Heavy Precipitation Forecasted for Yakima Valley

Yakima, WA-
Heavy precipitation is forecast from today into the weekend for our area. The big questions will  be if it changes from snow to rain, how warm it will get, and whether rain will continue into Monday. The Pendleton Weather Office issued a hydrological outlook for possible small stream flooding in the Blue Mountains (Walla Walla area).

Though the NW River Forecast Center did not show much "river rise" in the forecast today, we recommend checking again as we get closer to the weekend.


Those living in flood prone areas should follow the weather reports, and keep an eye on the creek or river conditions local to their area.

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Links:

River Forecast Center, http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/ - also the “Discussion” link now includes maps with temperature and precipitation forecasts.

Pendleton NWS Office, http://newweb.wrh.noaa.gov/pdt/

Bureau of Reclamation Yakima Status, http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima/yakstats.txt


Long term forecast from the Pendleton NWS Office:
.LONG TERM...THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...THE MAIN FORECAST

CONCERN WITH THE EARLY PART OF THE EXTENDED IS THE HIGH SNOW LEVELS

AND THE HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL. A VERY MOIST SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO

MOVE THROUGH THE AREA ON THURSDAY. SNOW LEVELS WILL ALSO BE ON THE

RISE WITH MOST OF THE AREA RECEIVING RAIN WITH THIS SYSTEM.

PRECIPITATION TOTALS OF AROUND AN INCH ARE POSSIBLE ALONG THE

CASCADE CREST AND AROUND A HALF INCH OF ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION ON

THURSDAY FOR THE BLUE MOUNTAINS. WILL NEED TO MONITOR THE SITUATION

FOR RISES IN THE LOCAL RIVERS. THE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE OFF THE

WEST COAST WILL THEN BUILD NORTHWARD...PUSHING THE MOISTURE STREAM

NORTH INTO MAINLY WASHINGTON BY FRIDAY. THERE IS UNCERTAINTY HOWEVER

IN HOW FAR NORTH THE MOISTURE WILL BE PUSHED...THEREFORE HAVE LEFT A

CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION ACROSS PORTIONS OF OREGON WITH THE BETTER

CHANCE FOR THE NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS (UNDER UPSLOPE FLOW) AND IN

WASHINGTON WHERE THE BAND OF MOISTURE WILL BE LOCATED. BY FRIDAY

NIGHT...ANOTHER DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE THROUGH THE NORTHWESTERLY

FLOW...BRINGING A ROUND OF RAIN FOR THE ENTIRE REGION. SNOW LEVELS

WILL REMAIN 5000-6000 FEET INTO THE WEEKEND. PRECIPITATION WILL

REMAIN POSSIBLE ON SATURDAY...BUT THE NEXT DISTURBANCE WILL PUSH

THROUGH THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST SATURDAY NIGHT FOR AN INCREASED THREAT

OF RAIN AND HIGH ELEVATION RAIN AND SNOW. DMH



SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT...MODELS CONTINUE TO INDICATE WIDESPREAD

MOISTURE ACROSS THE INTERIOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST. AND ALTHOUGH IT IS

TOO SOON TO TELL...MODELS ARE BEGINNING TO INDICATE A FAVORABLE

PATTERN FOR DOWNSLOPE WINDS. SINCE WIND DRIVEN EVENTS DON`T USUALLY







HAVE HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF PRECIPITATION...THIS PRESENTS A

CHALLENGE FOR POPS. AS IT STANDS HAVE KEPT POPS IN THE LIKELY

CATEGORY FOR THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES AND CHANCE TO LIKELY

