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.

High Wind Warning from 12/27/2011 7:56 PM to 12/28/2011 4:00 AM PST for Columbia County. http://bit.ly/tGwM9S for more information.

Three Back-to-Back Storms this Week

There will be three back to back rain storms blowing into Oregon this week.

Per the December 27th, 2011 National Weather Service forecast, it will be wet and windy but no widespread flooding anticipated. See the NWS local forecast web page for details: 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.

The full text of the special weather statement is listed below.

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-NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES-
CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY-CASCADES IN LANE COUNTY-
UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY-SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES-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...GOVERNMENT CAMP...
DETROIT...SANTIAM PASS...VIDA...LOWELL...COTTAGE GROVE...
MCKENZIE BRIDGE...OAKRIDGE...WILLAMETTE PASS...PARKDALE...ODELL...
COLDWATER RIDGE VISITORS CENTER...MOUNT ST. HELENS...FRANCES...
RYDERWOOD...RAYMOND...LONG BEACH...CATHLAMET...LONGVIEW...KELSO...
CASTLE ROCK...STEVENSON...SKAMANIA...VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...
WASHOUGAL...TOUTLE...ARIEL...COUGAR
136 PM PST TUE DEC 27 2011

...WET AND WINDY CONDITIONS THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK...

A STRONG JET STREAM WILL DIRECT A SERIES OF WET AND WINDY SYSTEMS
ACROSS SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK IN RAPID SUCCESSION. THESE SYSTEMS WILL HAVE SNOW LEVELS WELL ABOVE PASS LEVEL. HIGH WINDS ARE EXPECTED AT THE COAST AND IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE COAST RANGE AT TIMES...BEGINNING TONIGHT. WINDY CONDITIONS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE AT TIMES INLAND...INCLUDING TONIGHT INTO EARLY WEDNESDAY.

WHILE NO PARTICULAR SYSTEM APPEARS THAT IT WILL CAUSE WIDESPREAD
FLOODING...RIVERS AND CREEKS WILL RISE FAIRLY QUICKLY. RAINFALL
AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES OR MORE ARE CERTAINLY POSSIBLE ALONG THE
COAST...COAST RANGE...AND IN THE CASCADES...WITH MORE THAN 2
INCHES IN THE VALLEY.

AS THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND APPROACHES...A COLD FRONT WILL COME
THROUGH ON FRIDAY BRINGING SNOW BACK TO THE CASCADES. WHILE MUCH
OF THE SNOW WILL FALL AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS...SNOW LEVELS WILL BE
DROPPING BELOW PASS LEVELS...SUCH THAT SNOW COVERED ROADS ARE
POSSIBLE FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO EARLY SATURDAY.

RESIDENTS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON ARE URGED TO CLOSELY MONITOR WEATHER FORECASTS DURING THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

Holiday Fire Prevention

According to FEMA, home fires are more prevalent in the winter holiday season than any other time of the year causing $990 million in damage. Increases in cooking, home heating, and holiday decorations all contribute to home fires. Here are some simple preventative measures to make sure you have a safe holiday season:

• Do not leave your stove or oven unattended while cooking as this is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen.

• Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent.

• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.

• Do not leave candles unattended. In one-fifth (20%) of candle fires, the candles are unattended or abandoned.

Holiday Travel? Check out these driving trips

Winter Driving Tips:

1. Winter Readiness Kit. There are many things that should be kept in a vehicle during the winter season, here is a list of the minimum items:

a. Bottle of water and some food (backpacking meals, food bars, etc)

b. Tire chains and ties

c. Jumper Cables

d. Small tarp to kneel on and many other uses during an emergency

e. Space or wool blanket

f. Flashlight

g. Road flairs

h. Small shovel

i. Gloves

j. First Aid Kit

k. A sandbag or two full of sand

l. A good book…

Other vehicle tips include making sure your vehicle is in good running order and the battery is good. Always keep the gas tank at least half full when traveling, and make sure someone knows where you are going. For more ideas on how to be prepared, search for ideas on the internet.

