Saturday, February 27, 2010
Release #4 South Bend, Washington – The National Weather Service has cancelled the tsunami advisory for the coastal areas of Washington and Oregon. Tsunami waves have generally remained one foot or less along the Washington and Oregon coasts and are expected to remain so for the remainder of the event through this evening. Coastal residents should still use great caution if venturing along the beach or near the water through this evening. Even very small tsunami waves can cause locally dangerous currents which are difficult to predict.
Release #3 South Bend, Washington – A tsunami advisory remains in effect for the coastal areas of Washington, Oregon, and California. There is no tsunami watch or warning in effect at this time. A tsunami is a series of waves potentially dangerous for several hours after the initial arrival time. A tsunami is not a single wave event. For your own safety you are warned to stay out of the water, off the beach, and away from harbors and marinas. Pacific County officials strongly recommend that you stay off all local beaches. Do not go near the water until the tsunami advisory has been lifted. The threat is expected to begin around 2:00 p.m. this afternoon along the central Oregon coast. Sea level rises could continue for several hours. You can continue to monitor the situation at http://www.weather.gov/portland or http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov.
Release #2 South Bend, Washington – For your own safety you are warned to stay out of the water, off the beach, and away from harbors and marinas. Projected wave threat will begin in Oregon at 2:00 p.m. and continue for several hours on our local beaches. Pacific County officials strongly recommend that you stay off all local beaches. You can continue to monitor the situation at http://www.weather.gov/portland or http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov.
Release #1 South Bend, Washington – A tsunami advisory is in effect for the coastal areas of Washington, Oregon, and California. There is no tsunami watch or warning in effect. Repeat, no watch or warning is in effect. No significant coastal flooding is expected to be produced by this tsunami. However, some areas of the coast could experience dangerous currents and surges in harbors and bays. Coastal residents are advised to stay out of the water, off the beach, and away from harbors and marinas. Wave heights and currents are amplified by irregular shoreline and are difficult to predict. The predicted time of the onset of the sea level rise at Westport, WA is 2:57 p.m. For arrival times at additional locations visit http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov. The threat is expected to begin around 2:00 p.m. this afternoon along the central Oregon coast. Sea level rises could continue for several hours. The greatest sea level rise may not be until an hour or two after the initial onset. Pacific County officials are meeting at 9:00 a.m. this morning to determine what response is needed at this time. Another press release will be issued following that meeting. For the most up to date weather information from the National Weather Service please visit http://www.weather.gov/portland. This page brings up all advisories, watches, and warnings for the southwest Washington area.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
South Bend, Washington – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland has issued a high wind warning which is in effect from 4:00 p.m. Thursday to midnight Thursday night. Expect south winds of 35-45 mph with some gusts exceeding 70 mph mainly along beaches and headlands. The strong winds will develop late this afternoon and decrease late this evening with the strongest winds over a two hour period associated with the front. The timing of the frontal passage currently looks to be around 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: 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. For the most up to date weather information from the NWS please visit http://www.weather.gov/portland. This page brings up all advisories, watches, and warnings for the southwest Washington area.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Ilwaco, WA, has completed NOAA’s National Weather Service StormReady® and TsunamiReady™ programs, better equipping the city to handle severe weather and tsunamis. The City of Ilwaco, supported by the Pacific County Emergency Management Council, fulfilled a rigorous set of warning and evacuation criteria, including the development of a formal hazardous weather plan. The City of Ilwaco, as well as the entire peninsula is vulnerable to tsunamis and severe weather due to its location on the Washington coast, at the mouth of the Columbia River. As we experienced in the December storms of 2008, it’s not if, but when we will experience the next disaster. These programs raise public awareness and preparedness which are essential for the safety of our citizens. The City of Ilwaco was able to achieve this recognition because of the planning partnerships we have within our county along with state and federal agencies like the National Weather Service. The continuing support of the Pacific County Emergency Management Director Stephanie Fritts and Deputy Director Denise Rowlett has raised awareness throughout the county. Aided by the focus and support brought to this important subject by the Pacific County Commissioners and County Sheriff John Didion, the citizens of Ilwaco will be better prepared for the next event. At the ceremony in the new Ilwaco Community Building, a recognition letter and TsunamiReady™ and StormReady® road signs were presented to city council officials, Gary Forner, Gini Chin, Will Greene, and Pacific County Emergency Management Director Stephanie Fritts. To be recognized as TsunamiReady™ and StormReady®, a community must: • Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; • Have more than one way to receive tsunami and severe weather warnings and forecasts to alert the public; • Create a system that monitors local weather conditions; • Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars; and • Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises. Resilience to disasters is everyone's responsibility. Educating yourself and your family on environmental hazards, maintaining a disaster supply kit, and having an emergency plan in place, are all proactive ways you can be better prepared. The TsunamiReady™ and StormReady® programs are part of NOAA National Weather Service's working partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers, the National Emergency Management Association, and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program. The TsunamiReady™ and StormReady® recognitions expire in three years, after which the city will go through a renewal process. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects. On the Web: TsunamiReady™ program: http://www.tsunamiready.noaa.gov StormReady® program: http://www.stormready.noaa.gov StormReady® and TsunamiReady™ are registered trademarks of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.