ALONG THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHEAST OREGON. THE LOWER ELEVATIONS HAVE

BEEN REDUCED 20 TO 30 POPS SINCE THAT IS THE AREA MOST LIKELY TO SEE

WIND AND LITTLE TO NO RAIN. RIGHT NOW THE BEST CHANCE FOR STRONG

WINDS LOOKS TO BE MONDAY AFTERNOON BUT THIS COULD CHANGE FROM DAY TO

DAY. HIGH TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO LOOK WELL ABOVE FREEZING FOR THE

EXTENDED AND MAY EVEN REACH THE LOWER 50S ACROSS THE FOOTHILLS AND

THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN...AS STRONG SOUTHERLY WIND KEEPS WARM AIR

ADVECTION OVER THE AREAS. WEBER

The Washington State Fusion Center


From time to time our office is asked, “what should I do if I see something that might jeopardize homeland security?”. If it is something that local law enforcement will not act upon, report it to the Washington State Fusion Center. Below is some more information:

The Washington State Fusion Center supports activities to detect, deter, and prevent terrorism. This is accomplished through information collection, integration, analysis, reporting, and dissemination of analytical reports and other information across Federal, State, and Local government agencies, public officials, and private sector critical infrastructure key resource partners.

If you see something, say something! Report suspicious activity immediately to local authorities by calling
9-1-1.The Washington State Fusion Center would like to receive reports of activity and incidents that are reasonably indicative of pre-operational planning related to terrorist activity. {Explanation of reporting categories}

Contact us directly via the Interactive Suspicious Activity Reporting Form {Form Click Here}, WSFC Intake Hotline: 1-877-843-9522, e-mail: intake@wsfc.wa.gov, or fax: 206-262-2014

With your help, we can stop a crime or a terrorist plot.

Submit a tip form: (click here)

 

Winter tips for the loss of power

 

With cold weather upon us, please keep these tips in mind:

 

§ Use alternative heat sources safely.

 

§ Do not burn anything inside without adequate ventilation.

 

§ Never use gas ovens, gas ranges, barbecues, hibachi, and most portable or propane heaters for indoor heating. These units burn up oxygen, create deadly carbon monoxide, and are a likely cause of fire.

 

§ Have firefighting materials on hand: dry powder, fire extinguisher, heavy tarp or blanket, and water.

 

§ Use portable generators only as independent sources of power.

 

§ Do not connect generators to your home’s main service panels.

 

§ Make sure generators are used where there is good ventilation.

 

§ Keep doors to refrigerators and freezers shut to conserve heat.

 

§ Use foods that can spoil rapidly first.

 

§ “If in doubt, throw it out”.

 

Lastly and most important, we ask that you please check on your neighbors to make sure they are being taken care of .

 

POSSIBLE HIGH WIND WARNING

(8:00 AM)-NOV.15 2010,Yakima,WA.

 

The National Weather Service Pendleton has issued a possible High Wind Warning for Yakima county. With winter fast approaching all community members should be prepared for the possibility of harsh weather. For more information on proper winter preparedness you can visit: http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_prepare_year.shtml

 

 

Effective: 2010-11-15

Description: High Wind Warning issued for Monday at 7:00 pm thru Tuesday at 10:00 am. for Yakima, Klickitat, Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia, and Kittitas.

JOIN MRC !

  The MRC is a partner program with Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security.  MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize licensed volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources. Types of licensed Volunteers Needed:

• Pharmacist • Physicians/PAs • Dental Health Providers • EMT/Paramedics • Veterinarians • Nurses/CNAs •

  (Once a member volunteers they will only be called upon during an emergency. Time commitments would consist of possibly of yearly meeting and “Just-in-Time” training before members are deployed.)

 

 

 

YAKIMA COUNTY MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS APPLICATION

 

Complete and email to kr.catlin@co.yakim.wa.us or mail by standard post (to MRC Coordinator, room 110, 128 North 2^nd street Yakima, WA 98901)

 

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

PERSONAL INFORMATION

 

Volunteer Name: ____________________________________________ Home Phone: ___________________________

 

Office Phone: _________________________Pager: ____________________ Cell Phone: _________________________ 

 

Address: ________________________________________________ City ____________________ Zip ______________

 

Date of Birth:                                                 Driver’s License Number:                                                  

 

Email Address:                                                                                                                                     

 

Affiliations? (School, agency, clinic):________________________________________________________________

 

EXPERIENCE

Current (Most Recent) Employer: ___________________________________ Supervisor: ________________________

