Scappoose-Vernonia Road Closure

Scappoose-Vernonia Road closure begins today, July 18th, and lasts through Friday July 29th. There is no local detour. Alternate travel routes are Apiary Road and the old Pittsburg Road. Please be aware that the old Pittsburg Road is a gravel road.

Ready Your Business

Did you know that up to 40% of businesses affected by a disaster never reopen?

If you own a business, know someone who does or would like to see your workplace be more prepared for disasters, FEMA has designed a webpage to help.

FEMA's Ready Business site has information and free resources to prepare your business, workplace and staff for the next disaster. Just click the blue text to go there.

Upcoming Out-of-County Classes

Our disaster preparedness partners have informed us about several upcoming training opportunities.

• CERT Train the Trainer- Hosted by Marylhurst College, August 3-5th

• Mt Hood Community College, Disaster Skills Training and Practical Exercise series. MRC members are strongly encouraged to attend as well as CERT to attend (this training would qualify as a CERT Practical), Sunday, June 19th (Fathers Day) from 0800-1230

• A Moulage Class (realistic injury creation) - Same day as the Mt Hood Community College Disaster Training listed above - Sunday, June 19th (Fathers Day) from 0800-1230 (students will have to choose one or the other).

Registration is open to anyone. Please see the flyers below for specifics on each class.

High River Levels--Use Caution Around Water

The National Weather Service (NWS) has informed us that the Columbia River will continue to run high for the rest of the week into the weekend, and will likely reach flood stage. However, there is no cause for worry at this time.

The upcoming Memorial Day weekend means outdoor recreation for many people. However, with high, swift river conditions, it's important to use extra caution around water. The water level will be higher up on banks and and move faster, carrying debris. If you plan on being near the Columbia this week or weekend, be aware of what the river is doing and watch your footing around the water.

Columbia County Emergency Management is working with the NWS to closely monitor the river levels and we will issue updates as necessary.

You can stay informed of river conditions via the NWS Northwest River Forecast Center website.

Zombie Apocalypse

Yes, that's right. Now even the CDC is encouraging folks to get ready for when the brain-eaters attack. Check out the CDC's page for how you can prepare for the Zombie Apocalypse and other, not so far-fetched, disasters. Click on the picture below to go there.

31st Anniversary of Mt. St. Helens Eruption

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.