According to the Journal of Clinical Psychology, Americans who make New Year’s resolutions are eleven times more likely to report continued success in changing a problem than individuals who have not made a resolution. This New Year’s Eve, the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management wants to encourage citizens to make being prepared for an emergency their resolution. Below are a few simple steps to get the ball rolling.
1. Create a family emergency planYour family may not be together when an emergency happens, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. You can download a family emergency plan template at www.ready.gov/america/makeaplan/index.html
2. Put together an emergency supply kitYou may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer. To find a complete checklist of the supplies your household may need in the event of an emergency, visit www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html
3. Be informed about the different types of emergencies that can happen in your area and the appropriate responses.Learn about the hazards that may strike your community, the risks you face from these hazards and your community’s plans for warning and evacuation. Get informed and be in the know at our blog: http://www.cowlitzcountydem.blogspot.com/ (well, look at that, you're already here!) and be our fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cowlitzcountydem. You can learn all about emergency preparedness on our website at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/DEM. How about getting an emergency text on your cell phone? Just text “Follow CowlitzDEM” to the number 40404. If you have questions, please call us at 577-3130 or email DEM@co.cowlitz.wa.us.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Weather Update
Email Weather Briefing *Edited for brevity*
Courtesy: NOAA/NWS, Portland, OR
Thursday, December 19, 2013
•Friday morning: Areas Coast Range eastward, with the
greatest risk being in Clark County, the Willapa Hills, the Cowlitz River
Valley, and the Columbia River Gorge. The risk of a significant event
decreases south of Portland, with only a very slight chance of a significant
event near Eugene.
•Friday morning: Snow and ice may impact the Friday
morning commute, even within the main metro areas. Worst case scenario
for the metro areas has about 2 inches of snow and/or a tenth of an inch of
ice. Greater snow and ice accumulations are possible but not likely in
the Gorge.
•Friday morning: Greatest risk prior to 8am, though
there is some uncertainty. Much warmer air should cause a rapid thaw for
most areas around mid-morning, with the Gorge being last to thaw around midday
or early Friday afternoon.
•Friday morning: Low. Timing will be everything,
as precipitation will need to start before temperatures rise above freezing for
snow and ice issues to occur. Details will become clearer as today
progresses.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
National Weather Service Update
Patchy freezing drizzle will continue into the early afternoon in the North Oregon Coast Range and along the Lower Columbia and I-5 Corridor in Cowlitz County. Scattered snow showers can also be expected into early afternoon. Any ice or snow accumulations are expected to be patchy.
With temperatures remaining below freezing in many areas, be wary of icy or snow covered surfaces. Be extra careful when traveling today.
Missing Castle Rock Man
Kelso, WA - Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputies are looking
for a man who left his daughter's Castle Rock home last evening and has not
been heard from since.
The man is Richard Sturm of Longview. Mr. Sturm left his daughter's home in Castle Rock early Sunday evening, stating that he was headed home to his residence in Longview. When his daughter did not hear from him, she went to his residence and found that he had not been there. Mr. Sturns' current whereabouts are unknown.
Mr. Sturm, who also goes by "Dick", is 67 years of age, 6', 200#. He was last seen wearing a Green and Black coat, a C
The vehicle he should be driving is a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado with a spare tire and stainless steel box in the bed of the truck.
Mr. Sturm likes to hunt and may possibly have gone into the the area off of the 2000 line between Delameter, Stella, Germany Creek, or may be in the Ryderwood area.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr. Sturm is asked to call Deputy Brent Harris at the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office at 360-577-3092, or Crimestoppers at 360-577-1206.
The man is Richard Sturm of Longview. Mr. Sturm left his daughter's home in Castle Rock early Sunday evening, stating that he was headed home to his residence in Longview. When his daughter did not hear from him, she went to his residence and found that he had not been there. Mr. Sturns' current whereabouts are unknown.
Mr. Sturm, who also goes by "Dick", is 67 years of age, 6', 200#. He was last seen wearing a Green and Black coat, a C
The vehicle he should be driving is a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado with a spare tire and stainless steel box in the bed of the truck.
Mr. Sturm likes to hunt and may possibly have gone into the the area off of the 2000 line between Delameter, Stella, Germany Creek, or may be in the Ryderwood area.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr. Sturm is asked to call Deputy Brent Harris at the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office at 360-577-3092, or Crimestoppers at 360-577-1206.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Snow and Freezing Rain on the Way
Per National Weather Service:
The Winter Weather Advisory for snow and freezing drizzle is now in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to 1 pm Tuesday for the Lower Columbia area and the I-5 corridor in Washington.
Timing -- light snow later this morning becoming more steady in the afternoon. Overnight snow turns to or may be mixed with freezing drizzle and persists through Tuesday morning before su...rface temperatures warm.
Accumulation -- generally 1 to 2 inches of snow accumulation, with ice accumulation of a few hundredths of an inch. If snow turns to freezing drizzle less snow will be expected and higher ice accumulation would then occur.
Impacts -- roads will likely become snow covered or icy...especially overnight into Tuesday morning.
The Winter Weather Advisory for snow and freezing drizzle is now in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to 1 pm Tuesday for the Lower Columbia area and the I-5 corridor in Washington.
Timing -- light snow later this morning becoming more steady in the afternoon. Overnight snow turns to or may be mixed with freezing drizzle and persists through Tuesday morning before su...rface temperatures warm.
