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.

More snow on the horizon....

Here’s the latest from the National Weather Service:

A low pressure system is coming in from the Pacific and bringing with it warmer temperatures, eventually.
Wednesday AM: Snow showers on the valley floor of 1-2” and 3-4” above 500 feet.
Wednesday PM: Brief rain, then back to snow for Wednesday evening, another 1-2” possible on the valley floor and 4-8” above 500 feet. Highs in the low 30’s. Lows in the upper 20’s.
Thursday: Possible snow showers about 500 feet. Highs in the 30’s. Low of 25.
Friday: Temperatures will begin to rise, rain possible. Highs in the 40’s.
Saturday: New, mild pattern is emerging bringing temperatures in the 40’s and rain.

There is no concern at this time for river flooding, only for urban flooding due to snow melt.

How NOT to get rid of snow

Man melting snow with blowtorch ignites home
He wanted to clear back porch, instead he's got $30,000 in damage

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Fire officials in New Bedford, Mass., say a man using a blowtorch to melt ice on his back porch ended up setting his house on fire, causing up to $30,000 in damage.
Fire Capt. Scott Kruger tells The Standard-Times of New Bedford that no on was injured during Monday's incident at the three-story home.
Kruger says the man was using a torch hooked up to a 20-pound propane cylinder. He got too close to the building's wood frame and ignited the vinyl siding. The fire quickly spread into the building's second- and third-floor apartments.
It took 25 firefighters to subdue the blaze that damaged bedrooms in the upstairs units, and caused damage to the structure and wiring.
The homeowner will not be charged.

(generalized stupidity is not yet a criminal offense, sadly)

Season's Greetings from DEM

Weather-wise, it should be a relatively quiet day. Tomorrow, however, looks a little more hectic. We will have a weather briefing at 2:00pm today and will share the findings this afternoon.

Dashing Through the Snow...or Ice...

This forecast is from the National Weather Service at 3:50pm:

A WINTER STORM WATCH is in effect for snow and freezing rain for WEDNESDAY MORNING through WEDNESDAY EVENING. Another low pressure system is expected to drop southeast into the Pacific Northwest Wednesday and Wednesday night. A relatively cold air mass will be in place ahead of this system bringing the chance for low elevation snow and freezing rain. At this time there is considerable uncertainty as to how cold the air will be ahead of the storm in the lower valleys. It appears the precipitation would start out as snow Wednesday and change to freezing rain by Wednesday evening. Although it is not certain, there is a potential for significant accumulations of snow or freezing rain Wednesday afternoon and evening. If the track of the storm is just a little further north than expected it is also possible that the precipitation could quickly change over to rain Wednesday.

Latest Forecast

Monday afternoon: Snow showers, high of 33 and cloudy. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1-2" possible.

Monday night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Calm wind. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 34. South wind around 6 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 27. Southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Again, please do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary!!

O (NO!) Christmas Tree

The U.S. Fire Administration posted a video on their blog which illustrates the startling difference between watered and dry Christmas trees when it comes to fire. The video can be found at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm.

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland

So, if you haven't noticied, it's snowing! Join us on our recent photographic journey, won't you? The latest forecast indicates that we may be looking at freezing rain later this afternoon, with a return to snow flurries in the evening. Freezing rain is treacherous business, we advise you to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary!

The Fire is So Delightful....

Ahhh, fires CAN be so delightful. Just make sure to abide by these fire safety rules:

*If you use fireplaces or wood burning stoves, burn only well-seasoned wood. Don’t burn trash, newspapers, cardboard boxes, building lumber, engineered woods, pressed boards, wrapping paper, plywood, Christmas trees or similar items; they burn unevenly, may contain toxins and increase the risk of uncontrolled fires.
*Keep young children away from working wood stoves and fireplaces to avoid burn injuries. *Never leave a fireplace unattended, especially while you are sleeping.
*Make sure wood stoves are properly vented.
*Have a fire extinguisher readily available and know how to properly use it. If the fire is bigger than you are, however, it’s probably too big to put out with an extinguisher.
*Never use an oven or range — gas or electric — to heat your home. The flame can overheat and ignite nearby materials.
*Turn off space heaters before leaving a room or going to sleep. Supervise children and pets at all times when a portable space heater is on.
*Keep all flammable objects at least 3 feet from space heaters.
*Stock up on batteries, flashlights, portable radios, canned foods, manual can openers, bottled water and blankets.
*Use flashlights for emergency lighting rather than candles.
*Residents who lose power at home or who need extra heat should never use charcoal barbecues, propane heaters, unvented gas heaters or gasoline-powered machinery such as generators, indoors or in garages or carports. It is also not safe to use these devices too close to windows or air intakes. Doing so may release carbon monoxide, an odorless, invisible gas that can kill a person within minutes.
For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning and prevention, go to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

