HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK

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Hazardous Weather Outlook

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PENDLETON OR


255 PM PST WED DEC 30 2009



UPDATED FOR WINTER WEATHER TOMORROW



ORZ041>044-049-050-501>506-WAZ024-026>030-501-502-311415-

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-

255 PM PST WED DEC 30 2009



THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST OREGON

AS WELL AS SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON.



.DAY ONE...TONIGHT



AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY TODAY AND TONIGHT

YAKIMA VALLEY



VERY LIGHT OR CALM SURFACE WINDS AND A STRONG SURFACE BASED

TEMPERATURE INVERSION WILL MAINTAIN A STABLE AIRMASS AND STAGNANT

AIR CONDITIONS...WHICH WILL TRAP AIR POLLUTANTS IN THE YAKIMA

VALLEY. AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE YAKIMA

VALLEY UNTIL 10 AM PST THURSDAY MORNING. PLEASE REFER TO PDXNPWPDT

FOR DETAILS.



.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY



WINTER MIX THURSDAY

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 THURSDAY

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 THURSDAY

FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF WASHINGTON, FOOTHILLS OF

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON



WINTER MIX FRIDAY

EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL CASCADES OF WASHINGTON, EAST SLOPES

OF THE SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON



SNOW FRIDAY

NORTHWEST BLUE MOUNTAINS, NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON,

SOUTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON



A STRONG PACIFIC WEATHER SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION THURSDAY

MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT INTO NEW YEARS DAY. THIS

SYSTEM WILL BRING WARMER AIR WITH IT...RESULTING IN A WINTRY MIX OF

PRECIPITATION. THE FROZEN OR FREEZING PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE OVER

TO ALL RAIN IN LOWER ELEVATIONS BY EARLY NEW YEARS DAY. WINTER

STORM WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE EAST SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN

WASHINGTON CASCADES...THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE...NORTH CENTRAL

OREGON...CENTRAL OREGON...LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN...YAKIMA VALLEY...AND

KITTITAS VALLEY. HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WITH SOME ICE

ACCUMULATIONS ARE LIKELY THESE AREAS. THE HEAVIEST ICE ACCUMULATION

WILL BE IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE WITH ONE QUARTER TO ONE HALF

INCH POSSIBLE. IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS FREEZING RAIN

WITH ICE ACCUMULATION LESS THAN ONE QUARTER INCH IS EXPECTED. OTHER

AREAS WILL RECEIVE ADVISORY SNOW AMOUNTS. PRECIPITATION WILL

DECREASE TO SHOWERS IN MOST AREAS BY 10 PM THURSDAY. TERRAIN EFFECTS

WILL KEEP LIKELY SNOW INTO FRIDAY IN THE BLUES AND EAST SLOPES OF

THE WASHINGTON CASCADES. PLEASE REFER TO PDXWSWPDT FOR MORE DETAILS.



AN ACTIVE WET BUT WARMER WEATHER PATTERN WILL THEN PERSIST THROUGH

THE REST OF THE WEEKEND INTO NEXT WEEK WITH ONE PACIFIC WEATHER

SYSTEM AFTER ANOTHER CROSSING THE REGION THROUGH A WEAK RIDGING

PATTERN.



.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...



SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL BE LIKELY.



WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER

CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.



GRAPHICAL FORECASTS OF WEATHER HAZARDS OUT TO SEVEN DAYS

ARE DISPLAYED ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB AT:



WWW.WRH.NOAA.GOV/PDT/CURRENTHAZARDS/HWO.HTML

Hwy 410 Chinook Pass Landslide Situational Update and Report

Hwy 410 Chinook Pass Landslide Situational Update and Report

Meeting Summary

1. Potential Flood Issues;

Terry Keenhan with the Yakima Public Services Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) reported the new channel was designed to handle a 100 year flood and he anticipates it will. They expect to see some changes in the channel as the river flow works on new channel. The group discussed how the river would be monitored. Terry advised anyone wishing to monitor the river should check the Cliffdel Gage on the National Weather Service
 website http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?CLFW1UH
 
The FCZD will be monitoring the gage as will others throughout the winter. The FCZD will also be monitoring the new channel watching for changes or potential problems.

The flood Stage for the Naches River, at Cliffdel, after being adjusted down for the reduced channel capacity during the event and construction has been returned to pre landslide levels.

A question was asked if there were going to be any impacts on the upstream or downstream river channel. Upstream there are no changes expected but it will be monitored. Downstream however significant river structures were installed to protect the area of the Woodshed Restaurant, the Nile Loop Road Bridge, and residents down river. Some changes will take place but nothing significant is expected. Don Whitehouse advised after spending a significant amount of time in the area he was impressed with the Counties channel design and how it moved the river away from the highway and other structures. Don also reported some significant boulders were removed from under the Nile Loop Rd Bridge that should improve high water flows moving through the area.

