Citizens Emergency Response team responds to drill - Whitman, MA - Whitman Times

In other communities

Citizens Emergency Response team responds to drill - Whitman, MA - Whitman Times: "Of the 16 CERT volunteers who responded, 10 were licensed Amateur Radio operators. This radio training was in addition to the professional CERT training that qualified them for situations like this.

The 16 CERT volunteer participants were; Bob Schmitt KB1MTY WEMA Director, Bill Hayden N1FRE EOC-Radio Control operator, Mike Supple KB1OEP, Susan Supple, Stacey Supple, Paul Moss KB1MTW, Ron Stundze KB1OEQ, Gloria Chiaramonte KB1OAV, Skip O’Malley KB1MTZ, Cathy Costello KB1MTX, Erika LaFlamme KB1MTV, Rick Peterson KB1OEU, Joan Peterson, Mark Huska, Ted Petersen and Don Taylor.

The EOC radio control center was activated by radio operator Mike Supple KB1OEP and later manned by the Whitman Radio Amateur Civilian Emergency Service and RACES Radio Officer Bill Hayden N1FRE. During the day, radio contact was available between the EOC and CERT participants, Fire and Police at the drill scene. As many as 30 VHF and UHF radio frequencies were constantly being monitored at the EOC radio center during the exercise. Skip O’Malley KB1OEZ was assigned to drive one of the busses during activities. Although the CERT members played a small back-ground type support role in this exercise, such as bus driving and delivering food and drinks to the others at the town hall, all were ready willing and able to perform what ever task was assigned."

Newport News-Times: Neighborhood tsunami education program planned in Lincoln City

Newport News-Times: Neighborhood tsunami education program planned in Lincoln City: "For those have wondered how they can help their neighborhood be more prepared in case of a tsunami, or who wonder about the different types of tsunamis, or who simply want to be more involved in their community, the City of Lincoln City is hosting a series of community education programs about neighborhood tsunami preparedness.

People are invited to come and learn more about how to be more prepared in the event of a tsunami. These one-hour sessions will be held on Feb. 5 and March 18. Althea Turner, the tsunami preparedness coordinator in Lincoln City, will explain ways for people to share their enthusiasm with others. Those unable to attend one of these meetings may contact Turner and make alternative arrangements. She is also available speak to groups about tsunami preparedness."

Emergency response plans restore local authority -- Newsday.com

Emergency response plans restore local authority -- Newsday.com: "WASHINGTON - In the first overhaul of emergency response planning since the botched response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff unveiled a blueprint yesterday that restores authority to state and local officials, emphasizes preparedness and strengthens the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

He described the new plan as 'a simple, straightforward guide' to respond to crises of all sorts, whether a hurricane in Long Island, a wildfire in California or a terror attack on New York City."

Hello Fellow team members

My name is Ron Thomas.. I do the work on your website. I would like to encourage those of you who are interested to put more articles on your website. One new thing that we are using in Newport is a picture show of the team.

Go to our site by

CLICKING HERE

and take a look... When you enter the page wait a couple of seconds and the show will begin. Do you have pictures of what your team has been doing? Send them to me and we will make a slide show for you...

email me at:
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CurryPilot.com

CurryPilot.com: "A tsunami warning for the coast of Alaska, and a tsunami advisory for the coastal areas of California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada, were cancelled at 2:07 a.m. today (Wednesday) after alarms were sounded throughout Curry County and the West Coast in the early morning.

The National Warning System (NAWAS) cancelled both the warning and advisory after no destructive tsunami was recorded, and 'no tsunami danger exists for Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon or California.'"

HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING
THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST AND THE NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST
Urgent - Weather Message National Weather Service Portland OR 1207 PM PST Fri Dec 14 2007



North Oregon Coast-Central Oregon Coast-South Washington Coast- Including The Cities Of...Astoria...Cannon Beach...Tillamook... Lincoln City...Newport...Florence...Raymond...Long Beach... Cathlamet 1207 PM PST Fri Dec 14 2007

...High Wind Watch In Effect From Sunday Morning Through Sunday Afternoon For The South Washington Coast And The North And Central Oregon Coast...