2. Rain. Rain can make roads slick by reducing tire friction in two ways. The rain can mix with oils on the road forming a slick solution and/or the water can float (hydro-plane) the tires off the road surface if the tire (vehicle) speed is great enough. This can occur at speeds as low as 35mph. When it has not rained in some time, be cautious as the built up oils and water can be very slick even during the summer. And anytime there is water on the road surface, slow down to prevent hydro-planing.

3. Frost. As the temperature drops to near freezing (32° F) the road may develop frost crystals, even though it appears to be bare and dry. This can reduce the traction between the vehicles tires and the road surface. If your vehicle has a thermometer that measures the outside ambient air temperature, when it gets to 33-34° F or lower, slow down and watch for sparkles from the ice crystals on the road and the road’s shoulder. If frost is seen, slow down.

4. Black Ice. When the temperature is near freezing, be cautious of any locations on the road that appears to be wet (the pavement will appear black). This may be what is known as black ice and is extremely slick. Slow down prior to the location. When on the location, do not make any quick changes in movement (jerking the steering wheel, hitting the breaks, etc). Just try to “glide” through the location making no quick movements.

5. Elevation. Typically as you gain elevation the temperature will drop. Dependent on other weather conditions, the drop can be anywhere between 3° F to 6° F per 1000 ft. gained. So even though there is no ice or snow at your location (elevation), if you travel up into the hills, you may very well encounter it, so slow down.

6. Cold Air Sinks. As cold air is heavier then warm air, it can sink down to lower elevations. Some areas such as the Chapman area on Scappoose Vernonia Road are known as a cold air sink areas and may be colder then areas even at higher elevations. The cold air may sit in these areas for days allowing for frost or ice to develop making the roads slick. Watch for frost or snow hanging around in an area longer than other areas, and slow down.

7. Bridges. Bridges have no insulating material under them (soil or rock), thus will frost / freeze faster then the main road surface. When the temperature is near freezing, slow down when approaching and crossing bridges.

8. De-icer. ODOT and the County use chemical de-icer (magnesium chloride) on some roads when the weather conditions are right. Once the road has been sprayed with de-icer, it can remain effective for up to 5 days. Rain will dilute and wash the de-icer off the road, so timing of when to apply it is critical. Also, de-icer is only effective when the temperatures are within 15 ° of 32° F. De-icer is great, but don’t trust it. The de-icer may be old or diluted, or the temperature may be too low for it to be totally effective. So when the temperatures are at or near freezing, slow down.

9. Sanding Rock. ODOT and the County use sanding rock during certain weather conditions. This is the material that is used on most County roads. It is not affected by temperature or rain. However, as each vehicle passes over a sanded road, the tires bounce/throw the sand off the road. After several hours of high volume traffic, most of the sand may have been kicked off the road. So when the temperatures are at or near freezing, even though the road has been sanded, slow down.

10. Shadows and shaded areas. Many areas of our roads may remain in shaded areas throughout the day. In these areas the sun has not had an opportunity to warm the road and melt any frost or ice that may have formed during the night. So during the day, most of the road may be clear of ice and frost, except these shaded areas, which can be extremely treacherous. So when the temperatures are at or near freezing, slow down when coming into a shaded area, even though most of the road is exposed to the sun and is clear and dry.

11. Snow. The road crews work very hard and put in long hours trying to keep the roads clear of snow. However, during large long snow events, that may not be totally possible. When the roads are covered with snow even to the lower elevations, the crews will usually start at the higher elevations, where the problems are greatest, maintaining priority roads first. As the priority roads are opened and cleared, the crews will begin working on secondary roads. During snow plowing periods, only limited sand will be used, and no de-icer. It is not efficient to sand a road, only hours later to again plow that road and throw the previous sand into the ditch with the snow. Use appropriate traction device on tires, slow down, and travel when only necessary.

12. Ice. Ice is extremely slick when the temperature is just a few degrees above or below freezing. When ice is encountered do not contuct any quick movements, as was described in #3. Metal studs or chains/cables on the vehicle tires help, but even they cannot be counted on. When the roads are iced over, it is a very good idea to travel only when necessary.

13. Mud on the Road. Many land use activities can cause mud to be tracked onto the road’s surface. The amount of mud can be anything from just enough to “paint” the road a light brown, to a couple of inches. If the moisture content is just right, the mud can be extremely slick. Watch for activities off the road that may drag mud onto the road’s surface. When such activities are seen, slow down in anticipation of encountering slick mud.

