What Is That Giant Bright Ball In The Sky?

With local temperatures reaching almost 80 degrees by the end of the week soggy residents of the Pacific  Northwest will gravitate towards the warm glow of the long awaited spring sun.  Even though the weather this winter has been unseasonably mild the first 80 degree day is something to celebrate.

As a lifelong Pacific Northwestern-er I have endured many "web foot" jokes and inquires on how I could enjoy living in such a grey and dreary place.  It is no accident that the TV show Grim chose Portland as it's backdrop, /grim/ adjective: forbidding or uninviting.  If you were to visit this region on a random day in late November you may wonder what all of the hype is about.  You would most likely be met by a constant drizzle, aka light rain and cool temperatures.  If you are planning to visit the area within the next week you will understand why we welcome the spring sun so enthusiastically.

I don't want to rain on your parade, but as an Emergency Manager it is my responsibility to say "Have fun in the sun, but..."  As you rush out the door take precautions to protect yourselves from some of the hazards often associated with warm spring weather.  I'm not telling you not to go enjoy the sun, but just take a monument to ensure you do it safely.

Keep the Cars Cool

Every year we warn about not leaving children and/or pets in cars without proper ventilation.  With temperatures at 83 degrees, even the windows rolled down 2 inches, the temperature inside the car can reach 109 degrees in only 15 minutes.  Your car literally becomes an oven where serious injury and death can occur within minutes.  Please plan your day in advance to avoid leaving pets and children in hot cars.

Warning, The Water You Are About to Enjoy Is Cold

Every spring there are news stories about accidents on the water.  Though there are numerous causes of these accidents most could have been preventable.  This weekend swimmers and boaters will flock to the watering holes throughout the region.  Some general reminders about water safety include, but are not limited to:

• Always wear a personal flotation device
• Test water temperature before taking the "leap of faith"
• Closely monitor children, form a "buddy system"
• Drink alcoholic beverages responsibly
• Beware of rocks just below the water's surface
• Apply ample sunscreen often

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend.  Despite my warnings of some key isolated situations spring is a glorious time of year in the region.   I am hoping that we don't end the weekend with news stories about sad accidents in the sun.   Take the time to plan ahead to help ensure everyone has a great time in the sun, and save a spot for me!

Take precautions during upcoming heat wave

Please enjoy these tips from our good partners at Clark County Public Health. 

With an extended period of heat and humidity predicted for our region, health officials are advising residents to take steps to protect themselves from the heat.

“Heat-related problems are preventable,“ said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer. “We are encouraging people to avoid or limit physical activity outdoors, take shelter in air-conditioned buildings, and drink plenty of fluids. Elderly people and the very young are especially vulnerable during periods of intense or prolonged heat.”

Residents are encouraged to observe the following tips to help prevent heat-related problems: 

§   Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. If your doctor limits the amount of fluid you drink, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot. 

§   Limit intake of drinks with caffeine, alcohol, or lots of sugar; these can cause you to lose more body fluid.

§   Stay indoors, in an air-conditioned location if possible. If your home is not air-conditioned, go to the shopping mall or public library for a few hours. This can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.  

§   NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially young children. This applies to pets as well.

§   Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature reaches the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. 

§   Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

 

If you must be out in the heat: 

§   Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. 

§   Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, avoid the midday hours and drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.  A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. 

§   Try to rest often in shady areas. 

§   Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.  

Heat related illnesses 

Although any one can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on Infants and young children, people aged 65 or older, and those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure .  

 Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs of heat stroke may include a body temperature above 103°F; red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness.

If you see any of these signs, have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim. Place the victim in a tub of cool water or in a cool shower, or spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose. Do not give the victim fluids to drink.

Less severe heat related illnesses include heat exhaustion and heat cramps. Heat exhaustion can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures. It is the body's response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat.

Heat cramps usually affect people who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body's salt and moisture. The low salt level in the muscles causes painful cramps.

For more information, visit http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp.

 

 

 

More Rain, But Flood Watch Ends (For Now)

Heavy rain has stopped for today, but continues the rest of the week. The Flood Watch for Clark County was cancelled at Noon Monday, but the river remain high. Further information can be found at:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/

With last weeks rain and low level snow and the current snow packs, the NWS is monitoring the situation very carefully.

Even though we may escape river flooding here, many areas to the south and to the west (coastal) are experiencing some, with many of those rivers forecast for bank full or flood stage. For those of you traveling for spring break, please take extra caution in the mountains, where some avalanche danger has increased, and there is always potential for landslides with this much moisture. Check out your travel area and the rivers affecting your vacation destinations by monitoring the NWS website and local authorities.

Do You Have an Eye on the Sky?

The National Weather Service is once again in the process of conducting training for our volunteer weather spotters in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. 

The training session will be held next week, on the evening of Wednesday, November 2nd from 7:00-8:30 pm at Clark County Fire & Rescue's Dollar Corner Station #26, located at 21609 NE 72nd Avenue in Battle Ground.

The training is for people who want to become part of our network of volunteer weather spotters as well as refresher training for existing weather spotters. They will be trained how to recognize cloud features and other weather phenomena that can produce severe weather as well as the criteria for reporting these elements to our office. This information is directly used in our warning program to help protect lives and property of our citizens. The training is free and open to the general public.

Here is a flyer the program  ....if you are interested in participating in reporting weather-based events as a Weather Spotter, this class is for you.  Now is the time to determine your role in our local community, participating in training is an excellent way to explore your interests and help others!