Status Update

The Cowlitz County EOC is not activated at this point, but will be working extended hours this evening. The heavy rains still appear to be heading straight for SW Washington and will begin overnight. If you live in a flood prone area, it would be a good idea to make sure your home and family are ready. You can find flood safety tips on the DEM Website and the latest forecast for our area can be found on the National Weather Service website. Be sure to catch our esteemed director Grover Laseke discussing flooding potential and weather issues on Channel 8 news at either 5:00pm or 6:00pm this evening.

Water, water everywhere....

We just concluded a briefing with the National Weather Service and it looks like we are in for a LOT of rain in the coming days. Another storm is anticipated to begin Tuesday evening through Friday of this week that could produce flooding in Cowlitz County. According to the National Weather Service, this storm is expected to focus primarily on SW Washington. Rainfall will be significant: Up to 1 inch from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning and 2-5 inches from Wednesday and Thursday. This precipitation combined with snowmelt due to freezing levels at 7-9,000 feet has the potential for flooding. Key rivers of local concern include the Cowlitz River at Kelso and Castle Rock, as well as the Lewis River. The hydrologists at the National Weather Service feel that the Cowlitz River might reach its highest stage since the flood in 1996. Since the ground has gone from frozen to saturated, there is also high probability of landslides. At this time, the Cowlitz County Emergency Operations Center is not activated, but will continue to monitor the situation.

New Winter Weather Advisory

The National Weather Service has just issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Cowlitz County in effect from 10:00pm to noon on Saturday. Please see below:

AS SHOWERS SPREAD ONSHORE TONIGHT...THE SNOW LEVEL WILL LOWER BACK DOWN TO CLOSE TO THE VALLEY FLOOR LATER TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING. AROUND AN INCH OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE AT LOWER ELEVATIONS LATER TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING...WITH 1 TO 3 INCHES POSSIBLE ABOVE 500 TO 1000 FEET. THE SNOW LEVEL WILL RISE A BIT SATURDAY AFTERNOON AS SHOWERS DECREASE.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

I don't know about you, but we've had enough of this!

Flood Warning Cancelled

The hydrologists at the National Weather Service downgraded the Flood Warning to a Flood Watch for the Cowlitz River at Kelso at 7:00am. The forecast for the next two days is as follows:
Today: Snow showers. Temperature rising to near 38 by 11am, then falling to around 32 during the remainder of the day. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West southwest wind around 6 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Snow level 1000 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday: A chance of rain and snow, mainly after 10am. Snow level 1200 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. South southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday Night: Rain. Low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

New Years Stormy Weather Forecast

The National Weather Service (NWS) Portland is forecasting severe weather over the next 2-3 days (January 1-3). A chronological synopsis of events includes:

• A low pressure system will bring warm air into the area early Thursday morning. This low pressure system will bring strong winds and heavy rain. Temperatures could get into the 50's.
• A second low pressure system will bring a second round of strong winds and cold air to the area on Thursday night. This second system will bring 1-3 inches of snow above 500 feet with possible snow on the valley floor by Friday morning.
• It is possible we will receive 6-7 inches of rain in the coastal range and 1-3 inches of rain on the valley floor from these two systems.
• River and small stream flooding is to be expected especially at the coast. The Cowlitz River is expected to reach flood stage on Friday morning cresting at 23 ft.

Click on the following links to get the specific NWS information:

Flood Watch

High Wind Weather Statement

If you have any questions please contact me or visit the NWS website at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/.

Businesses Should Report Economic Losses

We have been fortunate that the recent snow storm has not caused a significant amount of reported damage throughout Cowlitz County; however, because of the timing of the storm, the economic losses could be relatively high. One of the types of disaster assistance programs that is offered by the Small Business Association involves economic injury or loss. In order for the State of Washington to qualify for this type of assistance program, we need businesses to substantiate their estimated economic losses during this storm. Please fill out the form on the right side tool bar and fax it to the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management at 360-577-3009 by 5:00 p.m. on January 15th, 2009. We will compile the data and provide it to Washington State. Completing this worksheet does not obligate you to apply for an SBA loan. It merely quantifies the economic impact to businesses by this weather event and allows the Governor to make a request for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for those businesses that need and want it. Following the submission of our local data to the State of Washington in February, we will provide updated information here on the blog and website should disaster assistance become available locally. We will also attempt direct contact with each of the submitting agencies regarding next steps if SBA assistance is granted.

Road Closure Notice

The Cowlitz County Dept. of Public Works will close Abernathy Road from Ocean Beach Hwy to McAdams to all traffic immediately due to weather related issues. A detour route is available by traveling from Ocean Beach Hwy to Bunker Hill to McAdams.