12/10/15 Flooding Update

 

 

The Yakima River has seen a significant increase in water and debris flow, due to runoff from tributary creeks and the release of water from Bumping Lake dam by the Bureau of Reclamation. Currently, the Naches River (that feeds the Yakima River), has dropped. The County EOC is semi-activated providing Area Emergency Operations Center monitoring/ common operation picture support, and Joint Information System (JIS) to local county departments engaged in operations.

There have been numerous reports of flooding caused damage, particularly in the area of the Nile community. Nile/Naches area shelters have been closed. The road leading up the bridge at Rattlesnake Creek has been damaged, and that bridge is not usable by Nile residents. Access to the Nile community is
only via the north or south entrances onto highway 410.

The excess water from yesterday will move down through the Yakima River today, coming up to moderate flood stage today and Thursday. (12ft-Parker).

Residents Yakima River, and/or near floodplains are advised to be aware of changing conditions, and make preparations, if appropriate, to evacuate persons and
livestock.

Closed Roads include:
Nile Road at Rattlesnake Creek Bridge--Closed
Hwy 12/ White Pass--Closed
Highway 410@Whistlin Jacks Lodge--Closed

Residents near the Yakima River, and/or near floodplains are advised to be aware of changing conditions, and make preparations, if appropriate, to evacuate persons and livestock. If you are immediately threatened, and need emergency rescue, call 911. Do not attempt to drive through standing water of unknown depth, especially if water is running over the roadway. Be aware of the unusually high amount of debris in the river.

 

 

What is going on with Flooding?

Flood waters have dropped in the Naches area at this point. Lower Valley residents should be aware that the volume of water in the Yakima River will rise going into tomorrow, and that there will be an increased amount of debris floating in the river.

The Naches River has seen a significant increase in water and debris flow, due to runoff from tributary creeks and the release of water from Bumping Lake dam by the Bureau of Reclamation. As a result of the weather system last night, the Naches River will continue to rise over the next 24 hours. Currently, the Naches is at 20.19ft (moderate flood stage), and is expected to go up to 20.66ft. (Major flood stage is 21.00). The most recent high level of this river is 20.40 in 2011. The County EOC is semi-activated providing Area Emergency Operations Center monitoring/ common operation picture support, and JIS to ICP being commanded by Nile Valley Fire Department.

There have been numerous reports of flooding caused damage, particularly in the area of the Nile community. Approximately 10-20 residents in the Nile area were advised to evacuate by the local Fire department. The road leading up the bridge at Rattlesnake Creek has been damaged, and that bridge is not usable by Nile residents. Access to the Nile community is only via the north or south entrances onto highway 410.

 

Residents near the Naches and Yakima Rivers, and/or near floodplains are advised to be aware of changing conditions, and make preparations, if appropriate, to evacuate persons and livestock.

 

 

 

 

Waters Rising NAches

Water keeps rising in the Nile Valley and will continue to do so for the next 6 hours. The Rattlesnake Bridge is closed. Bumping River road is closed.

Sand bags and sand are located at the Cliffdale Fire Station for the public. The Nile Community Church is open till 3PM today if displaced residents need a place to wait.

At 3PM the Presbyterian Church in Naches will open and a Red Cross Shelter will be set up for those needing a place to spend the night.

Flooding will occur on the Yakima River at Parker later today.

County EOC at Level 2 Activation for Flooding

Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management is at a phase 2 activation at this time due to flooding issues around the County. At a phase two activation the Situation Unit and our Joint Information System personnel are called out.

Phase two activation helps the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) establish the common operation picture of what is occurring, and establish liaisons with first responders to establish what logistical support might be needed in the future.

Please follow our social media sites for updates at

https://www.facebook.com/Yakima-Valley-Office-of-Emergency-Management-888145551276287/?pnref=story

https://twitter.com/YakimaOEM

Also Please:

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or television stations for information/ updates.

• Be aware of streams, drainage canals and areas known to flood suddenly.

• People living in low-lying areas are encourage starting moving property away from the river bank and keep an eye on river levels.

• Livestock owners should also make sure higher ground is available for their animals, if living in flood prone areas.

• Secure your home. If time permits, secure items located outside the house. Ensure your is full car of fuel, and ready. Motorists are reminded not to drive through flood waters, but instead to “turn around, don’t drown".

• Stay away from flood waters.

 

Flood Warning for the Naches River near Naches

 

NWS Pendleton has issued a Flood Warning for the Naches River near Naches from tonight until Thursday morning … or until the warning is cancelled. Minor flooding is forecasted.

 

Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management strongly urges residents to:

 

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or television stations for information/ updates.