Position: ________________________ Address __________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________

r  Full Time

r  Part Time

r  Retired

r  Other: ________________

If less than one year at current employment, please provide second employer information:

Employer: _______________________________________ Supervisor: ________________________________

Position: ________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________

r  Full Time

r  Part Time

r  Retired

r  Other: ________________

PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION: (mark or circle all that apply)

r  Administrative/Support Duties

r  Computer or Communications

r  Dentist

r  Emergency Medical Technician:   Basic         Intermediate        Paramedic

r  Environmental Health Specialist

r  Health Educator

r  Health Technician Type ____________________

r  Interpreter

r  Mental Health Practitioner      

r  Medical Assistant

r  Media/Communications

r  Nurse:  RN         LPN         Nurse Practitioner    Do you have prescriptive authority?   Yes         No                     Area of Specialty:__________________________

r  Nurse Assistant

r  Pharmacist

r  Phlebotomist

r  Physician:  Area of Specialty: ___________________________ Board Certified?        Yes          No

r  Physician Assistant

r  Veterinarian

Professional License Type/Number: _________________________________Expiration Date: ______________________

Professional License Type/Number: _________________________________Expiration Date: ______________________

Other Qualifying License(s) (commercial, equipment etc.)  __________________________________________________

Brief description of what you want your role to be in the YC MRC:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OTHER SKILLS

Are you CPR certified?               Yes     No

Are you first aid certified?                   Yes     No

Other  ____________________________________________________________________________________

Language Fluency:     q English          q Spanish   q Sign Language     q Other ______________________

Please list any other special disaster training, certification, or skills that you would like us to be aware of:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION AND ACTIVATION

Tier One ______ (Activation for Only large-scale events)  

Tier Two ______ (Pre-event training as well as the Tier One Activation)

Tier Three _____ (Would like to be considered for a leadership role as well as level Tier Two Activation)

Do you volunteer for another emergency organization?     Yes    No    If so, which is your priority? _________

 

RESPONSE JURISDICTION (Select the farthest distance you would be willing to respond)

 

 

Are you willing to deploy outside your local jurisdiction? ___Yes            ___No

___Within Yakima County                   ___ Within WA St.           ___Nationally

 

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

 

Emergency Contact Name: ______________________________________ Relationship: _________________________

 

Day Phone: _______________________ Evening Phone: _____________________ Cell Phone: ____________________

 

Applicants are advised that the Yakima County MRC intends to conduct a criminal background check.

Have you ever been convicted of a drug offense?                                                                                                                                                             q Yes                                                               q No

Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense?                                                                                                                                                      q Yes                                                               q No

Have you ever been convicted of a motor vehicle offense (other than speeding tickets)?                 q Yes                q No

Other than the above, are there any other convictions on your personal record?                                                             q Yes    q No

Details: ___________________________________________________________________

 

All of the information that I have supplied is correct to the best of my knowledge. I do hereby give the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management (YVOEM) or their designee permission to inquire into my background, references, driving record, present and previous employment, licenses, certifications and criminal history. I further give permission to the holder of any such records to release the same to the YVOEM or their designee. I hold the YVOEM or their designee harmless of any liability, whether civil or criminal, which may arise as a result of the release of the information about me. I also hold harmless any individual agency, business or corporation that provides information to the YVOEM or their designee.

I understand that I am a volunteer and will not be paid for any of my services.

 

_____________________________________________________  ______________________________________

SIGNATURE                                                                      DATE

For questions please contact Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management MRC Coordinator at (509)574-1908

Please send your completed application packet to:

Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management MRC Coordinator: 128 North 2nd Street, WA 98901

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Back ground Check form)

Yakima Valley Medical Reserve Corps Supplemental Information

For completion of background checks, please supply the following:

Personal References:            

Name:  ________________________ Contact Ph #: _____________________

Name:  ________________________ Contact Ph #: _____________________

Personal References:

Name:  ________________________ Contact Ph #: _____________________

Name:  ________________________ Contact Ph #: _____________________

Signature ___________________________________  Date ____________________

Yakima Valley Medical Reserve Corps

Background Check                                                            Effective Date: ______________

 

Policy

The Yakima Valley MRC will complete a background check on all applicants to the MRC Team.  Record check information is confidential.

