Thirty one years ago Mt. St. Helens reminded the world of the very real power and threat of volcanoes.
If you weren't alive to see the blast, or just want to relive it, KGW has compiled a page of video clips and photos of the eruption and subsequent ones in the years since. Click here to visit the KGW page.
The Boston Globe has a page with additional, poignant shots of the eruption and aftermath. Click here to view them.
Some of those who lost their lives in the eruption were representatives of a volunteer group that EM works with very closely-amateur radio operators. To read more about the ham radio operators that died in the eruption, click here. Their story is the third entry on the page.
Finally, do you know what to do the next time a local volcano erupts? Our local Oregon Red Cross has a wealth of information on how to prepare. Click here to visit the Red Cross page.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
High Wind Warning for Higher Elevations: 4-25-11
High Wind Warning in effect until 5 PM this evening for the higher elevations of Columbia County: Vernonia, Mist, Birkenfeld, etc. For more, please visit http://weather.gov/portland .
Thanks,
Columbia County Emergency Management
+++++++++++
High Wind Warning
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
520 AM PDT MON APR 25 2011
.A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING CENTER OF LOW PRESSURE APPROACHING THE
COAST IS PROJECTED TO MOVE ASHORE OVER THE CENTRAL OREGON COAST
THEN TRACK TO THE NORTH EAST THIS MORNING. EXPECT A FAIRLY SUDDEN
SURGE OF WIND TO PUSH ONSHORE WITH AN ASSOCIATED FRONT EARLY THIS
MORNING...EVEN AFFECTING INLAND AREAS BY MID MORNING. WITH LEAVES
DEVELOPING ON TREES AND VERY SOGGY GROUND...TREES AND POWER LINES
WILL BE MORE PRONE TO BEING DOWNED BY THE STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS.
ORZ001>004-252100-
/O.CON.KPQR.HW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-110426T0000Z/
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
520 AM PDT MON APR 25 2011
...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT THIS
AFTERNOON FOR THE NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST AND COAST RANGE...
A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT THIS
AFTERNOON.
* WINDS: EXPECT SOUTH WINDS 35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 55 TO 65
MPH AT HEADLANDS AND BEACHES AND ON EXPOSED RIDGETOPS OF THE
COAST RANGE. THIS PARTICULAR STORM MAY ALSO AFFECT SOME OF THE
COAST RANGE VALLEYS WITH POTENTIALLY DAMAGING WINDS.
* TIMING: STRONG WINDS DEVELOP EARLY THIS MORNING AND CONTINUE
FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE MORNING...WITH VERY BLUSTERY
CONDITIONS PERSISTING THROUGH MUCH OF THE AFTERNOON.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: VERNONIA...LINCOLN CITY...NEWPORT...CAPE
FOULWEATHER...YACHATS...FLORENCE...ASTORIA...CANNON BEACH...
TILLAMOOK...NETARTS...PACIFIC CITY
* IMPACTS: WITH SPRING LEAVES DEVELOPING ON TREES AND VERY
SOGGY GROUND...TREES AND POWER LINES WILL BE MORE PRONE THAN
USUAL TO BEING DOWNED BY THE STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS. DRIVING
MAY ALSO BECOME DIFFICULT DUE TO THE STRONG AND GUSTY
WINDS... ESPECIALLY IN HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.
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.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Cooking in the Dark Class
How can you and your family stay at home and live comfortably without electricity and running water for at least 2 weeks?
Come to the Cooking in the Dark seminar on Monday, May 9, 2011 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM to find out.
Other topics discussed will include:
*Myths and facts about water storage and purification
*Safe long term light options
*Cooking options for inside and outside
*Meal planning for 2 weeks
*Shelter-in-place procedures
Come to the Cooking in the Dark seminar on Monday, May 9, 2011 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM to find out.
Other topics discussed will include:
*Myths and facts about water storage and purification
*Safe long term light options
*Cooking options for inside and outside
*Meal planning for 2 weeks
*Shelter-in-place procedures
To register email Holly at: hollyh427@gmail.com
There is a $5 charge for this class.
This class will be held at Best Western, 585 S Columbia River Hwy., St. Helens, OR.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Facebook Page
Interested in seeing pictures of some of our events or learning more about what we do? Check out our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbia-County-Emergency-Management/134474983641
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbia-County-Emergency-Management/134474983641
Shelter Class on April 30 CANCELED
Columbia County Emergency Management has CANCELED the Shelter Operations class set for April 30th in St. Helens due to low registration. For questions, please call 503-366-3905.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Portland EM Hiring Public Information Officer
The Portland Office of Emergency Management is hiring a PIO. Click here for details - http://www.portlandonline.com/bhr/jobs/260/Public-Information-Officer. The deadline to apply is Monday, May 9th at 4:30 p.m. Feel free to forward to your networks.