Accumulation -- generally 1 to 2 inches of snow accumulation, with ice accumulation of a few hundredths of an inch. If snow turns to freezing drizzle less snow will be expected and higher ice accumulation would then occur.
Impacts -- roads will likely become snow covered or icy...especially overnight into Tuesday morning.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Updated Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
941 AM PST FRI DEC 6 2013
.A COLD LOW WILL CONTINUE TO DROP SOUTH ALONG THE OREGON COAST TODAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL BE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE AREA BY LATE TONIGHT. A COLDER AIR MASS SETTLES OVER SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON OVERNIGHT AND WILL PERSIST THROUGH THE WEEKEND. STRONG OFFSHORE LOW-LEVEL FLOW TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY WILL CREATE
AREAS OF DANGEROUS WIND CHILL CONDITIONS IN THE OREGON AND SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES.
CORRECTED TIMING OF I-5 CORRIDOR AND LOWER COLUMBIA
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. HELENS...LONGVIEW...KELSO
941 AM PST FRI DEC 6 2013
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR THE LOWER COLUMBIA AND THE I-5 CORRIDOR...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON.
* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON. MAIN SNOW PERIOD WILL PERSIST THROUGH NOON.
* SNOW LEVELS...NEAR THE SURFACE.
* ACCUMULATIONS...GENERALLY LESS THAN 1 INCH AT LOWER
ELEVATIONS WITH 2 TO 4 INCHES ABOVE 200 FT.
* IMPACTS...ROADS...INCLUDING MAJOR THOROUGH FARES WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND ICY.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
941 AM PST FRI DEC 6 2013
.A COLD LOW WILL CONTINUE TO DROP SOUTH ALONG THE OREGON COAST TODAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL BE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE AREA BY LATE TONIGHT. A COLDER AIR MASS SETTLES OVER SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON OVERNIGHT AND WILL PERSIST THROUGH THE WEEKEND. STRONG OFFSHORE LOW-LEVEL FLOW TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY WILL CREATE
AREAS OF DANGEROUS WIND CHILL CONDITIONS IN THE OREGON AND SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES.
CORRECTED TIMING OF I-5 CORRIDOR AND LOWER COLUMBIA
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. HELENS...LONGVIEW...KELSO
941 AM PST FRI DEC 6 2013
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS
AFTERNOON FOR THE LOWER COLUMBIA AND THE I-5 CORRIDOR...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PORTLAND HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON.
* TIMING...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON. MAIN SNOW PERIOD WILL PERSIST THROUGH NOON.
* SNOW LEVELS...NEAR THE SURFACE.
* ACCUMULATIONS...GENERALLY LESS THAN 1 INCH AT LOWER
ELEVATIONS WITH 2 TO 4 INCHES ABOVE 200 FT.
* IMPACTS...ROADS...INCLUDING MAJOR THOROUGH FARES WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND ICY.
Small Earthquakes reported under Hood Canal
Several small quakes have been recorded under the Hood Canal near Seabeck.
Dispatchers with the Kitsap and Jefferson County sheriff's offices say they have received no reports the quakes were even felt.
The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network recorded a 3.4 magnitude quake at 11:55 p.m. Thursday about 10 miles west of Poulsbo. It was followed by a 1.3 magnitude quake at 12:33 a.m. Friday in the same area. And there was a 2.8 magnitude quake in the same general location at 4:57 a.m. Friday. The quakes were at a depth of 11 miles.
What a mess!
Traffic is a mess in pretty much every direction this morning. Crews are still cleaning up after a pile-up between exit 52 and 56 north of Castle Rock and traffic is extremely slow in both directions. Also Glenwood Drive in Longview is closed. Many roads around the county are still extremely icy, so take caution if you must drive.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Warming Shelter Needs
An emergency “warming” shelter in Kelso has plenty pillows and
blankets after a request went out Wednesday, but it still needs donations of
easy-to-prepare, microwavable and ready-to-eat foods, toiletries, paper plates,
cups and towels.
The shelter is located at 300 N. Fourth Ave in Kelso, WA.
It is open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. when temperatures are expected
to drop below 30 degrees.
Christmas Countdown
Stumped for stocking stuffers? Perplexed for presents? Glassy-eyed for gifts? Flummoxed on favors? Amazed by alliteration? Give the gift of preparedness! Here are a few of my favorite sites to get some great gifts:
http://www.simple-safety.com/ (a great local company out of Vancouver, WA)
http://www.preparesmart.com/ (another local company out of Kirkland, WA)
You can also get some very useful safety supplies here in town at Bob's at 1111 Hudson in Longview. If you really want to support the local economy, check out the camping supply section there. Pick up a handy flashlight or some freeze-dried food. How about a roadside safety kit for your mom?
Any dummy can give a Starbucks giftcard, but a really awesome person gives the gift of preparedness! (However, if you DID want to leave a Starbucks giftcard on my desk, I wouldn't mind).
http://www.simple-safety.com/ (a great local company out of Vancouver, WA)
http://www.preparesmart.com/ (another local company out of Kirkland, WA)
You can also get some very useful safety supplies here in town at Bob's at 1111 Hudson in Longview. If you really want to support the local economy, check out the camping supply section there. Pick up a handy flashlight or some freeze-dried food. How about a roadside safety kit for your mom?
Any dummy can give a Starbucks giftcard, but a really awesome person gives the gift of preparedness! (However, if you DID want to leave a Starbucks giftcard on my desk, I wouldn't mind).
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