• Be aware of streams, drainage canals and areas known to flood suddenly.

• People living in low-lying areas are encourage starting moving property away from the river bank and keep an eye on river levels.

• Livestock owners should also make sure higher ground is available for their animals, if living in flood prone areas.

• Secure your home. If time permits, secure items located outside the house. Ensure your is full car of fuel, and ready. Motorists are reminded not to drive through flood waters, but instead to “turn around, don’t drown".

• Stay away from flood waters.

• We cannot say this enough--Do NOT attempt to drive over flooded roads. The depth of water is not always obvious. The road bed may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped.

 

Flood Warning for the Naches River near Naches

NWS Pendleton has issued a Flood Warning for the Naches River near Naches from tonight until Thursday morning … or until the warning is cancelled. Minor flooding is forecasted.

 

Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management strongly urges residents to:

 

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or television stations for information/ updates.

• Be aware of streams, drainage canals and areas known to flood suddenly.

• People living in low-lying areas are encourage starting moving property away from the river bank and keep an eye on river levels.

• Livestock owners should also make sure higher ground is available for their animals, if living in flood prone areas.

• Secure your home. If time permits, secure items located outside the house. Ensure your is full car of fuel, and ready. Motorists are reminded not to drive through flood waters, but instead to “turn around, don’t drown".

• Stay away from flood waters.

• We cannot say this enough--Do NOT attempt to drive over flooded roads. The depth of water is not always obvious. The road bed may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped.

 

Wet Weather this Week

 

Warming temperatures and significant rain will cause rivers and streams to rise through Wednesday (see Hydrologic Outlook from Pendleton NWS below). Steady rain is also forecasted for the urban areas of the county so locations with poor drainage may have problems with ponding.

 

The Yakima River at Easton and Umtanum are forecast to crest over bankfull on about Wednesday. The Yakima River at Parker is forecast to crest just below bankfull very late on Wednesday and about half a foot below flood stage at Kiona on Thursday.

 

The Naches River is forecast to crest about a foot below flood stage at Cliffdel and just below flood stage at Naches on Wednesday.

 

*Note – use the Pendleton’s hydro web page, http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pdt, or the Bureau’s hydromet site, http://www.usbr.gov/pn-bin/yak/rtindex.pl?cfg=flows. Click on the gage or cfs number for a graph.

11AM 12-7-15 Hwy 12 Rockslide

This is the latest about Highway 12 from the Washington Department of Transportation.

US 12 from Milepost 151 to milepost 183, seven miles west of Naches. US 12 is closed to through traffic from milepost 151 near the summit to milepost 183 near Oak Creek feeding station due to a rock slide that occurred blocking the highway. WSDOT and Sheriff deputy on scene working to clear the roadway. Engineering staff is on the way to scene to assess the hillside.

Due to the nature of the closure an estimated end time cannot be determined until the engineering staff assess the hillside. Updates will be provided as information is available.

10:30AM 12/7/15-White Pass Rockslide Situation Report

Here is the situation report for the White Rock Slide:

RESTRICTIONS EASTBOUND:
Pass Closed

RESTRICTIONS WESTBOUND:
Pass Closed

CONDITIONS:
US 12 is closed to through traffic from milepost 151 near the summit to milepost 183 near Oak Creek feeding station due to a rock slide that occurred blocking the highway. WSDOT and Sheriff deputy on scene working to clear the roadway. Engineering staff is on the way to scene to assess the hillside.

WEATHER:
Snowing

TEMPERATURE:

33ºF / 0ºC
ELEVATION:

4500 ft / 1372 m

 

Ready for Winter Weather?

Ready for Winter 2015/16?  Here are some links to give you preparedness tips below:

 

·   WA State Emergency Management Division: Preparedness - http://mil.wa.gov/preparedness

·   WA State Department of Transportation: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ - Traveler Information & Newsroom

·   National Weather Service: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/ - Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Pendleton

·   Ready.Gov: http://www.ready.gov/ - Get Ready for Winter, Follow Ready on Social Media, Ready Publications

·   FEMA.Gov: https://www.fema.gov/ - El Niño and Severe Weather, Download the FEMA App

·   America’s PrepareAthon!: http://community.fema.gov/ - A grassroots campaign for action to increase community preparedness and resilience. Join others around the country to practice your preparedness!

·   American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/ - Stay informed on disaster alerts, preparedness tips, and ways to get involved.

·   2-1-1: http://win211.org/ - Washington Information Network 211; Get Connected.  Get Answers.  - is a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need.