The National Weather Service In Portland Has Issued A High Wind Watch...Which Is In Effect From Sunday Morning Through Sunday Afternoon.

A Series Of Frontal Systems Will Move Off The Pacific Ocean And Into The Pacific Northwest To Bring Very Gusty Winds To The South Washington Coast And The North And Central Oregon Coast. These Fronts Will Also Bring Gusty Winds To The North And Central Oregon Coast Range.

The First Front Will Come Inland Tonight With South Winds Expected To Increase To 30 Mph With Gusts 45 Mph At The North Oregon And South Washington Coast During The Evening And To 25 Mph With Gusts 35 To 45 Mph On The Ridges Of The North And Central Oregon Coast Range.

Be Aware That Trees May Weakened...And More Prone To Falling...By Previous Wind And Rain Storms In These Areas.

A High Wind Watch Is Now In Effect For The South Washington Coast And The North Oregon Coast For South Winds 35 Mph With Gusts 60 To 65 Mph Sunday As The Second...Stronger Front Approaches. These Winds Will Be Strongest Near The Beaches But May Also Affect The Coastal Communities. As That Front Moves Inland Also Expect South Winds 30 Mph With Gusts 40 To 50 Mph In The Higher Elevations Of The North And Central Oregon Coast Range. This Front Could Either Weaken Or Strengthen...And The High Wind Watch May Be Upgraded To A Warning Or Canceled As The Event Becomes More Clearly Defined. Stay Abreast Of Later Bulletins Concerning This Developing Weather Pattern.

A High Wind Watch Means There Is The Potential For A Hazardous High Wind Event. Sustained Winds Of At Least 40 Mph...Or Gusts Of 58 Mph Or Stronger May Occur. Continue To Monitor The Latest Forecasts.

Amateur radio operators step up when needed to keep county in touch with the world

Amateur radio operators step up when needed to keep county in touch with the world: "When twin storms hammered the coast Sunday through Monday with hurricane-force winds, snapping tree limbs like twigs and cutting power to thousands in Clatsop County, amateur radio operators didn't just bolster efforts at the county Emergency Operations Center. They were the heart of the response."

Ham radio operators add to relief effort in storm-battered Oregon

Ham radio operators add to relief effort in storm-battered Oregon: "In Oregon, about 200 volunteer ham radio operators have donated their time since last Sunday night to provide needed communications since the storms struck, said Vince Vanderhyde, emergency coordinator for the amateur radio volunteers who assist the Oregon Emergency Management Agency (OEM). 'I spoke to a woman who's been operating her radio in [the city of] Vernonia for 20 hours straight,' Vanderhyde said. 'Another guy volunteered to help communicate, then he said he was exhausted and was heading home to clean up his own house, which had been flooded with floodwaters. I have to tell you, it's the most dedicated bunch of citizen volunteers that you can imagine.'"

Campground obliterated as slide triggers 'tsunami'

Campground obliterated as slide triggers 'tsunami': "Penner said the incident likely occurred during Monday's rain storm when part of a nearby mountain slid into the western end of the lake. Since then, about two hectares of debris has been pushed to the eastern end of the lake, where it meets the Chehalis River, a tributary of the Harrison River, he said. The water appeared to have rocked back and forth on either side of the lake, pulling trees and brush into the lake, he said. 'A big chunk of a side of a mountain let go,' Penner said, describing the devastation he witnessed. 'The wall of water that was pushed up out of the lake was at least 30 to 40 feet high as it came ashore at the west end of the lake.'"

Newport News-Times: Fire personnel breathe again as storm of emergency calls ebbs

Newport News-Times: Fire personnel breathe again as storm of emergency calls ebbs: "Williams recounted some of the department's most memorable calls."

