Columbia County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Regional Multi - Hazard Mitigation Project Underway!

The planning process has been launched to complete a Regional Multi - Hazard Mitigation Plan for Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin Counties as part of the FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. This project is being funded through a FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant. The Southeast Washington Multi - Hazard Mitigation Plan will include risk analyses, vulnerability assessments, and a summary of mitigation recommendations for disasters such as floods, landslides, wildfire, earthquakes, severe storms, and drought.

Northwest Management, Inc. has been retained by the Emergency Management departments in each county to provide risk assessments, mapping, field inspections, interviews, and to collaborate with the planning committees to author the plan. The coordinating team includes all area fire districts, land managers, elected officials, county departments, law enforcement, local agencies, city officials, and others. Northwest Management specialists will conduct analyses and work with the committees to formulate recommendations for potential treatments that will help lessen potential impacts and losses from various natural hazards.

One of the goals of the planning process will be to increase the participating jurisdictions’ eligibility for additional grants that will help reduce the risk and potential impact of disaster events. The planning team will be conducting public meetings to discuss preliminary findings and to seek public input on the Plan’s recommendations. For more information on the Southeast Washington Multi - Hazard Mitigation Plan project for Columbia County contact Bill Peters or Lisa Caldwell, Columbia County Emergency Management, at (509) 382-2534.

Freezing Rain Advisory and Hazardous Weather

Freezing Rain Advisory
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
511 AM PST THU DEC 31 2009


...A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION TODAY BRINGING A MIX OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA...


FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF ...HEPPNER...PENDLETON...DAYTON...WAITSBURG...WALLA WALLA
511 AM PST THU DEC 31 2009

...FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 4 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON...

* A BRIEF PERIOD OF SNOW AND OR FREEZING RAIN IS EXPECTED BY
MIDDAY TODAY BEFORE CHANGING TO RAIN THIS AFTERNOON.

* LESS THAN 1 INCH OF SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED. ICE
ACCUMULATIONS OF LESS THAN ONE QUARTER INCH ARE EXPECTED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS. SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.


Hazardous Weather Outlook
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR
530 AM PST THU DEC 31 2009

ORZ041>044-049-050-501>506-WAZ024-026>030-501-502-011330-
EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF OREGON-NORTH CENTRAL OREGON-CENTRAL OREGON-LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON-GRANDE RONDE VALLEY-WALLOWA COUNTY-FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON-
NORTHERN WHEELER AND SOUTHERN GILLIAM COUNTIES-JOHN DAY BASIN-OCHOCO-JOHN DAY HIGHLANDS-EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF WASHINGTON-KITTITAS VALLEY-YAKIMA VALLEY-LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF WASHINGTON-FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON-
NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS-EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-EAST SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
530 AM PST THU DEC 31 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST OREGONAS WELL AS SOUTH CENTRAL AND
SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

WINTER MIX
EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON, EAST SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON, EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF WASHINGTON, KITTITAS VALLEY, YAKIMA VALLEY, LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF WASHINGTON, EASTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE OF OREGON, NORTH CENTRAL OREGON, CENTRAL OREGON, LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON, NORTHERN WHEELER AND SOUTHERN GILLIAM COUNTIES

SNOW
NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS, GRANDE RONDE VALLEY, WALLOWA COUNTY, NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON, JOHN DAY BASIN, OCHOCO-JOHN DAY HIGHLANDS

FREEZING RAIN
FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON, FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON

A STRONG PACIFIC STORM WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION TODAY AND BRING A MIXTURE OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION TO THE FORECAST AREA. MOST AREAS WILL RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...OR SNOW CHANGING TO FREEZING RAIN...AND POSSIBLY ALL RAIN IN SOME AREAS. THIS STORM IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT TO THE ENTIRE FORECAST AREA. NUMEROUS WINTER STORM WARNINGS OR WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES ARE IN EFFECT FOR TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT AND EARLY NEW YEARS DAY.

AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 10 AM THIS MORNING FOR THE YAKIMA VALLEY WITH LIGHT WINDS AND CONTINUED TRAPPED POLLUTANTS IN THE AIR.

Winter Weather/Air StagnationAdvisory & Hazardous Weather Outlook

A WINTER STORM WILL BRING SNOW TO THE AREA TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE INLAND THIS EVENING BRINGING SNOW TO MUCH OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS CAN BE EXPECTED IN AND AROUND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON.

Winter Weather Advisory

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PENDLETON HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW, WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY FOR THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DAYTON...WAITSBURG...WALLA WALLA


* SNOW WILL BEGIN FALLING LATER THIS EVENING AND WILL LIKELY
CONTINUE THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

* TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SNOW IS OCCURRING OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AND ACCUMULATE. TRAVEL MAY BE HAZARDOUS...ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES...OVERPASSES...AND SECONDARY ROADS. MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION...AND SLOW DOWN TO ADJUST FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING DRIVING CONDITIONS AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES.


Air Stagnation Advisory

AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PSTWEDNESDAY FOR THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON-TRI-CITIES...DAYTON...WAITSBURG...WALLA WALLA

* AIR QUALITY MAY DETERIORATE AS A RESULT

WEDNESDAY.

* AIR QUALITY MAY DETERIORATE AS A RESULT OF INCREASING AIR
POLLUTION LEVELS IN VALLEYS AND BASINS DUE TO STABLE
CONDITIONS AND VERY LIGHT WINDS LIMITING MIXING HEIGHTS AND AIR MOVEMENT.

