Salem-News.com Weather articles Page 56

Oregon`s Governor Asks President Bush for Federal Emergency Aid

The Governor has authorized the use of the Department of Corrections mobile kitchen unit to travel to Vernonia to provide citizens and work crews with hot, nourishing meals.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has asked President Bush for an expedited federal declaration of emergency.

In a letter sent to the President, the Governor wrote: "I formally request that you declare a major disaster for the State of Oregon as a result of the severe storm and flooding which began on December 1st 2007 and has critically impacted Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, Tillamook and Yamhill Counties.

Coast Guard Rescues Hundreds During Northwest Flooding (VIDEO)

The most recent case involved the rescue of a pregnant woman near Pacific City, Wash., by a rescue helicopter crew homeported out of Air Station Port Angeles, Wash.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - The Coast Guard, along with state and federal agencies, worked continuously to provide assistance to communities in the Pacific Northwest affected by the recent flooding.

Coast Guard operations began Monday in Tillamook, Ore., Pe Ell, Wash., and Belfair, Wash., where Coast Guard units assisted in the rescue of at least 128 people, five dogs and one cat.

Inmate Work Crews Join Vernonia Clean-up

The prisoners are staff-supervised, they're helping our with the major flooding in this Oregon log town.

(VERNONIA, Ore.) - The Oregon Department of Corrections dispatched 14 staff supervisors and 100 minimum-security inmates earlier today to help remove debris and clean-up around the city of Vernonia, which has been severely affected by weather damage and flooding.

Staff and inmates will erect a mobile work camp and a kitchen in L.L. "Stub" Stewart State Park, which is 11 miles south of Vernonia. The Department of Corrections is prepared to distribute 4,000 meals to inmates, staff and other personnel helping with the clean-up and repair.

Update on Oregon`s Storm Battered Highway System

While a number of highways remain closed, several have reopened.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Slides, fallen trees and high water have closed or are partially blocking several highways in Oregon at this time. Even though the worst is over, drivers still have to be extremely careful and avoid several areas in the state.

These closures include Interstate 5 in Washington State from mileposts 68 to 88, in the Chehalis and Centralia areas, due to floodwaters from the Chehalis River. Washington state officials say motorists will not be able to travel I-5 between Portland and Seattle for at least the next few days.

Crews Fight Downed Trees, Landslides to Restore Power to Oregon Coast

In all, 650 Pacific Power employees, along with 30 PGE crews, are deployed to work on these restorations.

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore. ) - Pacific Power reports that progress is being made in restoring outages in the coastal and valley areas, but they warn some people maybe without power for the next few days.

Over 39,000 people are without power, including 23,000 in Clatsop County, nearly 12,000 in Lincoln City, and 409 in the Albany area. In Clatsop County, the Red Cross is opening shelters to provide food and lodging to those displaced by the storm. The largest of these is at Camp Rilea, which has its own generator and 1,100 beds.

Rescue Efforts Underway in Oregon Town of Vernonia

Stay with Salem-News.com for all the latest Oregon Winter Storm information.

(VERNONIA, Ore. ) - The U.S. Coast Guard and the Oregon National Guard have helicopters and boats in the Oregon town of Vernonia plucking residents off roof-tops and rescuing stranded people after the Nehalem River swelled overnight.

The Coast Guard says they have 8 aircraft in the area and have rescued more than 200 people so far. Hundreds of homes are flooded, as well as schools and businesses. Highways 26 and 47 in and out of the city are closed.

Governor Declares State of Emergency in Oregon

"My priority is to ensure the safety of Oregonians by providing whatever resources they need to stay warm and dry and protect their property," said Governor Kulongoski.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Governor Ted Kulongoski has declared a state of emergency and authorized the use of state resources to help those communities suffering from the effects of severe weather.

The Governor declared a state of emergency, pursuant to ORS 401.055 due to the prolonged power outage, flooding and the need for shelter in many areas of the state.

Oregon, SW Washington School Closures for Tuesday

Stay with Salem-News.com for all the latest Oregon Winter Storm information.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Here are the latest Oregon and SW Washington school closures for Tuesday.

In the mid-Willamette Valley the following schools are CLOSED: Eldriedge Elementary School, Willamina Sch. Dist., Sheridan Sch. Dist. Head Start of Yamhill Co. - Willamina/Sheridan Head Start classes. 2 hrs late: Dallas and Perrydale, and no AM Kind. Yamhill-Carlton Sch. Dist., no AM kind-staff report on time.

Closures and Delays Due to Oregon Storm

This list will be updated as information comes into our newsroom.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Polk Co. Schools:

Dallas Sch. Dist.: 2 hrs late, no AM Kind, Pedee/Bridgeport CLOSED (Effective tomorrow - Tue Dec 4th)
Yamhill Co. Schools:

Sheridan Sch. Dist.: Closed (Effective tomorrow - Tue Dec 4th) UPDATE

Read Full Story for More CLOSURES.

Sand and Sandbags Available Over High Water in Salem

Free sand and sandbags are available at the City Shop complex.

(SALEM, Ore.) - As of 5:25 PM Monday, Salem Parks and Public Works Crews had responded to at least 12 limbs/trees down throughout the Salem Area today. Public Works also responded to four signals out and three traffic signs down.

The Willamette River is projected to crest above 20 feet late Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. At this level, it is anticipated that Homestead Road and Browns Island will have to be closed due to high water.