As far as the monitoring of the river on a regular basis the group had consensus that we would return to normal operations. In other words there would be no specific monitoring of river flow in the new channel other than those planned by the FCZD. We would monitor gages and receive reports as we would for any other portion of the river systems in the valley. There was a comment that normally if we get into a flood fight the Corps of Engineers would be available to assist and that would be the case here as well.

There was one caveat; no one can fully predict what Mother Nature will do! Being prepared is still prudent in this event.

2. Landslide Safety

Isabella Sarikhan a Geologist with the Department of Natural Resources provided a brief overview of the slide and their studies so far. There are still a lot of unknowns. She reported they were not sure if all of the energy in the slide had been expended or if it had stopped moving. She indicated the slide could be unstable for quite some time meaning potentially years. Isabella advised one of the WSDOT drill holes indicated movement so they were not sure yet.

Don Whitehouse briefed the group on the drilling operation. There are 24 drill holes planned with 16 – 17 complete. The movement Isabella talked about was in drill hole #15 that is about 200 feet deep. The movement observed was about an inch. The radar monitoring the slide did not detect any movement so no one is sure what is happening yet. This was a very deep slide being deeper than originally thought. The drill holes on the upper portions of the slide are about 500 feet deep and on the lower end 300 feet. The drilling is anticipated to be complete in the 2nd week of January. Once complete the holes will be checked weekly for movement. If none is detected the monitoring will be bi-weekly then monthly and so on. If there is movement detected the monitoring will again be more often.

The ground radar installed shortly after the slide occurred has not detected any movement other than some minor rock falls at the upper scarp. The WSDOT intends to keep the radar in place until their work is completed on the slide for safety of their crews. Once the work is complete they intend to remove the radar. Last month the bill for the radar was $83,000 so this is not a cheap piece of equipment.

Because of the depth of this slide there does not appear to be a mechanical fix to stabilize it. A is or is not decision is needed before a decision on a permanent fix can be made.

A question was asked about blasting the remaining portions of the slide to stabilize the area. This was reported as a rumor that has been circulating in the valley. The answer given was there will be no blasting for many reasons.

3. Sightseers

It was discussed that it would be difficult to keep everyone out of the area because of its size and terrain features. There was very little concern of the slide moving and causing issues with people. There was concern for safety of those going to the area because the terrain is rugged and now there is snow. Private property was discussed and Frank Freshwater said he would contact the owner and help with their issues. The public message we should be putting out is don’t go there. Especially near the scarp at the top where there is continual rock fall and many unknowns.

There are safety messages and signs in access areas. The signs provide a clear message don’t go there. There is private property in the area and if there are people intending to go they should have permission.

The conversation went into possibilities of another event. Isabella, DNR Geologist, advised there was little probability of another major slide in the near future. However, energy will more than likely build up and there will be another slide as there has been in the past. This may take several decades though.

4. Temporary Hwy 410 Detour Route

Don Whitehouse advised their work on the Temporary Detour is complete for this winter. In the spring there will be some need for additional signage, stripping, and barricades to accommodate the summer traffic with Chinook Pass open.

A question was asked about additional white markers on the Nile Loop Road. Don advised the road is built to state standards and did not think there was going to be any more. If this was a county road there would be no markers at all was reported.

5. Permanent Hwy 410 Update

WSDOT anticipates a geotechnical report sometime in early summer. This will determine the options available to install a permanent fix. The options as they are known now are 1. Build up the area around the toe to facilitate the new road. 2. Go over the top of the slide building up the approaches and not excavating the slide itself. 3. Cross the river with a new bridge follow the far valley floor and build another new bridge to get back across the river. The most desirable is #1 because it would be the easiest and would cost less. The least desirable is #3 because it is complicated and expensive. Whatever the decision will be it will be a long process because of the required environmental review and request for funding. If all goes well, and if all goes well, a year from now contracts will be issued for the road around the slide with anticipated construction year of 2011.

6. Other issues

Because of the desire to keep the affected residents informed and answer their questions a public meeting at the Nile Valley Church was set for the 2nd Thursday January 14th at 1800 hrs.

The group discussed how fortunate we all were in this event. Things turned out very well. Change the scenario and have, what history tells us was coming, a high water event or flood and what happened in the Nile Valley would change significantly.

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine Availability

For Immediate Release Contact:


Jessica Brown, PIO, 509-249-6516

Marisol Oviedo, PIO (habla español)

509-249-6513

Date: December 10, 2009

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine Availability Expanding to the GeneralPublic in Yakima County Starting  Monday December 14th

         The Yakima Health District (YHD) has advised its H1N1 vaccine providers that they may begin

administering vaccine to the general public starting Monday, December 14th, 2009. The decision

to expand availability is a result of more H1N1 vaccine coming into our community along with

waning demand among residents who originally qualified to receive the vaccine. Since the H1N1

vaccine situation varies from county to county, expansion decisions are being made by officials

within each local health jurisdiction individually. Therefore, vaccine availability may vary from

county to county during this transition phase.