Purpose

To comply with the WA Department for Public Health’s recommendation for criminal record checks on team members and to define guidelines that constitute denial of team membership.  Record checks protect the citizens in the community as well as team integrity.

Procedure

1. All applicants/potential volunteers shall be provided with a criminal background check request form for completion as part of the application process and return it to the MRC Coordinator.
2. The services of a potential volunteer shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for violations that may show on a criminal record check.
3. The following violations constitute grounds for denial of membership of applicants to the team.  The services of an applicant shall not be accepted if the criminal record check shows :
1. Registration as a sex offender
2. Conviction of a  felony
4. The following violations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as outlined below in #5.  The services of an applicant may not be accepted if the criminal record check shows:
1. Conviction of a misdemeanor in the past 5 years
2. Conviction of a criminal violation in the past 2 years
3. Conviction of DUI  in the past 5 years
4. Current EPO or DVO in place
5. Case-by-Case Review:  Evaluation will determine if past conduct is compatible with working as a MRC volunteer.  Consultation may include Yakima Valley MRC Coordinator, Yakima County Health Department Director, Citizen Corp Advisory Board, Emergency Management Director and the Yakima County Attorney. The volunteer shall be given the opportunity to provide evidence of mitigating circumstances prior to a decision being made concerning qualifications to serve. 

6.    Appeal:  Any volunteer whose services are rejected as a result of information received from the criminal record check may appeal such decision if the volunteer believes the decision was based on inaccurate information.

 

                                        

 

 

 

 

Training for Yakima Community Readiness on the 9/11 Anniversary

Training for Yakima Community Readiness on the 9/11 Anniversary

A FEW SEATS LEFT FOR THE CLASS!!:

* If another 9/ 11 event took place would most Americans be ready? September 10-12 citizens from around the Yakima Valley will be getting together to ensure they will be ready to help family and neighbors; no matter what the disaster might be. For one evening on Friday, and two days (Saturday / Sunday) the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management will be hosting a COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) training course. Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by Federal Emergency Management Agency, communities in 28 States and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training.

 

 As CERT members the participants will be taught how to respond to disasters in their neighborhoods, until trained emergency responders can arrive. Such skills as basic first aid, debris removal, and urban search and rescue will be taught. The class will run 6:30-8:23 on Friday the 10^th and then 8:00-5:00 on Saturday-Sunday. There is no cost for the class, but participants must bring their own leather gloves and leather work boots for the safety exercises. While many families take the class together, the course is suited for kids twelve or older.

 

Are You Ready? NEXT CLASS WILL START SEP. 10, 11&12 2010

Get involved in your community by joining Yakima County CERT:

 

 

Email us @ OEM@CO.YAKIMA.WA.US to get signed up today(include name, phone number and you will be contacted as the class date draws near).

 

 

Our Mission:

To educate citizens to be better prepared to take care of themselves, family, friends and neighbors in the event of a disaster, of any type, until trained emergency responders can arrive.  To establish Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) as a resource for first responders during disasters and emergencies and to perform projects that improve a community’s preparedness.

 

 

KEEPING READY

 

 

 

KEEPING READY

 

(08/03/10)SUNNYSIDE,WA- Ever wondered what would happen if the Nuclear Power Plant at Hanford had a catastrophic release  of radiological material ?  

 

To prepare for this scenario the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management presented a challenging table top exercise for  jurisdictions  and agencies within the 50 mile Ingestion Zone.   In Yakima County this area includes Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Zillah, and the unincorporated areas.  The cities of Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Sunnyside, as well as Yakima County all had employees participating. Agency representatives from the Washington State Department of Agricultural, Washington State Department of Emergency Management, Educational Service District 105 and the Yakima County Health District participated as well.

 

The exercise presented a low stress learning environment that provided instruction and allowed participants to look at their individual jurisdictional issues in the event of a nuclear material release.