Newport News-Times: Emergency notification system has variety of potential uses

Newport News-Times: Emergency notification system has variety of potential uses: "This week's attack by Mother Nature, which resulted in power outages, blocked roadways and concerns of flooding in many parts of Lincoln County, was a reminder once again of how important it is to be able to get the word out among residents of potential hazards or emergency situations. "

News - StatesmanJournal.com

News - StatesmanJournal.com: "Bad as it was, that devastation would pale in comparison to what would happen to low-lying Tillamook in a powerful offshore earthquake or tsunami, O'Neil said. 'I can't even fathom it. It would be absolute chaos. There would be nowhere to go,' she said Wednesday. Geologists say massive earthquakes and tsunamis have occurred every 300 to 500 years off the Oregon coast. The most recent one, in 1700, drowned coastal forests in Oregon, altered the coastline and sent tsunami waves across the Pacific so powerful that they destroyed Japanese fishing villages. Jay Wilson, an earthquake and tsunami specialist for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, said the state has made significant strides in recent years in preparing for the 'big one.'"

HIGH SURF WARNING NOW IN EFFECT
UNTIL 4 AM PST MONDAY FOR THE SOUTH WASHINGTON AND NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST
Urgent - Immediate Broadcast Requested Coastal Hazard Message...Corrected National Weather Service Portland OR 214 PM PST Sun Dec 2 2007





North Oregon Coast-Central Oregon Coast-South Washington Coast- 214 PM PST Sun Dec 2 2007

...High Surf Warning Now In Effect Until 4 AM PST Monday For The South Washington And North And Central Oregon Coast... ...Coastal Flood Warning In Effect From 4 AM To 12 PM PST Monday For The South Washington And North And Central Oregon Coast...

The National Weather Service In Portland Has Issued A Coastal Flood Warning...Which Is In Effect From 4 AM To 12 PM PST Monday. The High Surf Warning Is Now In Effect Until 4 AM PST Monday. The Coastal Flood Watch Is No Longer In Effect.

The Strongest Portion Of This Pacific Storm Will Affect The Coast Tonight And Monday Morning. With Stronger Winds The Seas Will Build To Over 40 Feet As Measured By Offshore Buoys By Late Tonight.

The Seas Combined With High Tides Monday Morning And The Strong Winds Will Be Able To Push The Ocean Into The Land. This Will Produce Flooding Due To The Ocean Water Being Past The Beaches And Damage Caused By Debris That Is Pushed Ashore By The Ocean. The Time Of Most Of The Coastal Flooding Will Be Around The Time Of High Tide.

The High Tide On The South Washington Coast At Toke Point Will Be 825 AM Monday Morning.

The High Tide On The North Oregon Coast At Astoria Will Be Around 842 AM Monday Morning.

The High Tide On The Central Oregon Coast Near Newport Will Be Around 800 AM Monday Morning.

Until Early Monday Morning The High Surf Warning Will Continue Along The Coast. A High Surf Warning Indicates That Dangerous... Battering Wave Will Pound The Shoreline. Seas Of This Magnitude Are Capable Of Rolling And Moving Large Logs. These Conditions Will Make Beaches...Jetties...And Breakwaters Unsafe. Beach Erosion Is Also Likely.

A Coastal Flood Warning Means That Flooding Is Occurring Or Imminent. Coastal Residents In The Warned Area Should Be Alert For Rising Water...And Take Appropriate Action To Protect Life And Property.

ORZ001-002-030130-
/O.CON.KPQR.HW.W.0008.000000T0

000Z-071204T0600Z/
NORTH OR COAST-CNTL OR COAST-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF.ASTORIA.CANNON BEACH.TILLAMOOK.
LINCOLN CITY.NEWPORT.FLORENCE
917 AM PST SUN DEC 2 2007

.HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST MONDAY
FOR THE NO. & CNTL OR COASTS.

A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST MONDAY.

TWO PERIODS OF VERY STRONG WINDS ARE EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT
24 HRS ALONG THE NO. & CNTL OR COAST. THE FIRST WAS
BEGINNING THIS MORNING.WITH SO. WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH AND
GUSTS TO 75 MPH NEAR COASTAL HEADLANDS & BEACHES & 65 MPH IN
COASTAL COMMUNITIES TODAY. WINDS WILL DECREASE BRIEFLY THIS EVENING
BEFORE THE SECOND PERIOD OF EVEN STRONGER WINDS OCCURS LATE TONIGHT
AND MONDAY. BY MON MORNING WINDS WILL RISE TO 30 TO 50 MPH WITH
GUSTS TO POSSIBLY OVER 100 MPH NEAR THE HEADLANDS & BEACHES AND
80 MPH IN THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES. THE WINDS WILL DECREASE MONDAY
NIGHT ONCE THE ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT PUSHES ONSHORE.

