Windy Weekend

The National Weather Service predicts strong east to northeast winds to develop Saturday night and continue into Monday across SW Washington and NW Oregon.  The winds will increase late Saturday and reach their peak late Saturday night then decrease Monday afternoon. 

Gusts could reach up to 40 mph in the Portland and Vancouver area and farther north into Cowlitz County at times.

 

QuakeSmart for Business

From www.ready.gov

“With earthquakes, it’s not a matter of if; it’s a matter of when.” This video message from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) illustrates the unpredictability of earthquakes and the impact tremors can have on businesses. Therefore, it is important for business owners to take steps to the ensure safety of their employees and customers.

FEMA and FLASH created the QuakeSmart Community Resilience Program to walk business owners through a step-by-step process to:

·        Identify their risk by completing the “Back to Business” self-assessment;

·        Develop a plan to reduce potential injury and property damage (mitigation); and

·        Take action using the QuakeSmart Business Toolkit.

In addition, the program allows employers to apply for recognition as a member of the QuakeSmart Community. Benefits of participating in the program include:

·        A QuakeSmart Resilient Community Member window cling to announce to customers and employees that you’ve taken steps to secure your business;

·        A QuakeSmart Resilient Community Member web badge to display on your company website; and

·        A sample news release to announce your participation in the QuakeSmart Community Resilience Program.

The Small Business Association estimates that 75 percent of organizations without a continuity plan will fail within three years of a disaster. Get prepared by joining the QuakeSmart Community Resilience Program today! Employers can also find valuable information in the America’s PrepareAthon! Prepare Your Organization for an Earthquake Playbook, which provides businesses with tools and resources to support preparedness discussions, tabletop exercises, and more.   

Lots of Rain on the Way

From National Weather Service:

The next storm system arrives Monday as strong low pressure off the California coast moves toward Western Oregon, bringing gusty winds and moderate to heavy rain through Monday. The latest forecast guidance indicates winds will not be quite as strong as the Saturday morning storm. Expect gusts to 55 mph for the Coast and exposed locations in the Coast Range, with gusts to 40 mph in the Willamette Valley. Rainfall will continue through Monday night, with showers and snow levels down to 4000 feet Tuesday. Periods of heavy rainfall Sunday night through Monday evening will cause river rises, especially for the central Oregon Coastal rivers and the central and south Willamette Valley; however, no flooding is currently forecast.



  


 

Rain and wind on the way

National Weather Service says there is rain and wind in store from tonight until this weekend.  While there will be periodic heavy rains, it won't be enough to cause flooding concerns. 

Emergency Repairs on SR 4

Per WA State Dept of Transportation (WSDOT): There will be emergency repairs on the bridge just west of Stella on State Route 4. This will cause a disruption in traffic, possibly up to 30 minute delays.

The Two Minute Rule

From FEMA.gov

Imagine being sound asleep in the middle of the night when suddenly your smoke alarms start blaring. Your house is filling with smoke. Do you know what to do? According to the American Red Cross (ARC), fire experts agree that people have about two minutes to escape a burning home.

With this in mind, ARC created the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign to reduce the number of fire related deaths and injuries by up to 25 percent over the next five years. You can be a part of this movement by having a fire escape plan that includes the following:

·        Make sure all members of the household know how to get out of every room in the house;

·        Pick a place outside where everyone can meet and be sure everyone knows where it is;

·        Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside;

·        Practice your home fire drill until everyone in the house can do it in less than two minutes; and

·        Make sure everyone knows how to call '911'.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) says people are at greater risk for home fires during the winter months. Now that the season is here, use ARC’s printable worksheet and begin planning; then check out this video from the USFA to learn how to conduct a fire drill with your family today!

Flood Watch Issued for Cowlitz County

The Portland National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Cowlitz County and the I-5 Corridor beginning this evening at 8:00 p.m. through Monday afternoon. Precipitation totals are anticipated to be 1.5-2.5 inches in our area. Given the current rainfall forecasts in this area, flooding of low lying areas is possible, as well as flooding of smaller creeks and poorly draining urban areas. A FLOOD WATCH means there is potential for flooding based on current forecasts.  

For more information, check out the updated forecasts from the National Weather Service.