Salem-News.com Weather articles Page 55

Vernonia Flood Victims Low on Heat

The residents there need help to stay warm.

(VERNONIA, Ore.) - Flood victims in the Vernonia area are in dire need of heat sources. The winter storm that ravaged the area over the past week left many families without operational electric or natural gas heat sources.

The recent drop in temperature has literally left people out in the cold, and is leading to more and more flood victims showing up at the local hospital. There are ways Oregonians can help.

Police Identify Missing Fisherman Off Oregon Coast

The man who fell overboard was wearing yellow rain gear but was not wearing a life jacket

(TILLAMOOK, Ore.) - Oregon State Police has taken a missing person report related to a fisherman who reportedly fell overboard in the Pacific Ocean Friday morning five miles northwest of the Siuslaw River.

The Coast Guard suspended their day-long search Friday evening. The missing man is identified as 22-year old Andrew Jay Jessup Herbert-Hopper of Tangent. A trooper assigned to the Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division took the report Friday at approximately 9:30 PM after the 75-foot fishing vessel Zora Belle arrived in port.

Oregon Governor Says Cutting Red Tape Accelerated Federal Aid

Federal government approves Kulongoski's request for disaster aid to Oregon.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has received approval for federal aid to repair damage to communities that resulted from severe early-December storms, the Governor's office announced Saturday.

The Governor received notification of approval of his request for a presidential disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 11:50 AM on Saturday. The aid is for "public assistance" for which state and local agencies are eligible, not for individuals.

Oregon Communities Will Receive FEMA Aid

FEMA says damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - President Bush declared today that a major disaster exists in the State of Oregon and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on December 1st and continuing.

The request was made this week by Governor Ted Kulongoski after several regions in Oregon went underwater under the heavy rains.

Traffic on I-5 in Washington Reopens Today

Washington Department of Transportation crews are working around the clock to get highways open.

(OLYMPIA, Wash.) - Road crews in Washington have partially reopened Interstate 5 at Centralia. They prepared a northbound lane and a southbound lane through the flood area for low-speed truck traffic Thursday, after receding flood waters revealed less damage to the Interstate than anticipated.

The lanes opened to commercial freight haulers shortly after 5:00 PM Thursday. After 8:00 PM, an 11-mile portion of southbound I-5 was reopened to all traffic. All vehicles may now enter the southbound lanes of I-5 at SR 6 in Chehalis and continue south with no further closures.

American Red Cross Assists Oregon Flood Victims

Those who have already evacuated their homes are encouraged to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well site, where you can leave behind a message for your loved ones.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon's Red Cross Chapters are staying busy in their efforts to assist flood victims in Vernonia and other parts of Oregon and Washington.

Margaret Sanner with the Willamette Valley Chapter of the Red Cross in Salem, says Red Cross operated and supported shelters housed approximately 600 people Tuesday night, and those same shelters are helping hundreds of other residents during the day.

Update on Vernonia Flooding (VIDEO)

Water rationing is in effect, but there are options for staying healthy and sanitized, which is extremely important in a floodwater area.

(VERNONIA, Ore.) - Residents in Vernonia are now asked to only use water for basic health and food preparation. "Please do not use water for laundry or washing down residences, walkways and driveways," Elaine Parrott with the Office of State Fire Marshal said.

She says bottled water is available at the Vernonia City Hall. In the meanwhile Parrott says, residents need to wait a few more days for the system to normalize.

Smith and Wyden Urge Bush to Provide Immediate Disaster Relief

They're calling on the President and the Department of Homeland Security for assistance.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, Oregon Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden took to the Senate floor to call for immediate federal assistance in the aftermath of storms and flooding that ravaged Oregon’s north coast earlier this week and left hundreds in shelters, shut down Interstate Five and caused emergency communication line failure.

Smith said, “We must bring all the resources of the federal government to restore hope and vitality. This declaration is critical to the recovery, safety and welfare of thousands of Oregonians.”

FEMA and State Officials Look at Oregon Flood Disaster Areas (VIDEO)

FEMA will decide if the damages are beyond the capabilities and resources of state and local governments.

(SALEM, Ore.) - At the request of Governor Ted Kulongoski, federal and state officials are conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments on homes, businesses and public facilities hard hit during this week’s storm and flooding.

According to Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) Director Ken Murphy, PDA teams consisting of representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and OEM will visit and inspect damaged areas, document damages and talk with local officials.

Oregonians Need to be Generous but Careful in Assisting Flood Victims

“Oregonians who want to aid storm victims have ready access to a lot of information about charities to aid their making intelligent giving choices” - Oregon AG Hardy Myers

(SALEM, Ore.) - Governor Ted Kulongoski and Attorney General Hardy Myers today urged Oregonians who want to help victims of the recent Pacific Northwest storms to respond as generously as they can but to do so carefully when contributing to charitable organizations.

“Many Oregonians will want to help meet the recovery needs of the storm victims,” said Kulongoski. “I hope they will do so but will also take care not to become victims themselves and will make contribution decisions that will provide maximum benefit to victims.”