The only difference between adventure and disaster is preparedness.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

South Kelso Evacuation Lifted

At 9:30 a.m., officials have evaluated levies in Kelso and has prompted them to lift the Level 3 evacuation notification for the South Kelso area. The Grade Street bridge over the Coweeman River will remain closed at this time while officials further assess it for structural damage that may have occurred due to the swollen river.

City and County Officials would like to thank those residents and businesses that complied with the evacuation notification. “January Rain Storm 2009” Incident Commander Dave LaFave and his staff wish to re-assure those impacted that the decision to evacuate was made with the safety of all in mind, and was not taken lightly. “Decisions like these are some of the most difficult that we make as a group. Intelligence reports from the field, projected storm reports from the National Weather Service, and risk/benefit analysis led us to make this difficult decision. With new information from crews in the field last night and with what we have observed with the breaking of daylight, and current weather projections, we feel it is safe to lift the evacuation (for South Kelso) at this time”.

The status of Woodland, Green Acres and Toutle area evacuations have not changed at this time and are being continually re-evaluated by officials.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Grade Street bridge over the Coweeman River? Isn't that bridge over I-5, and the Kelso Drive Bridge is over the Coweeman? Which one is closed?

Anonymous said...

Grade street bridge, the one by Cowlitz Bank, DQ etc is closed

Anonymous said...

Oops. Ignore that question. Need coffee. I confused overpass and bridge.

Anonymous said...

My husband works on Talley Way in Kelso and we had NO idea that they were evacuating that part. Not until a customer of his called the "HIGHER UP" at his work and informed them that they were moving to higher ground. He drove out there last night at 10:30 to check on things but was to dark to tell. I think that if there is gonna be some kind of evacuation there should be some way to notify the business there. Howabout asking the security company that patrols there to call. We had no way of knowing if we should of been there last night or even this morning. There was no road blocks so we took that as a good sign but what about next time???

Anonymous said...

you crying to the sheriffs blog . thats funny . boo hoo i wasnt blocked boo hoo i didnt know