 

2015 NHMP Update

Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management has finished the update of the  2015 Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. Adoption of this plan is necessary to qualify the City of Union Gap for Federal and State funding for hazard mitigation. The previous version of the plan was adopted by only Yakima County .The plan has been updated to reflect progress on mitigation measures made since the original version of the plan, and to address additional flood hazard areas that include the jurisdictions within Yakima County. This plan update will be approved by FEMA pending adoption of the jurisdictions covered.

 

Please contact KR Catlin if you have any questions or concerns regarding the resolution or plan, at oem@co.yakima.wa.us . This plan is not a regulatory plan, but one that makes the community eligible for federal funds after certain disasters.

Flood Advisory Update

Ft. Simcoe Road and Hawk Road are now open to traffic.

Roads still closed are W. Satus Rd., and Harrah Road between Marion Drain Road and Pumphouse Rd.

Flood Advisory

Due to heavy rain some small streams in Yakima County are experiencing flooding causing water and debris to cover roads along Ahtanum Creek, the Wenas Valley and in Lower Valley.   W. Satus Road is closed between Spencer Rd. and SR 22, Marion Drain Rd. closed between Shaker Church Rd. and Pom Pom Rd., water is reported over roadway at Fink and Longmire Rds., Fort Simcoe Rd is closed from park to Hawk Rd., and at Lynch Ln.  Hawk Road is also closed between W. White Swan and Ft. Simcoe Rd., impassable by all vehicles.   Ahtanum Creek is flowing 1 ft. over roadway and close to flowing over road at Emma Ln.  The situation is being closely monitored.  More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

White Swan Fire 2012 (post#3)

(Yakima, WASH-4:13 PM)

The Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management has received word from dispatch that the fire is now contained.

More information will be provided as it is comes in.


                                                                       ###

White Swan Fire 2012 (post#2)

(Yakima, WASH-3:15 PM)

   Lower Valley Fire Captain Joel Byam says if the fire jumps one road, homes will be threatened. He says at least 30 trucks are on the scene of the fire with 5 crews from the Upper Valley and 7 from the Lower Valley. Winds were reported at 24 mph and gusts of up 41 at noon today. A 150 acres are burning in White Swan in the area of Wesley Rd. and W. White Swan Rd. Officials say two structures have burned and it is not contained.

School officials at White Swan High School have been tracking the fire, and have canceled after school sports practices and sent all staff home from their White Swan campus, said Henry Strom, superintendent for the Mt. Adams School District.The school already was scheduled for an early release at 1 p.m. Monday, and bus routes for students have not been changed for the fire, Strom said.


  More information will be posted as we have it.

                                                                 ###

Whiteswan Fire 2012

Yakima, WASH (12:45)

Just past noon the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management was notified of a large fire on in the Whiteswan area. Whiteswan in an unincorporated city on the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation Reservation.

We will post more information has we have it. The points of contact for the Yakama Nation Office of Emergency Management are:

Arlen Moses-Director-(509) 865-5121 ext. 6036

 HollyAnna Pinkham-Emergency Management Planner (509) 865-5121 ext. 4200

            ###

Damage from the January16-23 Weather Event

(Yakima, WASH-)
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has two loan programs which may assist victims of disasters. These are the Physical Disaster Loan Program, which basically requires that 25 residences and/or businesses suffer uninsured loss in excess of 40%; and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which can be requested if 5 or more businesses suffer economic harm from the event, even if they’re physically undamaged. (The latter program is not very well known).


I’m attaching a short survey form for use in supporting an EIDL request. If you believe your businesses in Yakima County was affected by the January 16-23 weather event, please report the impact.                                                           ###
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED DISASTER ECONOMIC INJURY WORKSHEET FOR BUSINESSAccurate responses to the questions below will assist in evaluating a request for a declaration of
disaster.(Please complete and email to : oem@co.yakima.wa.us or post by standard mail to :Y.V.O.E.M ,128 N. 2nd street, suite 110 Yakima, WA 98901)
1. Name of Business Owner:

Name of Property Owner:

Business/Property Address:

Mailing Address:

Telephone Numbers: Business: (    )________                   Home: (      )____________

2. Estimated Adverse Economic Impact:

What period of time was your business affected by the disaster? to

MO/YR MO/YR

Estimate approximate dollar amount of gross sales/receipts for:


Disaster Period $

Corresponding Period Previous Year $

3. Business interruption insurance received or anticipated: $

4. Brief explanation of what adverse economic effects the disaster had on your business:


5. How many persons did you employ prior to the disaster?


How many persons did you employ after the disaster?


If your business also suffered a physical loss, answer the following questions:
6. Estimated dollar loss to:

Real Property (building), if owned: $

Personal property (machinery and equipment,

Furniture and fixtures, inventory, leasehold improvements, etc): $

7. Insurance recovery received or anticipated for physical damage: $

Signature of Business Owner/Representative Date_____________________________

Winter Readiness Reminders



 Yakima, WASH- The State Enhanced 911 Office and local telephone carriers remind citizens in the affected area:



 To stay off the telephone unless you have a critical need to make a telephone call. Remember a FAX or a computer also uses a telephone line and its use may affect your ability to get immediate help in a life-threatening emergency.


 DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless you need an emergency response from police, fire or emergency medical personnel. DO NOT call 9-1-1 unnecessarily. 9-1-1 lines must be kept open for people who have a true emergency.


 If you experience other types of problems not related to these emergency services, call the appropriate telephone number for those services.


 If you pick up your telephone to make a call and do not hear dial tone, DO NOT HANG UP. Simply wait a few seconds, and you will get dial tone and be able to make your call.


Residents in the state should consider the following preparedness actions:


 Listen to radio or television stations for local information and weather reports.


 Do not use charcoal or gas grills to cook or heat indoors.


 If you must travel, assemble an emergency auto kit, stay on main roads, follow traffic instructions.


 If the power goes out, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep food frozen up to two days.


 Provide assistance to your neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled.
 
   Winter weather could mean power outages and increased chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. That kind of poisoning is the result of poorly ventilated generators or using charcoal or gas grills to cook or heat indoors. For more information about how to prepare for winter storm power outages and avoid carbon monoxide hazards, check these web links from Washington Emergency Management Division:



• http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_infocus_winter2011.shtml


• http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_infocus_winter2011.shtml#COSafety


• http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_infocus_winter2011.shtml#PowerLines


• http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_infocus_winter2011.shtml#FoodSafe



Prevenga el Envenenamiento de Monóxido de Carbón
¿Qué es el monóxido de carbono?

In Spanish /Espaniol

Unwanted Guests

Northwest Farm and Ranch Report / KayDee Gilkey

January 05, 12

The Northwest’s high quality soil which makes our agriculture so productive is also conducive to cultivating higher quality, and therefore more expensive, marijuana. Drug trafficking organizations have now found it easier, less dangerous, and more profitable to grow closer to their market in the Pacific Northwest, especially in rural areas.


CR Katlin, Homeland Security Planner for the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management, shares what the challenges are monitoring large geographic area owned by multiple jurisdictions.

   "Eastern Washington offers the narco-criminals a vast rural region of private agricultural, tribal, state and federal lands. These mostly un-patrolled sanctuaries are the home of undermanned/ underfunded county and tribal law enforcement agencies. With in Yakima County alone there are 15 municipal jurisdiction, eight counties on the border, one sovereign nation, 806 square miles owned by Feds and 363 square miles owned by state. All this makes for an abundance of jurisdictionally hazy border lands to set up grow operations.”

Katlin says a property owner’s discovery of any unfamiliar fertilizer, garden hoses,camouflage netting, "Keep Out" signs, guard dogs or unusual structures can indicate the presence of a marijuana grow operation. He urges property owners NOT to investigate any suspicious activity but rather to report it immediately to local or state law authorities.



Click on the play button to listen to report.

Download Report: 01-05-12NWFR Unwelcome GuestsWEB.mp3

Is Your Farm or Ranch Disaster-Ready?

Northwest Farm and Ranch Report/Date: January 03, 12
by KayDee Gilkey
-------------------
No one can predict when disaster or an emergency will strike. However, farmers, ranchers and other business owners can be prepared for possible disruptions by creating a business continuity plan.


KR Catlin, Homeland Security Planner for the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management, explains some of the pieces of a standard Continuity of Operations Plan (or COOP).

"The things to look for in your COOP plan is to train family or employees on a regular basis about what to do during a disaster or emergency. Acquiring and maintaining needed safety equipment and emergency supplies that you would need for your family or to keep your operation going. Showing your family or employees how to be prepared at work and at home so they are better equipped to help the farm respond and recover from an emergency or disaster. You need to Identify the key assets, people, or resources that if lost would shut your operation down; and then plan on how to eliminate some of that risk if they are lost. Also you need to conduct and assess regular evaluations by just sitting down with family/ employees and asking, 'what would you do?' to determine the readiness of your farm or facilities."

Catlin stresses it is important to consider your region and what type of disasters would most likely impact your business and then plan accordingly. A free online resource www.readyrating.org is designed to help interested businesses develop COOP plans.

Click on the play button to listen to report.
Download Report: NWFR01-03-12COOPweb.mp3