Cowlitz County DEM and a few agencies listened in on the National Weather Service briefing this morning. In summary:

* A fairly complicated weather pattern will begin overnight
* Cowlitz County and Southwest Washington will get much more activity than occurred last weekend
* Snow is expected to start falling in the valley around 4 a.m.
* Valley can expect 2-6" throughout the day on Wednesday
* During the afternoon Wednesday, it is possible for pockets of freezing rain to occur
* The arctic cold air mass will take over by Wednesday evening and precipitation should be mainly snow again
* Temperatures will decline once again on Thursday and precipitation (snow) will diminish
* The temperatures on Wednesday will be in the 30’s; temps Thurs-Sat will be highs of 20’s, lows in the teens
For the weekend:
* Another system in store for late Saturday/early Sunday
* This appears to be mainly a snow event
* The timing and type of precipitation (freezing rain, snow, sleet) is too preliminary to predict with accuracy at this time

It's a good time to stay indoors and off the roads. Please monitor the weather conditions closely over the next couple of days because the dynamics of this particular storm can change very rapidly. Be prepared for snow and/or freezing rain Wednesday/Thursday and bitterly cold temperatures Thursday through Saturday.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

We just concluded a rather ominous conference with the National Weather Service. It looks like snow and bitterly cold temperatures are coming our way. The latest forecast is below:

Friday Afternoon: Rain. High near 42. Windy, with a southwest wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.Tonight: Rain showers before 10pm, then rain and snow showers. Snow level 600 feet. Low around 34. Breezy, with a west northwest wind between 18 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday: Rain showers. Snow level 900 feet. High near 40. West wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.Saturday Night: Rain and snow showers, becoming all snow after 10pm. Low around 33. Southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.Sunday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 33. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 25. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13.

The Weather Outside is Frightful....

---from Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency---

We received a Special Weather Statement from the National Weather Service this morning which outlines the anticipated cold weather coming to the Pacific Northwest this weekend. It appears that we will be experiencing some very cold temperatures and perhaps even see some snow. Regardless of whether the weather predictions come fully true for this weekend, this is a good reminder to begin preparing your homes so that you are ready for a true cold snap.

Preparedness activities should include:

*Wrapping your pipes and covering your foundation vents.

*Protecting your vulnerable plants through covering or bringing them indoors.

*Paying attention to your pets that spend time outside.

*Ensuring that your car is ready with chains and a 72-hour kit should you find yourself stranded or stuck.
*Dressing warmly for the weather (even if you're heading out for a short trip).

In our often mild climate, don't get caught unprepared for the next good winter storm. And remember to consider "who depends on you" as you prepare. With animals, small children or others who need additional assistance, remember they rely on you to be ready!

It's That Time Again

No...not time for Santa to come down the chimney. It's time for the annual Emergency Community Notification System test. On December 17th at 9:15 a.m., some residents in the Mint Valley area of Longview will receive a test phone call from the Emergency Community Notification System (ECNS). ECNS is an automated call that originates from our office with a pre-recorded message to a specified geographic area. This technology could be used in the event of hazardous materials releases, volcanic activity, nearby criminal activity or any event that poses an imminent danger to the health or safety of local citizens. Residents are asked to allow the 35-second message to play through completely. The public's cooperation is requested so that the system can be tested and adjusted properly to reach optimal performance.

So, to reiterate, if you receive an automated call regarding the testing of the ECNS, please do not panic, it is only a test. To make the experience more enjoyable for the populace that will be receiving our call, the voice will be the dulcet tones of our very own director, Grover Laseke, not a robot voice. We aim to please here at the Department of Emergency Management. As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the test, please contact us at 577-3130 or at DEM@co.cowlitz.wa.us.

Deck the Halls...Safely!

Have a safe and happy holiday season by following these safety tips:

TREES
· When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
· When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green; needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles (watch "A Christmas Story" for a visual demonstration).
· When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.




LIGHTS
· Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards.
· Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.
· Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord (for a lesson on what not to do, I recommend viewing "Christmas Vacation" starring Chevy Chase).
· Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted. Or just return your metallic tree to 1961 where it belongs.
· Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples, not nails or tacks, to hold strings in place. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
· Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
· For added electric-shock protection, plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician (not your cousin-in-law Darryl).
DECORATIONS
· Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
· Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
· In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
· Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.


