Salem-News.com Weather articles Page 54

Vernonia Thanks Inmates and DOC Staff for Flood Assistance

Inmate Work Crews Receive Many Thanks from Community of Vernonia.

(VERNONIA, Ore.) - The residents of Vernonia, Oregon say the recent assistance of state prison inmates and staff to their flood damaged city has made a serious difference in their efforts to bring the problems associated with recent flooding under control, and the work continues.

Vernonia's Mayor and City Councilors have joined citizens there to recognize the work of the Department of Corrections' staff supervisors and the 160 minimum security inmates who came to their town to lend a hand.

One Lane Re-opens on U.S. 30 west of Clatskanie

On December 11th the Lower Columbia River Highway was closed near Clatskanie from a slide several football fields long of mud, trees and other debris.

(CLATSKANIE, Ore.) - Traffic is once again moving on a stretch of highway near Clatskanie, Oregon that was ravaged by a mudslide last week. Oregon's Department of Transportation has re-opened one lane of U.S. 30 west of Clatskanie at milepost 67.

But they say motorists should still expect delays, as flaggers and pilot cars will control traffic through a limited section of this recently damaged roadway.

American Red Cross Work to Vernonia Continues

During the last two weeks, the Red Cross provided 1,875 overnight stays, served more than 68,000 meals and snacks, and distributed about 15,700 items to residents in Oregon's flood-affected communities.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - After operating for nearly two weeks in Vernonia, Oregon, the American Red Cross will close the Cedar Ridge Camp shelter at noon on Monday, December 17th. Red Cross assistance will still be available to Vernonia residents by calling 1-866-GET-INFO.

"We've been very active in Vernonia since the floods began," said Thomas Bruner, CEO of the Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross. "Just because this shelter is closing doesn't mean our help is over, and that's what we want to stress to the community."

State Assessment of Columbia County Flood Underway

The Columbia County Unmet Needs Committee is requesting that donations be made to the accounts set up at Wauna Federal Credit Union and US Bank.

(CLATSKANIE, Ore.) - Columbia County crews and staff from the Oregon Departments of Forestry and the Oregon Department of Transportation are working today to determine if there are any additional potential landslide sites.

A log jam on a creek-fed drainage gave way and produced a large debris slide that covered US Hwy 30 at milepost 68 on Tuesday. A second drainage area is being examined to determine whether it poses a slide threat.

FEMA Offers Disaster Unemployment Assistance

North coast workers may be eligible for disaster unemployment benefits.

(SALEM, Ore.) - With President Bush's declaration of Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook counties disaster areas, workers from those counties may be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance. The President made the declaration at the request of Governor Ted Kulongoski through the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster.

Psychologist Says Kids in Oregon`s Disaster Areas Need TLC

An expert says the most important thing to remember is that children depend on the family system for most of their coping ability.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The aftermath of Oregon's wind and flood disaster may be affecting children much more than we think, said a disaster psychologist working with the Oregon Department of Human Services.

"Children require special care following a disaster," said Laurel Hughes, Psy. D., who has assisted in more than 50 American Red Cross disaster relief efforts since 1993.

Lower Columbia River Highway Remains Closed From Mudslide

A detour exists from Portland to Astoria.

(CLATSKANIE, Ore.) - U.S. 30, the Lower Columbia River Highway, remains closed in both directions at mile post 67 near Clatskanie, while crews work into the night to clear a slide that earlier Tuesday covered a stretch of U.S. 30 several football fields long with mud, trees and other debris. The slide caused several homes to be washed off their footings.

U.S. 30 is expected to remain closed in both directions until further notice. Crews are working as fast as possible to clear the mud and other debris that is 10-feet-high in some areas.

Oregon Declares `Abnormal Disruption of Marketplace` in Wake of Storm

Oregon's Attorney General is monitoring supply and sales of basic consumer goods and services in affected North Coast areas.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced his decision to declare an abnormal disruption of the marketplace in geographical areas affected by last week’s storm, as allowed by Senate Bill 118, the state’s new anti-price gouging law.

“The storms and their aftermath have wreaked havoc on many Oregonians in the last week,” stated Governor Kulongoski. “By issuing this declaration, these victims will be protected from unscrupulous retailers and those attempting to take advantage of the needy and vulnerable,” he added.

Providence Vernonia Reopens as a Tent Hospital

Though the clinic building was under three feet of water and mud, Providence has continued to provide care in Vernonia immediately following the storm.

(VERNONIA, Ore.) - The doors have reopened following the flood at Providence Medical Group's Vernonia clinic - thanks to the deployment of some heavy-duty emergency tents that will allow Providence to provide care while the clinic's building is being repaired. These aren't your ordinary shelters - more like the Taj Mahal of tents.

They are equipped with everything the clinic needs to resume operations, including four private exam rooms. Heated, insulated and with electrical power and running water available, the tents also feature a durable vinyl floor that is designed to handle the traffic anticipated at the clinic.

Vernonia Gets Good News from Governor and FEMA

The healing process for flood victims will take several months. In the meantime, however, over 1,100 volunteers and several cooperators are working to help residents return to normalcy.

(VERNONIA, Ore.) - One week after Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski declared a state of emergency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized a full declaration for federal assistance for flood victims in Columbia County.

On Wednesday, Kulongoski asked President Bush for an expedited federal declaration of emergency. As of noon today, FEMA began taking applications for federal assistance for flood victims.