While the overall number of H1N1 cases has declined dramatically from levels seen in the fall,

health officials in Yakima County are still seeing severe cases requiring hospitalization, as well

as deaths from the illness. Residents who fall into one of the original CDC target groups

(pregnant women, healthcare workers, emergency medical responders with direct patient contact,

household contacts and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old, all persons aged 6 months

through 24 years old, and persons 25 through 64 years old with underlying health conditions) are

still strongly encouraged to receive an H1N1 vaccination if they have not already.

As of December 10th, Yakima County has been allocated 61,920 doses of H1N1 influenza

vaccine. The vaccine has been distributed through approximately 90 sites throughout the county

including doctor’s offices, community health centers, and pharmacies. Each vaccine provider

determines the best method of providing H1N1 vaccine at their site. While some sites may begin

offering vaccine to the general public on Monday, others may reserve vaccine for high risk

patients within their practices who have yet to receive it.

YHD recommends that residents contact their regular healthcare provider to determine if they are

offering H1N1 vaccine. For residents who cannot access H1N1 vaccine through their regular

healthcare provider, a list of locations offering vaccine to the general public is available on the

YHD website (www.yakimapublichealth.org). Information is also available on YHD’s H1N1

information lines (249-6533 or 249-6511 for Spanish).

                                                                                       ###

2009-2010 Influenza (H1N1) Season Update

2009-2010 Influenza Season Week 46 ending November 21, 2009

Yakima, WASH-


All data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.

Synopsis:

During week 46 (November 15-21, 2009), influenza activity continued to decrease in the U.S.

• 1,880 (20.5%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.

• Over 99% of all subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses.

• The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was above the epidemic threshold for the eighth consecutive week.

• Thirty-five influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. Twenty-seven of these deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, seven were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined, and one was associated with a seasonal influenza A (H1) virus infection that occurred in March.

• The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 4.3% which is above the national baseline of 2.3%. All 10 regions reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels.

• Thirty-two states reported geographically widespread influenza activity, Puerto Rico and 17 states reported regional influenza activity, the District of Columbia and one state reported local influenza activity, and Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands reported sporadic influenza activity.


Quick Facts for the Public on Antiviral Treatments for 2009 H1N1

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Here are a few questions to consider asking your health care provider about flu antivirals

• Do I need antiviral treatment if I have flu symptoms?

• When should I call back if I don’t feel better?

• What do I do if my child is prescribed oseltamivir and can’t swallow capsules? Click here for instructions on how to open capsules and mix the medicine with liquids.

Treatment Is Important for High Risk Groups

People in high risk groups should talk to their health care provider as soon as possible if they think they may have the flu because they have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications than other persons. Flu antiviral drugs can make you feel better, shorten the time you are sick, and prevent serious flu complications, especially if treatment is begun within 2 days of getting sick. Flu antiviral drugs must be prescribed by a physician.

Don’t Delay Treatment

If your doctor prescribed Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) or Relenza® (zanamivir) for you, don’t delay filling the prescription, and start taking the medication as soon as you get it. This way you will get the most benefit. It’s very important that antiviral drugs be started as soon as possible for the flu, ideally within 2 days of getting sick.

Don’t Confuse Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) with Theraflu®

Tamiflu® is the brand name and oseltamivir is the generic name of a prescription antiviral drug used to treat the flu and should not be confused with Theraflu®, which is an over-the-counter medication. Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from your health care provider.

Side Effects of Flu Antiviral Drugs

The most common side effects of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) are nausea and vomiting, which can also be symptoms of the flu. Nausea and vomiting can be minimized by taking the medication with food. The most common side effects of zanamivir (Relenza®) are dizziness, sinusitis, runny or stuffy nose, cough, diarrhea, nausea, or headache, also symptoms that can be due to the flu. Zanamivir may also cause wheezing and trouble breathing in people with lung disease; therefore, persons with a history of asthma or another lung disease should not be prescribed zanamivir.

Treatment May Be Needed Even if Test Results are Negative

Your health care provider may diagnose you with flu based on your symptoms and their clinical judgment or they may choose to use an influenza diagnostic test. Health care providers can use rapid flu tests (15 minutes or less) to test a specimen from your nose or throat in their offices. Unfortunately, these tests are less than perfect in telling who really has the flu. Therefore, you could still have the flu, even though your rapid flu test result is negative. Health care providers may prescribe antivirals if they suspect flu, even if the rapid flu test is negative.

More Information

• What To Do If You Get Sick: 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu
 http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

• 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu: What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/antivirals/geninfo.htm

• Influenza Diagnostic Testing During the 2009-2010 Flu Season http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/diagnostic_testing_public_qa.htm