FIREPLACES
· Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from anyone who might find them tempting to ingest.
· Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
· Have your chimney inspected every year.
· Install a carbon monoxide detector as an extra precaution.


Most tips courtesy of US Consumer Products Safety Commission, others were embellished by staff.

How bad will the next flood be? That could be up to you!

--Excerpt from Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency blog--
“Floods are acts of God, but flood damages are acts of man”. This quote, courtesy of former King County Emergency Management Director Eric Holdeman, is only partly true, since removing water-absorbing surfaces from river basins and adding roads and buildings to floodplains can add to flood waters. But it’s absolutely true that the decisions that we make about where we live, work, and develop will be the determining factor in how our community is impacted by the next flood. We can choose not to develop in a flood-prone area. Yes, riverfront properties are the sites for many dream homes but what’s the long term price homeowners will pay? For folks who already live in a flood-prone area you can ensure that your living space is up at a safe elevation. You can also build structures that are made out of durable and water resistant materials so that they flood safely. The Washington State Department of Ecology wrote an excellent guide, Living With the River, which has more essential information that can help you make smart choices to reduce flood risks.Do you know what the flooding risk is where you live, work, and travel? If you live near a waterway (usually within a quarter of a mile) you might be at risk of flooding. You also need to determine how you’ll protect your home and your family from the next flood event. If you need them, where will you get sandbags? Home improvement stores and other local vendors often carry sandbags. During flood events, we’ll let you know where to pick up sandbags through this blog or through news releases. If your home could take on water in floods, you should also consider having sandbags that are ready to go. More information about responding to floods is available on this Washington State Emergency Management Division website.

Flood Safety Tips

Floods occur regularly in this region, causing evacuations and widespread damage. Here are a few tips you can use to lessen damage and stay safe:

*Consider purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.
*Stay tuned to radio or TV for updates. *Never walk through moving water more than 6 inches deep.
*Cars can easily be swept away in just 2 feet of moving water. (Remember, driving a truck doesn't make you invincible!!!)
For more flood safety information, visit our website at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/DEM.

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down....

The National Weather Service (NWS) - Portland has alerted us that over the next few days we can expect heavy rain and winds. Forecast is for 4 to 8+ inches of rain and winds to 40 mph on Tuesday and Wednesday in the valley . Heavy rain will start tonight and last through Thursday. Heaviest rain can be expected on Tuesday (2 to 4 inches) and Wednesday (1.5 to 4 inches).

The Cowlitz River is expected to go to 18.5 feet by Wednesday afternoon. Most SW Washington rivers are expected to crest by Wednesday night. In addition to the heavy rain there will be exceptionally high tides during the period which may impact coastal rivers. Freezing levels are expected to be above 10,000 feet during the rain period.

DEM will be monitoring the weather and distribute information as it becomes available. Because of the Veterans Day holiday you may wish to keep an eye on the weather and take appropriate actions to prepare.

More information can be obtained by going to the NWS website at: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/

Prepare your home and family for blustery days ahead

A news release from the Washington State Emergency Management Division

Camp Murray, Wash. – Forecasts for stormy weather in the coming days mean it is time for action to prepare for winds, rain and floods.

“Fall is our stormy time of year, and a few preparedness steps now can make a big difference in protecting your home and family,” said Jim Mullen, director, Washington Emergency Management Division, Washington Military Department.

Mullen said one huge preparedness step home- and business-owners can take is to clean out gutters and street drains which could clog with leaves and create urban flooding problems. “You’d be amazed,” he said, “how this simple step will keep traffic moving through your neighborhood and free up city crews to focus on other pressure points.”

Other preparedness tips:
· Listen to your radio or television for winter storm forecasts and other information.
· Check on your disaster preparedness kit to ensure it contains food, light sticks, water, flashlights, a battery-powered radio and a wind-up clock.
· Know how to safely use a generator so it will not create a dangerous indoor carbon monoxide buildup.
· Never burn charcoal or use a generator indoors or in carport.
· Stay away from downed power lines.
· Call 9-1-1 only for emergencies. Dial 2-1-1 for other information.

Preparing to drive in heavy rains:
· Equip your vehicle with all-season tires.
· Fill your gas tank before stormy weather hits.
· Dress to keep warm and dry if you become stranded and have to walk.
· Allow extra time to reach your destination.
· Take routes that avoid low-lying roads that may be underwater.
· Follow official emergency evacuation routes.
· Do not go around “Road Closed” barriers.
· Do not drive or walk through standing water.
· If you vehicle stalls in floodwater, get out quickly and move to higher ground.