Preparedness Presents

Give preparedness presents this holiday season. They're good for that hard-to-shop-for person and are a unique way to show you care.

Emergency and preparedness items that might make great gifts include:

• NOAA Weather Radios and extra batteries.
• Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class.
• GPS units for vehicles.
• Smoke detectors.
• Emergency cell phones.
• Appropriate fire extinguishers (kitchen, garage, car).
• Disaster kits for homes, offices and vehicles (first aid kits, food, water and prescription medications for 72 hours, extra eyeglasses or contact lenses, extra clothing, blankets, flashlights and spare batteries, heavy-duty work gloves and sturdy shoes).
• Foldable ladders for second-story escape in a fire.
• Car kits (emergency flares, shovels, ice scrapers, flashlights and fluorescent distress flags).
• Pet Disaster Kits (food, water, leashes, dishes and carrying case or crate).
• A camp stove with extra fuel.
• The gift of a gardener to cut back combustible vegetation from wildfire-vulnerable homes.
• National Flood Insurance.

Storm Ready Ceremony

Please join us next Wednsday, December 14th at 10:30 AM as we celebrate being recognized as StormReady! The reception will be held at the Columbia County Roads Department.

MEDIA RELEASE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PRESENTS

STORM READY CERTIFICATION TO COLUMBIA COUNTY

Columbia County will be presented with a Storm Ready Certification from the National Weather Service at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on December 14th at 10:00 am. For those wanting to attend the presentation by the National Weather Service, the event will take place at the Columbia County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR in Room 308.

Following the presentation of the certification to the County Commissioners, there will be a reception for the public at the County Roads Department, 1054 Oregon Street, St. Helens, OR, at 10:30 AM. This will be an opportunity to talk with representatives from the National Weather Service, Columbia County Emergency Management and Columbia 911 Communication about the certification and what it means to the county.

Columbia County is the fourth county in Oregon to receive this designation and the first in the Portland metropolitan area.

Storm Ready communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help communities save lives. http://www.stormready.noaa.gov/

Air Stagnation Advisory

An air stagnation advisory has been issued for Columbia county and will be in effect until 4 PM Friday. This means that air is not moving due to an inversion layer and pollution levels will be higher than normal due to the lack of movement.

Read the full text of the advisory below.

ORZ005>007-WAZ022-039-060300-
/O.EXT.KPQR.AS.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-111210T0000Z/
LOWER COLUMBIA-GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-
CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY-I-5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-
GREATER VANCOUVER AREA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. HELENS...HILLSBORO...PORTLAND...
OREGON CITY...GRESHAM...TROUTDALE...SALEM...MCMINNVILLE...
LONGVIEW...KELSO...VANCOUVER...BATTLE GROUND...CAMAS...WASHOUGAL
1055 AM PST MON DEC 5 2011

...AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST FRIDAY FOR
THE GREATER PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER METRO AREAS...THE CENTRAL
WILLAMETTE VALLEY...THE LOWER COLUMBIA AND THE I-5 CORRIDOR IN
COWLITZ COUNTY...

THE AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST
FRIDAY.

* TIMING: NOW THROUGH FRIDAY.

* CONDITIONS: AIR QUALITY IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN POOR THROUGH
FRIDAY DUE TO A STRONG TEMPERATURE INVERSION TRAPPING POLLUTANTS
NEAR IN THE LOWER ATMOSPHERE. THERE MAY BE SOME IMPROVEMENT
WEDNESDAY AS A WEATHER DISTURBANCE PASSES TO THE NORTH AND EAST
BUT SHOULD BE BRIEF IF AT ALL.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN LIMITED MOVEMENT OF AN
AIR MASS IS EXPECTED TO ALLOW POLLUTION LEVELS TO INCREASE...WITH
CONDITIONS PERSISTING AT LEAST 72 HOURS. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL
AIR QUALITY AGENCY FOR POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS IN YOUR AREA. THIS
PRODUCT WILL BE UPDATED AT LEAST EVERY 24 HOURS WHEN CONDITIONS
EXIST OR ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE.

&&