Press Release #13

PRESS RELEASE
Date: January 9, 2009 January Rainstorm 2009 #13
Time: 2:00 p.m. Released by: Cowlitz County DEM
Cowlitz County Joint Information Center
PIO 360-577-3173 or 360-577-3172

UPDATED INFORMATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ostrander Road is now open.

I-5 is now open to all traffic going northbound and southbound through the Chehalis/Centralia area.

Burlington Northern is anticipating opening their rail lines around 4:00 p.m.

City of Kelso officials informed us that Allen Street and Grade Street Bridge will be opened by 2:00 p.m.

Burcham Street slide residents are allowed to return home except the two homes initially affected by the slide. Other clean-ups are on-going at this time.

“Kelso staff is very grateful that we are getting a break from the weather. The city of Kelso especially wants to thank all of the sandbagging volunteers we had during the storm, and special thanks to McDonald’s and Dairy Queen in Kelso for providing food,” said David Sypher, City of Kelso Public Works Director.

Henry Karnofski, Director of Support Services for Castle Rock schools, has relayed that Castle Rock schools are not damaged and clean-up is very minimal. School officials are anticipating that all Castle Rock schools will resume as normal on Monday, January 12, 2009.

Longview Fire Chief Daryl McDaniel relayed that Glenwood Drive remains closed because of slides. Residents are asked to use alternate routes and their hope is to have the road open by Friday, January 16, 2009.

Currently, the only shelter that remains open is at New Life Fellowship Church at 2441 42nd Avenue in Longview. This shelter will remain open all night. Meals are also being served for people who are in need of food; you do not need to stay at the shelter to receive food.

Information regarding road closures and other emergency information can be found on:

www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/DEM/roads or www.CowlitzCountyDEM.blogspot.com

Next Press Release will be issued at 4:30 p.m.