* AIR STAGNATION WILL CAUSE THE ACCUMULATION OF PARTICULATE MATTER IN VALLEYS AND BASINS BELOW 3500 FEET.

* POOR AIR QUALITY MAY AFFECT PERSONS WITH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND PERSONS ENGAGED IN STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY INDICATES THAT DUE TO LIMITED MOVEMENT OF AN AIR MASS ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA...POLLUTION WILL INCREASE. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY FOR POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS IN OUR AREA.


Hazardous Weather Outlook


THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST OREGONAS WELL AS SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON.

VERY LIGHT OR CALM SURFACE WINDS AND STRONG SURFACE BASED
TEMPERATURE INVERSIONS WILL MAINTAIN A STABLE AIRMASS AND STAGNANTAIR CONDITIONS WHICH WILL TRAP AIR POLLUTANTS IN THE BOUNDARY LAYER. AS SUCH AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREAS LISTED ABOVE THROUGH 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THIS EVENING BRINGING SNOW TO MUCH OF THE REGION. SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN AND AROUND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON. THEREFORE, WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES HAVE BEEN ISSUED
FOR THE NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS AND THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON.

FOR COMPLETE WEATHER INFORMATION AND COMPLETE LISTED CITIES GO TO WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PENDLETON

Healthy Holidays - Ways to stay safe and Healthy

The holidays can be alternately fun and stressful. With so much going on, it's important to take some basic health and safety precautions. Here are our top tips:

Spread good cheer, not bad germs. Wash hands often to keep yourself from spreading germs and getting sick. Don't share drinks – and remind your kids to not share bottles of water or soft drinks, which increases the risk of colds, mono and flu.

Don't invite foodborne illness. Buffets and big meals are all part of the holiday cheer. But they can also lead to a higher risk of foodborne illness, which can have serious consequences. Remember these four simple steps:

• Wash hands and surfaces often
• Avoid cross-contamination
• Cook foods to proper temperatures
• Refrigerate foods promptly.

Manage stress. Keep a check on over-commitment and over-spending.

Don't drink and drive. Also, don't let anyone else drink and drive. Plan ahead for parties.

Monitor the children. Keep dangerous toys, foods and household items out of their reach. Make sure toys are used properly.

Prevent injury. The CDC reports that about 5,800 Americans go to emergency rooms during the holiday season for treatment of fall-related injuries sustained while decorating. Use step stools instead of furniture when hanging decorations indoors. When stringing or removing outdoor lights, use a ladder safely and stay off of a wet or snowy roof.

Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Keep candles away from children, pets, curtains and Christmas trees. Never leave fireplaces, stoves or candles unattended.

Don't ignore symptoms of serious illness. A 2004 study from UC San Diego revealed that more people die from heart attacks on Christmas Day and New Year's Day than any other days of the year. Researchers laid the blame on patients' reluctance to disrupt celebrations and seek help. For those suffering from a heart attack or stroke, every second counts. If you see or have any of the symptoms listed below, immediately call 9-1-1:

• Chest discomfort or discomfort in other areas of the upper body.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

by Susan Struck

Fireplace safety at Christmas

Picture yourself watching once of your favorite Christmas movies for a moment. Can you see the Christmas stockings hanging from the fireplace mantel? Fireplaces, stockings and the holiday season just seem to fit together, but are you giving thought to staying safe by the fire? Here are some fireplace safety tips just for the Christmas season.

1. When Santa Claus comes sliding down your chimney, will it be clean? Be sure you have a chimney sweep every year and stay safe. Chimney fires are a major cause of all home fires and in most cases, could be prevented with a simple cleaning.
2. Christmas trees and fireplaces must be kept separated. Nothing like the Christmas tree catching fire to ruin the holiday spirit. This tip also goes for space heaters as well.
3. Keep the Christmas stockings dry, but not burnt. Make sure you take down the stockings before lighting a fire in the fireplace. Yes, it may seem too obvious, but you would be surprised at how many fires are started this way.
4. Holiday candles on the fireplace mantel are another issue to be aware of. Be sure you have them enclosed in glass to protect everything from the flames.
5. Keep the tinsel and garland from hanging over the mantel and away from the fire.
6. Use the fireplace screen to prevent sparks and burning embers from popping out. A simple spark can easily create a disaster.
7. Watch out for the kids. The Christmas season is such a wonderful time of year for the kids and they love to be around the fireplace and all of the ornaments. Be sure to keep them safely away from the fire.

Fireplaces and the Christmas season are a great time of year. Be sure that you and your family stay happy and safe by following these simple fireplace safety tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards

Dense Fog Advisory in Effect

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON, OR 1147 AM PST FRI DEC 18 2009 ..

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PENDLETON HAS ISSUED A DENSE FOG ADVISORY WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST SATURDAY.

A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTE MILE. IF DRIVING, SLOW DOWN, USE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU.

A LAYER OF STRATUS CLOUDS WILL REMAIN TRAPPED BENEATH AN INVERSION ALOFT RESULTING IN AREAS OF DENSE FOG THIS AFTERNOON AND OVERNIGHT.
THE STRATUS CLOUD WILL INTERACT WITH THE TERRAIN AT ELEVATIONS MAINLY BETWEEN 1000 TO 2500 FEET. *

VISIBILITY OF ONE QUARTER OF A MILE OR LESS CAN BE EXPECTED AT TIMES. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION...CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PENDLETON.

HINI VACCINATIONS

Appointments now available for the general public at the

Columbia County Public Health Department,

1010 S. Third Street, Dayton, WA 99328

Please call 382-2181 to schedule an appointment.