West Side Highway

Westside Highway remains closed between Solomon Road and Fisher's Lane.  At this time, WSDOT can only estimate that the road will be closed several days while emergency repairs are made.  For questions about this project, you can call WSDOT at 360-705-7000.

Blustery Weekend

Power outages and downed trees galore in Cowlitz County this weekend!  Our area was battered by gusts of winds from 40-50 mph and the PUD was busy restoring power.  Looks like a return to calm for the rest of week, but the river level remains unseasonably high.

For the most up to date information, be sure to "like" our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CowlitzCountyDEM.

Updated Forecast

The weather forecast keeping getting worse.  Here are expected impacts to Cowlitz County:

*  First weather system will be Friday night into Saturday;
*  Second, stronger system will be Saturday night into Sunday;
*  1.5-4 inches of rain from Friday night to Sunday night.
*  Winds 25-35 mph
*  Sharp rises on smaller creeks; urban street flooding possible.

Due to the upcoming storm system, the scheduled repairs to Westside Hwy between Solomon Road and Fisher's Lane have been postponed to a later date.

However, PREPARE FAIR 2013 has NOT been postponed.  Come see us at Kessler Elementary on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  There will be lots of activities and prizes all about disaster preparedness.  The first 15 people through the door will receive complimentary emergency ponchos! Wooo hoooo!

Wet Weather Ahead

Here is the latest from the National Weather Service regarding an anticipated storm this weekend. I apologize for the all caps, that's how they come from NWS and I didn't have time to re-type. A POTENT FALL STORM WILL SET UP OFF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA COAST THIS WEEKEND AND BRING PROLONGED MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN TO THE REGION. THE FIRST BATCH OF RAIN WILL ARRIVE BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON AFFECTING AREAS FROM THE NORTH OREGON COAST TO THE SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES. BETWEEN 0.75 AND 2.00 INCHES OF RAIN WILL FALL BY DAYBREAK SATURDAY WITH HEAVIEST AMOUNTS OVER THE COAST RANGE AND SOUTHWEST SLOPES OF THE WASHINGTON CASCADES. THE JET STREAM GRADUALLY SAGS SOUTH SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY MORNING AND BRINGS A REINFORCING PUNCH OF TROPICAL MOISTURE. THIS DEEP PLUME OF MOISTURE IS BEING GENERATED FROM FORMER TYPHOON PABUK CURRENTLY LOCATED OFF JAPAN'S EAST COAST. THIS SECOND LEADING EDGE OF RAIN WILL ARRIVE AROUND MID-DAY SATURDAY. MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WILL THEN GRADUALLY SHIFT SOUTH OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS WITH HEAVY RAIN REACHING THE CENTRAL OREGON COAST BY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. AGGRESSIVE RAINFALL ESTIMATES BRING SUNDAY EVENING RAIN TOTALS NEARING 10 INCHES FOR SOUTHWEST SLOPES OF THE SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES WITH AREAS NEAR MT HEBO IN THE OREGON COAST RANGE SEEING AROUND 8 INCHES. IN ALL...AREAS ALONG THE FAR NORTH OREGON AND SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST WILL SEE 5 TO 6 INCHES WITH AMOUNTS TAPERING OFF TO THE SOUTHEAST WHERE THE CENTRAL CASCADES RECEIVE AROUND 1.30 INCHES. THE PORTLAND METRO AREA COULD SEE AROUND 3.50 INCHES WITH AMOUNTS TAPERING OFF TO 2.50 INCHES SOUTH OF EUGENE. WINDY CONDITIONS WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 50 MPH WILL ALSO ARRIVE AT THE COAST SATURDAY. WINDS SHIFT INLAND SATURDAY NIGHT WHERE GUSTS TO AROUND 40 MPH. SATURATED SOILS AND GUSTY WINDS AND SUMMER WEAKENED TREES WILL LIKELY LEAD TO ANOTHER ROUND OF TREE DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES. HEAVY RAINS COULD ALSO LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING...ESPECIALLY WHERE DRAINS AND CULVERTS ARE CLOGGED. DETAILS ON THIS DEVELOPING STORM ARE FAR FROM CERTAIN WITH SUBTLE SHIFTS IN POSITION AND TIMING EXPECTED. PLEASE CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA OUTLET.

Want to Be a Reserve Deputy?

Have you ever wanted to be a law enforcement officer? The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for reserve deputies through Oct. 1. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver's license and high school diploma or GED, and pass a physical and written test, as well as an in-depth background investigation. Those who pass will participate in a reserve academy, beginning in January. Reserve deputies must volunteer at least 16 hours each month helping sheriff's deputies with their daily duties, as well as attend bimonthly training sessions. Applications are available at the sheriff's office in the Hall of Justice, 312 S.W. First Ave. in Kelso. For more information, call Deputy Jordan Spencer at 360-577-3092 or visit http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/index.aspx?nid=984 .

Plan to Be Safe

From Washington State Military Dept--Emergency Management Division In the coming weeks we will feature earthquake preparedness and safety recommendations as an optional addition to your ShakeOut participation, which will improve your readiness for a big earthquake or other emergencies. Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. The Washington Military Department - Emergency Management Division provides downloadable action plans for how you can plan to be safe from earthquakes, tsunamis, and other hazards, as part of a variety of resources to help you Prepare in a Year. Here are highlights of what to consider when planning for earthquakes: • Identify safe spots in every room, such as under sturdy desks or tables, or on the ground next to an interior wall away from windows and things that may fall. • Earthquakes can start fires, so store a fire extinguisher where it can be easily accessed, and learn how to use it (P.A.S.S. - Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep). • People often cut their feet during or after earthquakes when they get out of bed and walk barefoot on broken glass or other fallen objects. To keep shoes and a flashlight within reach, put them in a bag under your bed. • Access to making long distance phone calls is usually restored first. Choose someone who lives out of the area for everyone in your family to report their status, then learn how to Text First, Talk Second from ShakeOut partner Safe America Foundation. • If you are a person with a disability or need extra help, include your personal support network in your plan and visit EarthquakeCountry.org/disability for a variety of resources. • Find out if you live, work or play in a tsunami zone and make sure everyone knows how to get to higher ground if necessary. To find out if you’re in the zone, visit: https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/geology/?Theme=tsunami_evac

First Responder Training at LCC

This Wednesday morning, September 18th, Emergency Management together with Lower Columbia College, local fire, EMS, law enforcement and SWAT agencies will be conducting a DRILL practicing dealing with an armed intruder to the college campus. Full-scale TRAINING like this is extremely valuable for our first responders. This DRILL has been in the planning stages for many months and is in no way related to the real-life events that have occurred earlier this week on the east coast. This DRILL is part of the continuing effort to ensure the safety and security of the college campus & our community. Please DO NOT be alarmed by the response vehicles and other first responder activities you may see in the area, and if you are a place of business be sure to notify your customers about this event as well. Thank you!