CANCELED: High Wind Warning

The high wind warning has been canceled as of 5 PM 3/15/2011.

Thanks,

Columbia County Emergency Management

High Wind Warning for Columbia County: March 15, 2011

High Wind Warning for Columbia County for March 15, 2011 until 9 PM this evening. Most of the area affected will be higher elevations, such as Vernonia and Mist.

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

--Columbia County Emergency Management

+++++++++

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
341 PM PDT TUE MAR 15 2011

...QUICK BURST OF STRONG WINDS TO AFFECT COAST AND COAST RANGE
THROUGH THIS EVENING...

.LOW PRESSURE OFFSHORE IS PUSHING STRONG WINDS ALOFT DOWN TO THE
SURFACE THIS AFTERNOON. INITIALLY THESE STRONG WINDS WERE ONLY
OCCURRING IN THUNDERSTORMS...BUT NOW THEY ARE BECOMING MORE
WIDESPREAD ALONG THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND COAST
RANGE. EXPECT STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS AT TIMES THROUGH THIS EVENING
BEFORE WINDS DECREASE LATER TONIGHT.

ORZ001>004-160400-
/O.NEW.KPQR.HW.W.0011.110315T2241Z-110316T0400Z/
NORTH OREGON COAST-CENTRAL OREGON COAST-
COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-
CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ASTORIA...CANNON BEACH...TILLAMOOK...
NETARTS...PACIFIC CITY...LINCOLN CITY...NEWPORT...
CAPE FOULWEATHER...YACHATS...FLORENCE...VERNONIA
341 PM PDT TUE MAR 15 2011

...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND COAST RANGE...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 65 MPH...
 ESPECIALLY IN EXPOSED LOCATIONS.

* TIMING: NOW THROUGH 9 PM THIS EVENING.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: VERNONIA...LINCOLN CITY...NEWPORT...CAPE
 FOULWEATHER...YACHATS...FLORENCE...ASTORIA...CANNON BEACH...
 TILLAMOOK...NETARTS...PACIFIC CITY

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

Special Weather Statement: 3/15/2011

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1140 AM PDT TUE MAR 15 2011

ORZ001>008-010-012-WAZ020>022-039-040-160045-
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-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...SANDY...
SILVER FALLS STATE PARK...SWEET HOME...VIDA...LOWELL...
COTTAGE GROVE...FRANCES...RYDERWOOD...RAYMOND...LONG BEACH...
CATHLAMET...LONGVIEW...KELSO...CASTLE ROCK...VANCOUVER...
BATTLE GROUND...WASHOUGAL...TOUTLE...ARIEL...COUGAR
1140 AM PDT TUE MAR 15 2011

...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED THROUGH THIS EVENING...

AN INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE WILL LIKELY LEAD TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON THIS AFTERNOON. THUNDERSTORMS MAY BECOME INCREASINGLY STRONG AS THE AFTERNOON PROGRESSES...WITH LOCAL GUSTY WINDS AND HAIL POSSIBLE. THERE IS ALSO AN ENHANCED POSSIBILITY OF
FUNNEL CLOUDS THIS AFTERNOON. FUNNEL CLOUDS OFTEN DO NOT TOUCH THE
GROUND. HOWEVER...IF THEY DO TOUCH THE GROUND THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND CAN BE DAMAGING.

Nuclear Concerns FAQ from Oregon Health Authority

March 14, 2011 EVENT IN JAPAN AND MONITORING IN OREGON: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. Are there radiological dangers in Oregon due to the nuclear release in Japan?
A. No. We are 4,700 miles away from Japan and any airborne particles are not expected to reach us. There is no indication at this time that there is any health risk.

Q. What happened at the nuclear facility in Japan?
A. The major earthquake damaged nuclear facilities in Japan. In response, Japanese engineers are taking emergency measures to prevent a serious release of radioactive materials. At this time, there are no health risks for Oregonians.

Q. How does this event differ from the Cherynobyl nuclear reactor meltdown event in 1986?
This event is entirely different than what took place in Chernobyl. Unlike Chernobyl, there has been no catastrophic failure.

Q. Are Oregonians on the coast at greater risk than people inland?
A. No. No radiation has been released into the atmosphere that can reach us anywhere in the state. Therefore, there are no current health concerns for any Oregonians on the coast or inland.

Q. Are Oregon officials currently monitoring radiation levels in Oregon? Air and Water?
A. Yes. Radiation levels have been continuously and routinely monitored by Oregon Public Health and EPA for twenty‐five years. If the situation in Japan worsens and the potential risk to Oregonians changes, public health officials will inform the public.

Q. What is Potassium Iodide?
Potassium Iodide (KI) is an iodine supplement that is available over the counter, such as ThryoSafe and ThyroShield. KI is used around nuclear releases to block the uptake of radioactive iodine in the body.

Q. Do I need to take KI to protect against radiation exposure?
A. No. KI is only appropriate within a very close proximity to a nuclear event. Because we are about 4800 miles away there is no need for protection. In fact, using KI when inappropriate could have potential serious side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

Q. Are there any protective measures I should currently take?
A. No, not given our current situation. If the potential risk to Oregonians changes, local Oregon officials will inform you of the appropriate precautionary procedures.

