National Weather Service Update

Update from National Weather Service:
 ..Rain and Wind on Tap for Saturday.  The first big rain event of the season will produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds through Saturday night. Most of the steady, heavy rain is expected to occur Saturday. 

The most common issue is expected to be urban flooding as storm drains clogged with leaves may cause water to accumulate quickly on roadways.
Breezy winds will relax some Friday afternoon and overnight before picking up again Saturday.  Wind gusts on Saturday may pick up to 25-35 MPH on Saturday afternoon.

Tick, Tock!

Tick, Tock, Turn Back the Clock

Tick, tock! Sunday, November 1 marks the end of Daylight Saving Time. Use this opportunity to not only prepare your clocks to “fall back”, but also prepare your home for fire emergencies by changing the batteries in your smoke alarms.   According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), smoke alarms are essential to home fire safety and should be properly maintained. To promote fire safety in your home, remember to:   ·        Put smoke alarms on every floor of your home, including every bedroom and the hallway outside of each sleeping area; ·        Test smoke alarms monthly; ·        Change the smoke alarm battery at least once per year; ·        Replace smoke alarms that are more than ten years old; and ·        Develop a home fire escape plan so that everyone knows two ways out and knows a safe place to meet. Practice your plan twice per year.   To learn more about fire escape planning, check out this USFA public service announcement.

 

Flood Watch in Effect Through Saturday Evening

Latest from the National Weather Service:

Flood Watch in effect from Friday evening through Saturday evening for Cowlitz County. The first atmospheric river event of the season will produce heavy rain over SW WA today and Saturday. The first period of heavy rain is beginning now and is expected to die down this evening.
Another rain event is forecasted to move back in during the day on Saturday.
...

With this being the first major rain event of the season, river levels are starting off relatively low, however there is potential for flooding on smaller creeks and streams and poorly draining urban areas, as well as landslide potential.

Wet Weekend on the Way!

Wet weekend on the way--Rain and breezy conditions start on Friday and will last into Saturday night. A cold front is expected to approach on Saturday with the possibility of 1 to 1 1/2 inches of rain in the afternoon and evening.

You may want to consider dressing up as a commercial fisherman for Halloween. Warm and waterproof!

Countdown to ShakeOut!

 

The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill is just a week away! This is a great opportunity to practice what to do during an earthquake and get prepared. Even if tremors are rare where you live, it’s important to practice because they can happen anywhere unexpectedly.

More than 20 million people, schools, organizations, and businesses worldwide have already signed up to participate on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 10:15 AM local time. Visit the ShakeOut website for information about how universities, government agencies, and other organizations can participate. The website also shows how many people in each state or country will be practicing how to Drop, Cover and Hold On. This important protective action can save lives and prevent injury.

Example of How to Drop, Cover, and Hold On

During an earthquake, you should immediately DROP down onto your hands and knees so the earthquake doesn’t knock you down, COVER your head and neck with your arms to protect yourself from falling debris, and HOLD ON to any sturdy covering so you can move with it until the shaking stops.

If you are unable to Drop, Cover, and Hold On, please follow these recommended guidelines.

For more information about earthquake safety, check out this Great ShakeOut video series. Get ready for the world’s largest earthquake drill. You still have time to sign up, so register today!

Fire Prevention Week

October 4-10, 2015 is Fire Prevention Week! This year’s theme is: “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm!”

This message encourages you to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep.

Smoke alarms save lives! If there is a fire in your home, a working smoke alarm will give you a chance to quickly escape. Learn how to properly install and maintain smoke alarms in your home  by visiting the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) “Smoke Alarm Central.”

Fire safety is something everyone can practice. The NFPA has interactive games and activities to make Fire Prevention Week fun for the entire family. Test your fire safety knowledge with the NPFA Fire Quiz. Kids can also learn how to stay safe with puzzles and videos featuring “Sparky the Fire Dog.”

Download the Fire Prevention Week infographic to share important fire safety tips with family and friends.

This year, USFA is dedicating the month of October to providing fire safety tips using hashtag #firesafein31. USFA will share daily tips to help make homes and families safer. Follow #firesafein31 on Twitter at @usfire and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfire.