Yesterday was the 312th anniversary of the last great Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake that hit the Pacific NW. The earthquake has been estimated at around a 9.0 after extensive research. Why is this important? Here are a few articles to peruse to learn more:
KGW.com
Wikipedia
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
High Rivers
From the PDX Weather Service
Flood watch remains in effect through Wednesday evening for rivers and creeks in NW Oregon and SW Washington
* Heavy rain and snow melt are expected to cause rivers and creeks to rise this afternoon and evening and remain elevated through Wednesday. One to three inches of rain expected, with the possibility of three to five inches.
* Minor flooding is possible on several rivers and creeks.
* A "Flood Watch" means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Landslides and debris flows are possible during this flood event.
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
For entire forecast, visit their website here.
Flood watch remains in effect through Wednesday evening for rivers and creeks in NW Oregon and SW Washington
* Heavy rain and snow melt are expected to cause rivers and creeks to rise this afternoon and evening and remain elevated through Wednesday. One to three inches of rain expected, with the possibility of three to five inches.
* Minor flooding is possible on several rivers and creeks.
* A "Flood Watch" means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Landslides and debris flows are possible during this flood event.
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
For entire forecast, visit their website here.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Weather Update
The Weather Service just held a briefing about the heavy rain storm forecasted for tomorrow and Wednesday. The presentation is attached. Here’s a summary:
• A rainy weather system will come onshore tomorrow morning bringing heavy precipitation to the area on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• The focus of the rain will initially be Northwest OR / Southwest WA, starting tomorrow morning. It will move south throughout the day.
• This event will not be as severe in duration or focus as the rain storm last Wednesday and Thursday. They forecast .75 – 1.5” of rain in the inland valleys, with another .5 – 1.0” Wednesday into Thursday.
• At this point, no rivers in Cowlitz County are expected to flood. The primary rivers of concern are Coastal/Coast Range rivers, Willamette tributaries, and the mainstem Willamette.
• It is possible that the storm may stall at some point tomorrow, but there is no way to know where. If that happens, the unfortunate recipient could receive a significant amount of rain in a very short time.
• The Columbia River Gorge (for any travelers) is definitely a place to avoid. Snow, freezing rain and wind are in store for Cascade Locks east.
We will monitor this storm event and update you if there are substantial changes to the forecast.
• A rainy weather system will come onshore tomorrow morning bringing heavy precipitation to the area on Tuesday and Wednesday.
• The focus of the rain will initially be Northwest OR / Southwest WA, starting tomorrow morning. It will move south throughout the day.
• This event will not be as severe in duration or focus as the rain storm last Wednesday and Thursday. They forecast .75 – 1.5” of rain in the inland valleys, with another .5 – 1.0” Wednesday into Thursday.
• At this point, no rivers in Cowlitz County are expected to flood. The primary rivers of concern are Coastal/Coast Range rivers, Willamette tributaries, and the mainstem Willamette.
• It is possible that the storm may stall at some point tomorrow, but there is no way to know where. If that happens, the unfortunate recipient could receive a significant amount of rain in a very short time.
• The Columbia River Gorge (for any travelers) is definitely a place to avoid. Snow, freezing rain and wind are in store for Cascade Locks east.
We will monitor this storm event and update you if there are substantial changes to the forecast.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Livin' on the Edge
Following a briefing from the Portland National Weather Service (NWS), it appears that Cowlitz County is on the outer edge of a High Wind Advisory. They are predicting winds of 25-35 mph with gusts of 50 mph, though it will likely be less in our area and concentrated further southwest. The advisory is beginning at 10:00 p.m. Friday night until 10:00 a.m. Saturday. The freezing level should drop which should minimize flooding concerns.So far, whether through happenstance, providence or voodoo, we have been shielded from the brunt of Mother Nature's machinations. No, I didn't get a thesaurus for Christmas. Why do you ask? Anyway, there is another storm system following behind the current one which should arrive around Tuesday. NWS is watching this storm pattern and we will know more on Monday. Keep those umbrellas and flashlights handy!
Carbon Monoxide Dangers
This info is from Pierce County Emergency Management. While they are experiencing much worse weather than we are, this is still a good reminder of the dangers of carbon monoxide.As power outages and falling temperatures continue in Pierce County, the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning increases. Carbon monoxide is caused by burning almost anything inside your house. It is a colorless, odorless gas which can go undetected until it is too late. It is important to be aware of the risk of serious injury or possible death from carbon monoxide poisoning. If your home is without power, consider going to a family or friends house, the mall, movie theater, or even a warming center.
To avoid potential carbon monoxide poisoning, follow these tips:
• DO NOT burn charcoal inside homes, tents, campers, vans, trucks, garages, or mobile homes.
• DO NOT burn charcoal in the fireplace in your home.
• DO NOT use any gasoline-powered equipment indoors.
• DO NOT use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
• DO NOT idle a car in a garage, even when the garage door is open.
• DO NOT sleep in a room while using an unvented kerosene heater.
• DO NOT burn charcoal in the fireplace in your home.
• DO NOT use any gasoline-powered equipment indoors.
• DO NOT use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
• DO NOT idle a car in a garage, even when the garage door is open.
• DO NOT sleep in a room while using an unvented kerosene heater.
Always DO these things:
• Make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.
• Have oil and gas appliances, fireplaces and wood stoves checked every year by a trained professional.
• Every home should have a battery operated carbon monoxide alarm, but this should not replace the other prevention steps.
What should you do if you think someone has been poisoned by carbon monoxide?
• Move the person to a place with fresh air immediately.
• Call 911 if the person has lost consciousness (fainted or passed out).
• If the person did not lose consciousness take the person to an emergency room and tell them that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.
• Have oil and gas appliances, fireplaces and wood stoves checked every year by a trained professional.
• Every home should have a battery operated carbon monoxide alarm, but this should not replace the other prevention steps.
What should you do if you think someone has been poisoned by carbon monoxide?
• Move the person to a place with fresh air immediately.
• Call 911 if the person has lost consciousness (fainted or passed out).
• If the person did not lose consciousness take the person to an emergency room and tell them that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
Additional information can be viewed on the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department website in Spanish, Russian, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Latest Weather Briefing Information
The National Weather Service (NWS) held a weather briefing this afternoon to discuss heavy rain and potential flooding. The good news is that Cowlitz County and SW Washington may escape high river levels but Oregon will not. There is a flood watch for our county as there may be impacts due to high creeks, streams and overfull culverts. None of the major rivers are expected to exceed their banks or reach flood stage.
So the forecast is there will be rain and strong winds over the next few days. See below for the most recent forecast.
Thursday Afternoon: Rain. High near 43. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday night: Rain. Low around 35. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 5 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday: Rain. High near 45. South southeast wind between 8 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Rain. Low around 40. South wind between 14 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday: Rain. High near 46. South southwest wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Rain. Low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 37.
See the attached slides from the weather briefing for further details.
More storms on the horizon for next week. Check the NWS website regularly for additional information: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/
The road closure page is up and running for those Cowlitz County roads impacted by the weather. Go to: http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/dem/roads/ for details.
Note: For those who have been checking the Cowlitz River gauge near Kelso it is back in service. NWS technicians repaired a modem at the Hall of Justice this morning.
http://bit.ly/wGHUpA
So the forecast is there will be rain and strong winds over the next few days. See below for the most recent forecast.
Thursday Afternoon: Rain. High near 43. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday night: Rain. Low around 35. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 5 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday: Rain. High near 45. South southeast wind between 8 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Rain. Low around 40. South wind between 14 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday: Rain. High near 46. South southwest wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Rain. Low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 37.
See the attached slides from the weather briefing for further details.
More storms on the horizon for next week. Check the NWS website regularly for additional information: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/
The road closure page is up and running for those Cowlitz County roads impacted by the weather. Go to: http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/dem/roads/ for details.
Note: For those who have been checking the Cowlitz River gauge near Kelso it is back in service. NWS technicians repaired a modem at the Hall of Justice this morning.
http://bit.ly/wGHUpA
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