Possibility of Thunderstorms Today

The National Weather Service predicts a chance of scattered thunderstorms and rain showers later this afternoon into the evening.  The thunderstorms and rain are expected mostly in the Cascade Range and Willamette Valley, but may head this way.

Law Enforcement Memorial Candlelight Vigil

The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office is holding the 5th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Candlelight Vigil to commemorate National Police Week.  The vigil will be held in the parking lot of the Kelso Longview Seventh Day Adventist Church at 77 Solomon Road in Kelso on May 14th from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

It's Volcano Awareness Month!

Happy Volcano Awareness Month!  I hope you've all sent out your Volcano Awareness Month cards and finished your Volcano Awareness Month shopping. 

Here are some "fun" facts from the USGS:

•Washington’s five large volcanic cones (Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St.  Helens) are presently not erupting, but are considered active because of the recentness of eruptions, and the long-term presence of earthquakes and thermal features.
  
•During the last 4,000 years, eruptions at Cascade volcanoes—from Washington State to northern California—happened at an average of once or twice a century, with individual eruptions lasting for months, years, and even decades.

•Seven volcanoes in the Cascade Range have erupted since 1776; four of these eruptions would have caused substantial damage and loss of life if they occurred today.

•As the population increases in the Pacific Northwest, areas near volcanoes are being developed and recreational usage is expanding, putting more people and property at risk from volcanic activity. 

USGS Open House to Commemmorate the 35th Anniversary of Mt. St. Helens Eruption

May 18^th marks the 35th anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens.  In commemoration, the U.S. Geological Survey–Cascades Volcano Observatory opens its doors to the news media and public on Saturday, May 2, 2015, from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. for a one-day open house.

 Visitors can talk to volcanologists about their research, learn about the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, and watch videos of the changes that have occurred inside the crater over the past 35 years.  Scientists will demonstrate monitoring equipment such as thermal imaging, earthquake detection, and how to track ground deformation by satellite.  See what a remote volcano monitoring station looks like and watch a scientific “spider” do its job.  A robotic arm will be operating in the sediment laboratory and scientists will be on hand to talk about how they collect and process sediments, and how rivers respond to dam removal. 

 

Learn more about landslides and volcanic hazards including whether or not you live in a hazard zone.  There will be hands-on science activities and you can have your picture taken in front of a green screen that places you in the crater of an exploding volcano.  Continuing a USGS–CVO open house tradition, visitors are invited to bring their mystery rock to be identified by a geologist.

 

What:         Open House at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory

 

When:        Saturday May 2, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

 

Where:       1300 SE Cardinal Ct., Building 10, Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98683 (located on the east side of Vancouver, WA, in the Columbia Tech Park)

Help Support Cowlitz Dive Rescue

The Cowlitz County Dive Rescue Team will be hosting a Bunco fundraiser on May 7th at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 155 (1250 12th Ave in Longview).  $20 per person gets you a great Bunco night with fun prizes and raffles.  All proceeds go to help the dive team with training and equipment maintenance costs!  For more information contact Tracy at 430-5173 or visit www.cowlitzdiverescue.com.

Safe Kids Day

Looking for some family fun this weekend?  Check out Safe Kids Day this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YMCA in Longview.  There will be informational booths, games and prizes.  We'll be there promoting disaster preparedness!

First Aid for Your Finances

Being ready for a disaster is more than storing extra water and supplies. It is equally important for you and your family to be financially ready for disasters.  April is Financial Literacy Month. Now is a good to time to ensure you have adequate insurance, a plan to pay bills, and an alternate way to access financial and personal records. Taking these preparedness steps will help with disaster recovery.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Operation HOPE created the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK). Use the EFFAK to identify important documents, medical records, and household contracts. 

When completing the kit, you will be guided to include pictures or a video of your home and belongings, and to store them in a safe place. Storing critical documents is also one of the ten ways to participate in America’s PrepareAthon! so be sure to register your actions on the campaign website.

The 2014 EFFAK is available in English, Spanish, and reader enabled English versions that can be filled out online.

To learn more about the EFFAK and other tools you can use to prepare your finances, check out this blog post from Gwen Camp, Director of FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division and a public service announcement from FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and Operation HOPE CEO and founder John Hope Bryant.