THESE WINDS.ESPECIALLY THOSE LATE TONIGHT & MONDAY.ARE
STRONG ENOUGH TO PRODUCE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE & CAUSE POWER
OUTAGES.

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS
OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Coastal Flood Warning - ALERT 1

HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 10 PM PST SUNDAY FOR THE CENTRAL OREGON COAST, COASTAL FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE CENTRAL OREGON COAST

Issue Time: 2:08 PM PST Saturday Dec 1 2007

Valid Until: 4:15 AM PST Sunday Dec 2 2007

Back to summary HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 10 PM PST SUNDAY FOR THE CENTRAL OREGON COAST UNTIL 4:15AM PST Urgent - Immediate Broadcast Requested Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Portland OR 208 PM PST Sat Dec 1 2007 Central Oregon Coast- 208 PM PST Sat Dec 1 2007 ...High Surf Advisory In Effect From 6 AM To 10 PM PST Sunday For The Central Oregon Coast... ...Coastal Flood Watch In Effect From Sunday Evening Through Monday Afternoon For The Central Oregon Coast... The National Weather Service In Portland Has Issued A High Surf Advisory...Which Is In Effect From 6 AM To 10 PM PST Sunday. A Coastal Flood Watch Has Also Been Issued. This Coastal Flood Watch Is In Effect From Sunday Evening Through Monday Afternoon. The Initial Portion Of A Very Strong Pacific Storm Will Move Into The Central Coast On Sunday. Seas As Measured By Buoys Just Offshore Will Top 20 Feet After Daybreak On Sunday And Rise To Around 25 Feet By Midday. Seas May Drop Off A Few Feet Late Sunday Afternoon And Early Evening Before Seas Build Again With The Stronger Portion Of This Storm. Seas Will Build To Near 40 Feet Early Monday Morning And May Top 45 Feet By Later Morning. These Seas Combined With Very Strong Winds And High Tides Have The Potential To Push The Ocean Into The Land Causing Damage And Flooding. High Tide On Monday Morning Will Be 745 AM Along The Central Oregon Coast. A High Surf Advisory Means That High Surf Will Affect Beaches In The Advisory Area...Producing Localized Beach Erosion. Seas Of This Magnitude Are Capable Of Rolling And Moving Large Logs In The Beach Area. Persons Near The Beaches Need To Use Caution Near These Logs Or Beach Debris. A Coastal Flood Watch Means That Conditions Favorable For Flooding Are Expected To Develop. Coastal Residents Should Be Alert For Later Statements Or Warnings...And Take Action To Protect Property.

High Winds Forecast in County

LCSD has taken part in a briefing with Lincoln County Emergency Services regarding strong damaging winds that are probable along the coast and in the Coast Range Sunday and Monday, December 2 and 3, 2007. Winds on Sunday have a potential of 50 mph with gusts to 70. On Monday, 65 mph sustained winds are predicted, with gusts to 100.

If it is determined that schools and buses will operate as usual on Monday, no statement will be issued from the District. If buses and schools are impacted, information will be provided in the following ways:

►By 6:00 a.m. local radio stations and major Portland TV news stations will be

notified and will begin making announcements.

►A message will be recorded on the LCSD 24-hour information line: 265-4437.

►By 6:30 a.m., the LCSD website www.lincoln.k12.or.us will be updated with the

current school closure/delay information.

►If local radio stations are off the air, please tune your radio to channel a.m. 1110

out of Bend.

Power outages and/or downed power lines may make Internet access and phone messaging systems unavailable. Because of isolated inclement weather situations, some areas might close or have a two-hour delay, while other unaffected areas will remain open.

Monster storm heading our way

A system to arrive Sunday may prompt Oregon's first hurricane wind warning

Friday, November 30, 2007

STUART TOMLINSON

The Oregonian

To the extent forecasting the weather is like playing music, Oregon meteorologists Thursday were cranking up the volume.