Further preparedness information can be found at the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management website at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/dem.

Community Voicemail

Press Release from Lower Columbia Community Action Program:

A new voice mail service provided by Lower Columbia Community Action Program (CAP) will soon help social service, government, healthcare, churches and other organizations to keep in touch with their clients in need.

CAP is the local host organization for the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Community Voice Mail (CVM), the local affiliate of the Community Voice Mail Federation, headquartered in Seattle.

“For many people, Community Voice Mail serves as their only telephone connection to critical services such as housing, food, shelters and medical facilities,” said Mike Chapman, CVM Manager at CAP. “If someone is homeless, in transition or crisis, or perhaps needs confidentiality or protection due to domestic violence, CVM enables them to keep in contact with these services.”

CAP is currently promoting the service to local organizations for their clients.
“The key to ensuring that CVM is available to everyone who needs it is to have a large number of organizations that offer the service,” said Chapman.

CVM is simple to use for both an organization and their clients. CAP provides support, training and activity reports specific to the organization. Case workers at the organizations determine who qualifies for CVM. After a brief enrollment and training process, clients are provided with a unique telephone number that connects to their very own voice-mail system. They may provide their phone number to any organization, healthcare office, on their resume for employers, and even to family and friends.

Once a client’s CVM number is activated, case managers or others who have the phone number may call to leave important messages. Callers will not be able to tell the CVM system from any other telephone voice mail service. The client can call from any phone to receive their CVM messages. They may even respond to messages initiated by the organization that provides their CVM.

When the client no longer requires the voice mailbox, the organization can erase all messages in the mailbox and reassign it to another client.

Chapman says that CVM can provide a valuable service during times of disaster, emergency situations, or extreme weather conditions. “We have the ability to send a broadcast message to all CVM users. For example, when Hurricane Ike was bearing down on Houston, the local CVM manager sent a message to over 6,000 of the city’s homeless who were using the Community Voice Mail system, directing them to appropriate emergency shelters. A majority of them weren’t even aware of the impending hurricane.”

Nearly 50 organizations nationwide serve as CVM hosts to their regions, including sites in Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Chicago and New York. Collectively, they provided CVM service to over 60,000 people last year.

For more information about CVM, go to the CAP website (www.lowercolumbiacap.org), or contact Mike Chapman at 360-425-3430, Ext. 247, or mikec@lowercolumbiacap.org.

Are you ready for winter driving?

This month marks the start of all kinds of winter weather. Any day could bring strong winds, poor visibility, ice, and snow on the roadway. Here’s what drivers can do to prepare:

Plan extra time to cross all mountain passes, including heavily-traveled routes such as I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, US 2 Stevens Pass, and US 12 White Pass.

Carry chains - Washington law requires commercial vehicles and combinations of vehicles more than 10,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to carry sufficient tire chains between Nov. 1 and April 1. This includes some larger passenger trucks, SUVs, recreational vehicles and trucks hauling trailers. The WSP will have a special chain emphasis patrol in early November, to ensure commercial drivers have the proper number of chains required. WSP troopers will strictly enforce the Nov. 1 deadline. Failing to carry chains will cost heavy-truck drivers $155.

Know traction and chain requirements - Mountain pass traction and chain requirements are available on highway advisory signs and highway advisory radio. WSDOT advises drivers to program 530AM and 1610AM on your radio. When those advisories call for chains, drivers who don’t chain up will face a $500 penalty.

For more information on WSP chain requirements, WSDOT’s winter programs, a list of frequently asked questions, car emergency kits and ways to prepare your vehicle for winter, please visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter. At http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather, drivers can look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state. Plan extra time to cross all mountain passes, including heavily-traveled routes such as I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, US 2 Stevens Pass, and US 12 White Pass.

Disaster Denial

Just because you don’t want to think about it, doesn’t mean it won’t happen… According to Eric Holdeman, former director of Emergency Management for King County, there are four stages of Emergency Preparedness Denial. “One is, it won’t happen. Two is, if it does happen, it won’t happen to me. Three: if it does happen to me, it won’t be that bad. And four: if it happens to me and it’s bad, there’s nothing I can do to stop it anyway.” Sound familiar? Don’t despair, your head is not the only one buried in the proverbial sand.