Thanks,
Dan Douthit
Interim Public Information Officer
Portland Office of Emergency Management (Portland OEM)
1001 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 650
Portland, Oregon 97204
503-823-3928 work
503-793-1650 cell
dan.douthit@portlandoregon.gov
Friday, April 8, 2011
FEMA Online Learning Offline
The current national budget Continuing Resolution for this fiscal year expires tonight at midnight. No new budget has been approved, and DHS, who FEMA falls under, is listed as working, but under limited capacity. As a result, FEMA online learning has been shut down until a new budget is approved. This will affect your ability to complete online classes needed for NIMS and other certifications.
This is the page you'll see if you do try to access FEMA's online learning.
For information on which other federal government agencies will be affected by a shut down click the following:
Restrictions on Scappoose-Vernonia Road
On Scappoose-Vernonia, at Milepost 8 (where the slide is located) there is now a 15 Ton weight limit. Empty trucks are OK, but NOT loaded trucks. The weight restriction only applies to that section of Scappoose-Vernonia
The north (west bound) lane has dropped about 5 ft for about a 100 ft stretch, and continues to creep down a very steep hill side. We have restricted the road to one lane at that location. If the condition worsens, we may need to restrict truck traffic from using Scappoose Vernonia Road. We have some funds to do repairs, but due to contracts and permits, work will probably not start until July.
--Info Courtesy of Columbia County Roads Department
--Info Courtesy of Columbia County Roads Department
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Shelter Class: April 30th
Shelter Operations and Shelter Simulation
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 09:00 - 16:00
Join us for Shelter Operation and Shelter Simulation!
When: Saturday April 30, 2011 from 9 AM to 4 PM
Where: Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Training Room, 58443 Old Portland Road, St. Helens
To Register: Complete your registration on our Survey Monkey registration page: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N9SK9QT or Call Emergency Management at 503-366-3931
Cost: Free
Length: 7 hours
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Special Weather Statement for Columbia County: April 5, 2011
Snow is possible (yes, snow) in Columbia County tonight through Thursday. Please make sure to travel safely. You may check state road conditions by calling 511 or going to http://tripcheck.com .
--Columbia County Emergency Management
Special Weather Statement
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
405 AM PDT TUE APR 5 2011
ORZ003>008-010-012-014-WAZ020-022-039-040-052300-
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-UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY-
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...SANDY...
SILVER FALLS STATE PARK...SWEET HOME...VIDA...LOWELL...
COTTAGE GROVE...PARKDALE...ODELL...FRANCES...RYDERWOOD...
LONGVIEW...KELSO...CASTLE ROCK...VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...
WASHOUGAL...TOUTLE...ARIEL...COUGAR
405 AM PDT TUE APR 5 2011
...SNOW LIKELY IN THE CASCADE FOOTHILLS AND THE COASTAL MOUNTAINS
OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
THURSDAY...
...UNSEASONABLY LOW SNOW LEVELS OVER SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND
NORTHWEST OREGON LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY...
A LARGE COLD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE NORTHEAST PACIFIC AND
THE GULF OF ALASKA WILL SPREAD UNSEASONABLY COLD AIR OVER
SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON TONIGHT CONTINUING
THROUGH THURSDAY.
SNOW LEVELS WILL LOWER TO AROUND 1500 FEET WEDNESDAY...AND WILL
LOCALLY BE IN THE 1000 TO 1500 FOOT RANGE AT TIMES THROUGH
THURSDAY. THIS WILL BRING SNOW TO THE CASCADE FOOTHILLS...THE
COASTAL MOUNTAINS AND THE UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY BY WEDNESDAY
MORNING...CONTINUING THROUGH THURSDAY. FROM 3 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW
IS POSSIBLE IN THE FOOTHILLS AND THE COASTAL MOUNTAINS WEDNESDAY
THROUGH THURSDAY...WITH A FEW INCHES POSSIBLE IN THE COAST RANGE
PASSES AND IN THE UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY.
EVEN A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE IN THE HIGHER HILLS
AROUND THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY...THE INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR THROUGH
SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND THE WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE.
$$
FOR ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION...VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PORTLAND
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)