Thunderstorms, Lightning & Wildfire Danger

This afternoon the National Weather Service (NWS) held a weather briefing for emergency managers. Their forecast calls for possible thunderstorms and lightning in western Oregon and southwest Washington over the next several days. Fire danger in our area will be high over this weekend and then climb to extremely high during next week. Thunderstorms could bring lightning as well as hail, rain and winds. Lightning could cause wildfires.

Since we are going through a dry spell with warm to hot temperatures the potential for wildfire is high. Additionally, thunderstorms are not a normal event in our area and people may not be prepared. Please refer to the links below for preparedness information on wildfire and thunderstorms.

Wildfire Safety & Preparedness

Thunderstorm Safety & Preparedness

Rip Currents

Rip currents are strong narrow channels of water flowing away from the shore at surf beaches and rivers. These currents often are characterized by a difference in water color or debris that is moving seaward.
When going to the beach or river, be aware of the local conditions and pay attention to posted warning and signs.

If caught in a rip current:
* Stay calm
* Don't fight against the current
* If you can't escape, float or tread water
* Call or wave for help

Remember - if in doubt - don't go out.

from Washington State Emergency Management Division

http://www.emd.wa.gov/

It's Still Hot, Heat Warning Remains

From National Weather Service
230 PM PDT WED JUL 29 2009
..EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THURSDAY FOR INTERIOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON...
AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THURSDAY.
WITH A STUBBORNLY STRONG UPPER LEVEL RIDGE FIRMLY IN PLACE OVER THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST...HIGH TEMPERATURES THIS AFTERNOON ARE EXPECTED TO REACH OR ECLIPSE TUESDAYS RECORD BREAKING MAXIMUMS.
TEMPERATURES IN THE 105 TO 110 DEGREE RANGE ARE EXPECTED FOR LOWLAND AREAS. THE COAST RANGE AND CASCADES WILL ALSO BE HOT...WITH TEMPERATURES REACHING 95 TO 105 DEGREES TODAY. THE WEATHER WILL BE LESS HOT ON THURSDAY...HOWEVER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES WILL STILL BE NEAR 100 DEGREES.
IN ADDITION TO THE HOT AFTERNOONS...LITTLE RELIEF FROM THE HEAT IS EXPECTED OVERNIGHT TONIGHT. WITH LITTLE TO NO COOLING INFLUENCE FROM THE OCEAN...AND A SOMEWHAT HUMID AIR MASS IN PLACE...NIGHTS WILL REMAIN QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE AWAY FROM THE COAST. THIS WILL ESPECIALLY BE THE CASE IN URBAN AREAS SUCH AS PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER. THIS LACK OF OVERNIGHT RELIEF MAY MAKE THIS HEATWAVE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IN THE CITIES...ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS TO AIR CONDITIONING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE LIKELY. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...
AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

Kalama Water Restrictions

TO ALL KALAMA RESIDENTS

PLEASE SUSPEND ALL YARD WATERING, CAR WASHING AND OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL WATER USAGE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Due to the prolonged dry, hot weather, Kalama water usage is exceeding the ability to keep the two million gallon reservoir filled. Normally the City keeps the reservoir level at thirty to thirty-four (30-34) feet.

Today the reservoir level is at twenty-five (25) feet and dropping, even though it is pumping at capacity 24 hours a day.

The weather forecast is for continued hot temperatures.

WE ALSO REQUEST THAT YOU REDUCE NON-ESSENTIAL LAUNDRY AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD WATER USAGE.

Kalama Public Works can be reached at 360-673-4554 or 360-673-3706 for questions. Thank you for your cooperation to avoid a complete water outage.

Kids' Day Parade Cancelled

The Kids' Day Parade preceding the Cowlitz County Fair has been cancelled due to excessive heat. We urge fair-goers to please stay out of the direct sun, drink lots of water and take frequent breaks. Make sure you and your family wear plenty of high SPF sunblock, sunburns are no fun. It's going to be even hotter today than yesterday!

Just for Fun

Melting in this oppressive heat is not fun, nor is it funny. By this point in the day you are probably dishelved, cranky and most likely damp. If you need a smile, here are two links to visit. Disclaimer: the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management does not condone cooking in your car or on the sidewalk, but we do condone fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.

Have you ever wondered how to bake cookies on the dash of your car? Of course you have! (What? Just me?) Click here

Can you fry an egg on the sidewalk? I dunno...click here to find out

If you have nothing better to do, try it and let us know. And also, perhaps question why you have so much time on your hands. Just sayin'.....

Excessive Heat Warning Remains in Effect

From National Weather Service
243 PM PDT TUE JUL 28 2009

..EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THURSDAY FOR INTERIOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON ...
THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THURSDAY.
HIGH TEMPERATURES YESTERDAY AFTERNOON WERE IN THE 100 TO 105 DEGREE RANGE FOR INTERIOR LOCATIONS. THIS AFTERNOON VALLEY TEMPERATURES ARE ALREADY IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS AT 2 PM...WITH 90 DEGREES AT ASTORIA ON THE NORTHERN OREGON COAST. TODAY AND WEDNESDAY HIGH TEMPERATURES INLAND ARE EXPECTED TO BE AROUND 105 DEGREES. EVEN THE COAST RANGE AND CASCADES WILL BE HOT...WITH TEMPERATURES CLIMBING WELL INTO THE 90S DURING THIS HEAT WAVE.
TEMPERATURES WILL BE A LITTLE COOLER THURSDAY...HOWEVER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES WILL STILL BE NEAR 100 DEGREES.
IN ADDITION TO THE HOT AFTERNOONS...LITTLE RELIEF FROM THE HEAT IS EXPECTED OVERNIGHT. WITH LITTLE TO NO COOLING INFLUENCE FROM THE OCEAN...AND A SOMEWHAT HUMID AIR MASS IN PLACE...NIGHTS WILL REMAIN QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE AWAY FROM THE COAST. THIS WILL ESPECIALLY BE THE CASE IN URBAN AREAS SUCH AS PORTLAND AND VANCOUVER. PORTLAND TIED THE ALL-TIME RECORD HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 74 DEGREES MONDAY NIGHT. OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT WILL BE SIMILARLY WARM. THIS LACK OF OVERNIGHT RELIEF MAY MAKE THIS HEATWAVE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IN THE CITIES...ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITHOUT ACCESS TO AIR CONDITIONING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE LIKELY. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.