In a September 2007 poll conducted by TIME magazine, it becomes readily apparent that the majority of the American population is grossly underprepared to deal with a disaster of any sort. Half of those surveyed indicated that they had personally experienced a natural disaster or public emergency. Only 16% however, felt that they were well prepared for the next one. Of the rest, over half justified their lack of preparedness by saying that they do not reside in a high risk area.

In fact, 91% of Americans live in places at a moderate-to-high risk of earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, high-wind damage or terrorism, according to an estimate by the Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute at the University of South Carolina. Society is skating a fine line between optimism and foolishness.

For a nation so distrustful of government, we still place a great deal of faith in its ability to rescue us—a faith hardly justified by the Katrina experience. As responsible citizens we can’t sit back and expect government agencies to provide for our needs, when we are capable of taking a few small steps to care for ourselves. A quote from Dr. Seuss comes to mind, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.”

So, what does it all mean? The short answer is preparedness. The resounding tenet of emergency management is to be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for 72-hours. The Department of Emergency Management website, www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/dem, is a great resource for tips and ideas about being better prepared. To quote Kathleen Tierney, head of the Natural Hazards Center, “We as human societies have yet to understand that nature doesn’t care. And for that reason, WE must care.”

What if 9-1-1 could call you?

It can! Cowlitz County has expanded its ability to provide emergency messages to the public. Using the Emergency Community Notification System (ECNS), local public safety officials can now call YOU directly with detailed instructions about what you should do during an emergency.

This technology allows our department to send an emergency message to land-line telephones in a specified geographic area using a recorded message. If no one answers at your home, the system is able to leave a message on your land-line telephone's voicemail.

Hazards that may result in the use of this system could include volcanic activity, chemical or biological hazards, nearby criminal activity or any event that poses an imminent danger to the health or safety of local citizens.

If you receive a call:

1.) DO NOT HANG UP. Some people mistake this warning call for a telemarketing call because it is automatically dialed and is a recorded message.

2.) LISTEN to the full alert and follow the instructions given.

3.) DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 unless you have an actual emergency at your location.

4.) STAY OFF THE PHONE during the emergency except to pass the message on to others who do not have a land-line telephone.

5.) TUNE INTO LOCAL RADIO OR TV to get more information, unless the order is to evacuate.

The Emergency Notification System does have limitations and may not reach everyone within its target audience.

The system cannot communicate with:

*Cell phones.

*Land-line telephone systems that require the caller to press a number, begin speaking or interact in any other way.

*TTY or TTD telephones for the deal or hard-of-hearing.

*Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service.

If you have any questions regarding the ECNS program, please feel free to call our office at (360) 577-3130.

Drop, Cover and Hold off on Triangle of Life

"Drop, Cover and Hold" is still the best method for earthquake safety in the United States and especially in our own quake-prone region. This recommendation comes from the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management, in concurrence with the American Red Cross, FEMA, and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Unfortunately, e-mails have been circulating on the Internet incorrectly touting the "Triangle of Life" technique which allegedly use voids as a way to survive earthquakes. Simply put, the technique is not applicable for earthquake experiences in the United States. "Drop, Cover and Hold is the appropriate response to Earthquakes in the United States. We simply don't build structures the same way here as in other parts of the world." said King County Office of Emergency Management Director Robin Friedman. The "Triangle of Life" is not appropriate for use in the United States because the research used to illustrate the method was based on earthquake response and recovery in Turkey, a country very different from the United States when it comes to building standards, construction and engineering techniques, and building codes. Earthquakes in the United States do not typically result in total building collapse or "pancake." As a result, when earthquakes strike in the U.S., the safest thing for children and adults to do is "Drop, Cover and Hold" underneath a desk, table, or other sturdy strong surface. Since there is little chance of a building collapse in the U.S., there's no need to use the "void" provided by an object like a couch. "The Emergency Management community has worked for decades researching earthquake response and recovery throughout the world and gathering best practices," said Bill Steele, University of Washington Seismology Lab Coordinator. "Patented or not, we know what works. In the urgency of disaster, people need to instinctively know what to do. And the right message is to Drop, Cover and Hold." Added Friedman: "It is unfortunate that misinformation can spread so quickly online. I hope that people will instead use their networks to share the proper ‘Drop, Cover and Hold' procedure with the same enthusiasm to get information to the people they care most about."
To learn more about earthquake safety and mitigation, please visit www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/DEM. For further information on flaws in the "Triangle of Life" theory, read this letter from the American Red Cross and an article from the Daily News.

A day to reflect...

