MPH OVER
 THE HIGHER TERRAIN. WINDS IN SHELTERED VALLEYS SUCH AS THE
 NEHALEM RIVER VALLEY WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY LIGHTER.

* TIMING: THROUGH 10 PM TONIGHT.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: EXPOSED RIDGES OF THE COAST RANGE AND WILLAPA
 HILLS...AS WELL AS SOME OF THE PASSES THROUGH THE COAST RANGE.
 TOWNS MOST LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED INCLUDE FRANCES...THE GALES
 CREEK AREA...AND BLODGETT.

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. MOTORISTS
TRAVELING ACROSS THE COAST RANGE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR STRONG
WINDS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DOWNED TREES OR TREE LIMBS.

Portland Police to Cover Columbia County During Painter Service

Portland Police to Cover Columbia County During Painter Service

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_784e076e-1df6-11e0-a053-001cc4c03286.html

Information about Rainier Police Chief Painter's Memorials

Information on the Chief Painter memorial sessions may be found at:

http://www.cityofrainier.com

Wintery Weather on Tap

The National Weather Service has advised us of wintery weather on tap for this weekend and mid-week next week. Details are still sketchy, but consider this your advance notice, as this could be played up in the media.

What we do know:

*Wintery weather is possible in the next several days for lower elevations.

*Light snow accumulations are possible Saturday night through Sunday morning.

*More significant snow and ice are possible mid-week next week.

*Details are still very uncertain, especially for next week's system.

Keep checking our blog for more information. We'll keep you informed as soon as we know more.

Post-Earthquake Buliding Safety Evaluation Class

Announcing an upcoming training opportunity in Columbia County March 16th.

The course is ATC 20: Procedures for Post-Earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings. It will be an interactive class and will train individuals to inspect buildings for safety of occupancy after an earthquake. Manuals and a working lunch will be provided to students.

Topics covered will include:
* Evaluation procedures
* Case studies of wood frame, masonry, concrete and steel structures
* Considerations for inspecting various construction types
* The Posting System
* Structural basics

When: Wednesday, March 16th, 9 AM to 4 PM with registration starting at 8:30 AM
Where: Columbia County Roads Administrative Office, 1054 Oregon Street, St. Helens
Lunch: A working lunch will be provided
Materials: Field manuals will be given to each student.
Register: By calling 503-366-3931 or emailing emergency.management@co.columbia.or.us

Pre-registration is required.
Registration closes Friday, February 25.

County, Columbia River Fire Sharing Resources

Columbia County Agencies Share Resources

to Prepare for Health Emergencies.

ST. HELENS–Columbia County and Columbia River Fire and Rescue (CRFR) recently agreed to share individual medical resources for their employees in the event of a major disease outbreak or bio-terrorism attack.

The agencies are now joint members under a program known as the Push Partner Registry, an effort of Columbia Health District - Public Health Authority and the Portland-metropolitan Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI).

The Push Partner Registry, a program under the Cities Readiness Initiative allows Columbia Health District (CHD) to leverage their limited resources through partners to help the general public. According to CHD public health preparedness coordinator Anne Parrott, in specific public health events CHD will focus on providing assistance to the general public as quickly as possible; Push Partners support this effort by running their own medication dispensing operation. “This removes the burden on public places of medication dispensing and keeping vital services, such as residential care facilities, open during the event,” Parrott stated.

Local agencies are taking advantage of the program in order to assist public health officials and protect employees. "Columbia County was really interested in this program, but we wanted to find a way to share it with a local partner in order to maximize taxpayer resources," said Derek White, director of emergency management for Columbia County. "With our close proximity and great working relationship with Columbia River Fire and Rescue, we felt that it was a great fit."

CRFR believes that participation is vital to what it does. “Prompt immunization and vaccinations of agencies who perform emergency response and maintain the critical infrastructure governmental services is critical in the successful mitigation of an event that posses serious health and exposure risks,” said Brian Burright, emergency medical services division chief at CRFR. “Participating in the Push Partner Registry assures that vaccinations can be rapidly dispensed to those agencies.”

Public agencies and private employers are welcome to join the Push Partner Registry for free. For more information, contact Anne Parrott at 503-397-4651, ext. 2022 or aparrott@chdpublichealth.com .