Q. How do I get more information?
A. Monitor the Oregon Health Authority website @ http://public.health.oregon.gov/Preparedness/CurrentHazards/Pages/index.aspx

Public Health Information about Japanese Nuclear Threat

This is information from CHD Public Health regarding concerns about radiation from Japan's failing nuclear facilities. In sum, there is no likely risk to Oregonians. If there was a risk, our public health partners would react very quickly to it.

Please feel free to contact Anne Parrott, the public health preparedness coordinator, if you have questions about health effects or contact us regarding any other disaster-related questions at 503-366-3931 or emergency.management@co.columbia.or.us .

Thanks,

Columbia County Emergency Management

>>>>>>

All,

There is much concern and confusion in our communities regarding the risk of radiation exposure in the Pacific NW and the possible need to begin taking potassium iodide/iodine to lessen the risk of developing future health problems due to radiation exposure. We have been informed by our federal and state Public Health experts that it is highly unlikely that Oregon citizens will be at risk for radiation exposure from the Japanese nuclear reactor malfunctions and the only people who should take potassium iodide/iodine are those that are within a few miles of the nuclear site. They have also warned us that potassium iodide/iodine can present health risks to pregnant women, women who are nursing and people with diabetes.

We encourage you to share this information with your staff/employees, community partners, family, friends, etc.

Anne Parrott, M.S.

Coordinator: Public Health Preparedness

Columbia County Medical Reserve Corps

Columbia County Push Partner Registry

Columbia County SNS

Columbia Health District - Public Health Authority

Office: 503-397-4651 x2022

Email: aparrott@chdpublichealth.com

Columbia County Emergency Management will also try to present.....

Columbia County Social Services Provider Agencies for kids and adults, will be hosting three FREE informational panel discussions on services available to any person with any type of disability (for example; physical, emotional, mental, intellectual, developmental, etc.)

WHO IS INVITED?

ü Individuals (Veterans, Seniors, Adults, Children, etc.) with any type of disability

ü Parents of individuals with disabilities

ü Teachers of individuals with disabilities

ü Care givers of individuals with disabilities

ü and professionals delivering services to individuals with disabilities

MEETINGS TO BE HELD:

1.) April 5^th from 7-8 p.m. at the Clatskanie District Office

555 Bryant in Clatskanie

2.) April 12^th from 7-8 p.m. at Vernonia Middle School cafeteria

249 Bridge Street in Vernonia

3.) April 19^th from 7-8 p.m. at Columbia Community Mental Health’s

Community Room

58646 McNulty Way in St. Helens

FOR MORE, CALL NANCY AT 503-438-2223

Agricultural Disaster Declaration for Columbia County: March 4, 2011

Columbia County Receives Agricultural

Disaster Assistance Declaration

March 3, 2011 – St. Helens, OR – Columbia County farmers are eligible for disaster assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for potential losses from January’s storms.

President Barack Obama declared a disaster for several Oregon counties, including Clatsop County, on February 17^th for damage from rain and landslides that occurred January 13-21, 2010. This declaration included programs from the USDA. Due to the way the USDA disaster declaration process works, farmers in counties contiguous to those counties declared 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, whose agency deals with major emergency preparedness and response. “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 October 17^th, 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.

For more about Columbia County Emergency Management, check out its blog at http://columbiacountyem.blogspot.com or call 503-366-3931.

Amber Alert From Chehalis

Amber Alert issued for boy taken from Chehalis

columbian.com

An Amber Alert has been activated in the search for a 34-year-old man who allegedly abducted his 4-year-old son this morning from the Human Response Network family counseling offices in Chehalis.

The Washington alert was backed by one in Oregon activated at 12:21 p.m.

Dustin Reed is reportedly driving a black 1995 four-door Infinity with license plate number 617TQP. His son’s name is Jacek.

Police believe Reed has family in the Centralia area. His vehicle was last seen heading toward Interstate 5 from the counseling offices.

Reed is believed to be on military leave from Kentucky. He allegedly took his son by force and may have injured him during the abduction while placing him in the car.

No weapons were used during the incident.

Jacek is about 44 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He has a red mark under his left eye and was wearing a blue-gray Mario T-shirt, blue flannel jacket, blue jeans and blue boots.

Dustin Reed is about 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He was wearing a black leather jacket and jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Washington State Patrol at 360-748-8605 or call 911.

Update on Roads: 3/1/2011 at 11:30 AM

Here are updates on roads around Columbia County:

Turley Road, between Daisy Lane and Church Road--power line down along roadside; fire and PUD crews en route.

Nick Thomas Road: now open.

Walker Road, north one-half mile of Beaver Homes Road: closed, blocked by fallen tree.

See previous blog post for other road conditions.

Road Update: March 1, 2011

Some road issues as of 9:30 on 3/1/2011:

OR 47, Mist-Clatskanie: Chains required for vehicles towing or over 10,000 GWV.

US 30, 1 mile east/south of Goble: minor delays with flaggers on-scene.

Apiary, Karth-Schaffer: Tree, power lines on road. Traffic slow at this time.

Nick Thomas Road off Neer City Road: Closed by fallen tree.

Girt Road: Closed by fallen trees.

Please report road obstructions on County roads to 503-397-5090.