Forecasters from the public and private sector, as well as the media, were scrambling to get their arms around a double-whammy of winter weather barreling toward the region. They expect a rare Willamette Valley snowstorm Saturday, followed by what some predict will be a once-a-decade storm packing high winds and heavy rains early next week.

The National Weather Service has said it might issue its first hurricane wind warning for Oregon in advance of the second storm.

"Everything points to this being a very strong, prolonged event," said the weather service's Ira Kosovitz. "We could see sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, if not 100."

The ingredients for snow Saturday at the lower elevations in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington are coming together, with the highest likelihood of accumulations in the area from Salem in the south to Olympia in the north.

"I think we'll see snow starting around 10 or 11 a.m. lasting for a couple of hours but with not a lot of accumulation," said Clinton Rockey of the National Weather Service in Portland. "It should change over to rain by midafternoon, but snow throughout the day in the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascades."

As noteworthy as that forecast is -- snow being rare around here -- the biggest news Thursday at the National Weather Service offices in Portland was the approaching "monster" Pacific storm that's going to bring potentially damaging winds and widespread flooding to the region Sunday into Monday and Tuesday.

The size and scope of the storm -- which has tapped into the energy of typhoons Mitag and Hagibis -- may prompt the first hurricane force wind warning, which would mean sustained winds of 74 mph or higher on the Oregon and Washington coasts.

That's a big deal, but not quite as big as the "first in history" designation might suggest.

Bill Schneider, the science and operations manager for the weather service, said the agency was given the go-ahead by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration only five years ago, in 2002, to issue such a warning "to highlight the extreme nature of rare storms that may only occur once every 5 to 10 years."

Schneider said such storms -- extratropical cyclones -- don't have the structure of a hurricane, and shouldn't be confused with an actual hurricane, but they are, in fact, larger and have a broader impact zone.

After the wind comes the rain. George Taylor of the Oregon Climate Service characterized the looming storm as a "hybrid," with traits similar to the damaging windstorm of December 1995 and the flooding rains of November 1996.

Forecast models show a plume of moisture extending from Oregon to Hawaii by late Sunday, a classic Pineapple Express that's been called an atmospheric river.

"The intensity of the winds followed by intense rains makes it a very significant storm with big-time rain," Taylor said. "We could see three to four inches (of rain) in the valley, and even more at higher elevations."

The storm is expected to combine rising snow levels with heavy rains, a recipe responsible for damaging floods.

Snow levels -- which have been below pass level this week, allowing Timberline to go to full operations, and Mt. Hood Meadows, Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Hood Skibowl to open additional lifts -- will begin to rise Sunday.

Matt Zaffino, meteorologist for KGW (8) in Portland, said the storm's deep area of low pressure is one of the strongest he's seen in recent memory, even stronger than the Columbus Day Storm of October 1962. He predicted that this storm, however, won't be as damaging as that storm because it will stay farther offshore.

Even so, Zaffino said, "This thing is an absolute monster -- it covers the entire Northeast Gulf of Alaska.

"It's huge."

Stuart Tomlinson: 503-221-8313; stuarttomlinson@ news.oregonian.com

Daily Pilot

Daily Pilot: "There is no place like home. When a disaster hits, stay at your home, or go to the CERT-designated command center (this assumes you and your neighbors have taken the initiative to organize a Community Emergency Response Team). Do not go to the police and fire stations. They will likely not be there. And putting more people on the road just makes it harder for the rescue personnel to get where they need to go. "

Video: Earthquake Rocks Chile

What it will be like!

Video: Earthquake Rocks Chile: "November 15, 2007— Residents were recovering from a major earthquake that knocked down houses and electrical wires this week in northern Chile. At least two were killed. "

Rossmoor News

CERT IN OTHER COMMUNITIES

Rossmoor News: "Rossmoor residents take seriously all efforts to prepare for a major disaster. Last month's 5.6 earthquake near San Jose was a reminder that people must be prepared to take care of themselves when a major earthquake strikes the Bay Area. Hurricane Katrina was a lesson that emergency workers might not show up right away. Emergency responders now say people should be prepared to survive on their own for seven days. There aren't enough trained professionals to be able to reach everyone right away."