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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2009)
12 vernonia’s voice community january 2009 Winter Storms Put a Damper on the Holiday (continued from page 1) Periodic power out- city employees, school staff and vol- updated weather and other pertinent information for citizens, ages within the city, as well unteers. It was given limited assis- including where shelters would be established, and emergency as longer sustained outages tance from the Oregon Trail Chapter contact information. “My motto is ‘We would rather be safe, to outlying areas, had left of the Red Cross, who provided some than sorry,’” said Vernonia Mayor Sally Harrison, in response some citizens vulnerable. blankets, emergency meals, and other to the decision to notify residents of the predicted weather On December 24, at around supplies, but no staff. “We are con- conditions and flood warnings. “I would rather be over-pre- 2:00 PM, the power went tinuing to monitor situations all over pared.” out in town for good, and re- the state,” said Chapter Emergency An attempt was made by the City to manage media cov- mained out through Christ- Services Director Eric Corliss. “We erage, attempting to release pertinent information through mas until the early morning are available to provide support, and television interviews with local outlets that came to Vernonia hours of December 27. want to try to augment the local com- to cover the event, and through radio interviews. Chief Kay, The city had previously munity response.” acting as the city Public Information Officer, attempted to con- procured several large gen- Vital services were shut down with tain fears about flooding, while still getting information out to erators from Halton Rent- the power outage, including the only local citizens by all means available. als which were ready and public fuel station, and citizens were Poor road conditions, deep snows and an inability to reach in place when the power forced to wait near the Wilcox and Fle- citizens without power on Keasey, Stoney Point, Mellinger and went out on the 24th. One gel card-lock in the hopes of purchas- Pebble Creek Roads, forced the Incident Command to request National Guard Humvees helped reach citizens isolated by was used to power the Sen- ing fuel from someone with a card, to additional resources on December 27, with Oregon National poor road conditions. try Market to provide a food run generators. The City eventually Guard troops in three Humvees arriving that afternoon. Local source for citizens, another was set up at the Middle School began filling citizens’ gas containers medical personnel and a which was being prepared as a site for an emergency shel- on the honor system, telling them to police officer were able ter, and a third was used to power the water plant to provide come into City Hall to pay whenever to travel in those Hum- drinking water for citizens. The city was not charged for those it finally re-opened. “It is better for vees, traveling every generators until they were actually put into use. us to give someone fuel and get them road in the fire district The city opened the emergency shelter on December 24 sheltered in place, then to bring them to do welfare checks on at the Middle School, providing a warm place to stay and hot into our shelter, and house and feed most residents, bringing meals for those without power. “In my opinion, that’s what them,” said Chief Kay. The city re- food, water and other it’s here for,” said Superintendent Ken Cox, when he was later ported on Tuesday, December 30, that needed supplies. Power thanked for the use of the facility. The shelter was run by most of that fuel had been paid for. was restored to most area On Christmas day, numerous residents on Saturday, families used the center as a place December 27. to gather and be together, and about The heavy rains and twenty-five people slept there over- warmer temperatures night. The shelter served as many as One of several Incident Command briefing that were held during that had been predicted the Snow emergency 250 people in one day, according to thankfully never materi- Cox, and the city reported that almost 500 people visited the alized, and Vernonia was spared any flooding on Rock Creek shelter during the duration of the emergency. and the Nehalem River. Volunteer crews, Public Works crews, On December 26, the National Weather Service issued a County crews, and contracted workers began slowly clearing Flood Watch that called for rain and significant rises in area roads, uncovering drainage grates on city streets, and clearing river levels, listing the Nehalem River as a river of most con- parking areas. The emergency shelter was closed at 7:00 PM cern. Conditions and river levels were continuously monitored on Sunday, December 28. by the Joint Incident Command team, and meetings included a The Joint Incident Command, which had continued to quorum of the Rural Fire Board and City Council. That group meet and hold daily briefings each morning for four days, met decided on December 27 to begin providing daily informa- for the last time on Monday, December 29, at which time the Over 500 visitors used the shelter between December 24th and the 28th. tional sheets that were distributed around town and provided City Council rescinded the declared State of Emergency. Henk and Nancy Schenk Real Estate Brokers Home office: (503) 429-7013 Cell: (503) 816-4249 (Nancy), (503) 708-8748 (Henk) Email: nancy@schenkrealty.com (503) 429-4300 825 Bridge Street BUY WITH KNOWLEDGE SELL WITH CONFIDENCE IT'S "MARCH MADNESS" in Vernonia & the surrounding area! NOW is the time to buy your new home! *The 30-year fixed interest rate is under 5%; We cooperate with other brokers in finding you the puuurfect home in your price range; and there is a new Tax Credit for qualifying *Information contained herein is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. homebuyers through the "Stimulus Package"! 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