Seven years have passed since the devastating attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Many of us can recall exactly what we were doing on that day and how we felt. Though time heals the wounds, we must remain vigilant about being prepared for whatever emergencies we may face, both natural and man-made. On this day of remembrance, take a moment not only to remember those that lost their lives in the attacks, but to assess your readiness to handle such an event in your life. Does your family have an emergency plan? Do your children know who to call if they can't reach you? Taking a small measure of preparatory action today can reassure you and your family that you can exert a measure of control even in the face of disastrous events.

What's a Weather Radio?

Weather Radios enable you to monitor weather-related forecasts,watches, and warnings 24-hours a day direct from the National Weather Service. Weather Radios can have a warning alarm feature, instantly alerting the listener to fast-breaking warning information specifically related to our region. The warning alarm operates in a muted mode and is activated by the local National Weather Service when a warning message is transmitted. Some models activate serial warning features for the impaired, and have a battery backup system in case of power outage.

The system is part of the Cowlitz County Emergency Alert "all-hazards" warning system (EAS), that is used not only for immediate flood and weather related events, but also hazards like volcanic activity, hazardous chemical accidents, AMBER child abduction alerts and secondary hazards from terrorism and earthquakes.

Under a 1975 White House policy statement, NOAA Weather Radio was designated the sole government operated radio system to provide hazard warning information direct to the American people. NOAA Weather Radio is the perfect complement to local broadcast weather news, as well as the Internet and other weather information sources. Weather radios are available at most radio electronic retailers and internet outlets. For additional information on NOAA Weather Radios please contact Cowlitz County Emergency Management at (360)577-3130 or visit www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/DEM.

National Preparedness Month

September is….

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Are you ready? September has been designated by the Homeland Security Department as National Preparedness Month. This is a nationwide coordinated effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. The Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management encourages you and your family to be prepared for disasters that may occur locally, nationally or globally. The following is a tip sheet to help families take the necessary steps to become more disaster resilient.

Get a Kit—Get a kit of emergency supplies that will allow you and your family to survive for at least 3 days following a major disaster. The kit should include basic items like water, food, battery-powered radio, flashlights and a first aid kit. For suggestions on making a kit, contact the Department of Emergency Management at (360) 577-3130 or go to www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/DEM.

Make a Plan—Plan in advance what you and your family will do in an emergency. Your plan should include a communications plan, a meeting point, and instructions on sheltering-in-place or evacuating. Go to http://www.ready.gov/ for more information and templates to get you started.

Be Informed—Learn more about the hazards that could affect your community and the appropriate responses to take. For more information on local hazards and emergency plans that have been established in the area, contact the Department of Emergency Management.

Get Involved—After preparing yourself and your family, take the next step: get training in first aid, CPR and emergency response. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for more information.

Terrorism Awareness Course

Without education, opinions about terrorism are based on prejudices, fears, and misconceptions. On September 8th from 6:30pm-8:30pm, Battalion Chief Kevin Taylor of the Longview Fire Department will instruct a class about learning the basics of the threat of terrorism. The presentation will be held at the Cowlitz County Training Center (gray building south of the Hall of Justice) 1942 First Avenue, Longview.

This Terrorism Awareness course will help you:
• Understand the threat of terrorism.
• Protect your community using common sense measures.
• Avoid mistakes stemming from misinformation.

If you are interested in attending this presentation, please RSVP to Jennifer Engkraf by phone or email at EngkrafJ@co.cowlitz.wa.us. Hope to see you there!

Psychological First Aid Class

Cowlitz County DEM sponsored a Psychological First Aid class for our volunteers on Thursday, August 21st. We were very fortunate to have Ms. Bernadette Dominguez, RN and Mental Health Planner from the Cities Readiness Initiative to instruct this course. The class taught volunteers the specific skills needed to assist friends, neighbors, coworkers, clients, family members and strangers immediately following any type of tragedy. Psychological first aid teaches workers to assist people in the immediate aftermath of disaster to reduce initial distress, and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning. It is for use by mental health specialists including first responders, primary and emergency health care providers, school crisis response teams, faith-based organizations, disaster relief organizations, Community Emergency Response Teams and Medical Reserve Corps in diverse settings. Due to the overwhelming interest in this course, we have added a second class that will be held on September 22nd at the PUD Conference Room at 961 12th Avenue in Longview from 6:30pm-8:30pm. If you are interested in attending this free class, please contact Jennifer Engkraf at 577-3130 or EngkrafJ@co.cowlitz.wa.us.