welcome
from the editor
On Monday November 19, 2012
Vernonia and the surrounding area got
its first winter weather scare when heavy
rains drenched the town throughout the
very early morning and into the after-
noon, sending local rivers, streams and
creeks rising, some of them out of their
banks.
The winds that accompanied the
driving rains made the morning seem
eerily familiar to those of us who were
here on December 3, 2007. The inten-
sity and duration of the rain, the timing
of the storm and the way the water accu-
mulated so quickly certainly caught my
attention. As the rain continued to fall in
sheets, blown by the driving wind, with
more heavy rain in the forecast, I started
to get worried. With Thanksgiving just
days away, I was afraid Vernonia was
about to see another holiday ruined, just
like Christmas in 2007. It felt a little too
familiar.
I know almost every year since
2007 this community has seen nasty
winter weather that has threatened to
send the rivers overflowing into our
streets, homes and businesses. And I
know that most of you who have lived
here longer than I have say this happens
almost every year—the waters rise up
close to flooding and then they recede—
and nothing bad comes from it.
But it is still hard to control that
gut reaction that happens for those who
were affected by the waters in 2007--
and for those of us who care about our
friends and neighbors who could be im-
pacted in a flood.
One thing that was different this
time was that many of us were able to
watch the river gauges online as well
as receive updates from others receiv-
november27
2012
ing current information and data. There
was some reassurance in knowing what
was happening with river levels and how
quickly the water was rising. As the wa-
ter level surged past earlier projections
of where and when the river level would
peak--first 10 feet, then 11 feet, then 12
feet—things started to look real serious
by early afternoon. The ability to moni-
tor the situation offered some relief, es-
pecially for those commuters who were
working out of town.
When the rain started to let up
around 2:00 PM and the dark clouds
started to lighten, it looked like we were
going to dodge a major event. The wa-
ters continued to rise through the af-
ternoon, cresting at well above 13 feet
and causing some flooding, especially
along Bear Creek in town and out Tim-
ber Road way. Mostly it was minor, al-
though not for those who were affected.
Fortunately we did not have to deal with
evacuations in the dark.
As I was working outside in the
driving rain early in the day to unplug
a storm water pipe that helps drain the
standing water from my property, I real-
ized something else significantly differ-
ent about this weather event. I felt a deep
sense of peace knowing that so many of
my neighbors throughout the commu-
nity would not have to deal with the hor-
rors of a flooded home, thanks to all the
elevations and buyouts of houses that
have been accomplished over the last
few years. Right now in my neighbor-
hood around State Street there are sev-
eral lifts which have just been completed
and several more homes which are in the
air. It was such a relief to know that,
in the event of continued rain, I would
not have to worry about whether my
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immediate neighbor needed assistance,
but could instead worry about my own
property. It was good to know that so
many other neighbors would probably
be available to assist others who were
less fortunate and still sitting in the dan-
ger zone. It was comforting to know that
so many families would not be impacted
the way they were in 2007.
Coincidently, there was a City
Council meeting the evening of Novem-
ber 19 and on the agenda was a public
hearing to discuss the impact that Com-
munity Development Block Grant Re-
covery Funds have had in Vernonia and
Columbia County. These funds were
secured through Community Action
Team and used to help elevate and buy-
out homes damaged in the 2007 flood.
Eighty homes were assisted through the
program; thirty-one homes were elevat-
ed, seventeen were rehabed, thirty-one
homes were bought out, along with one
business.
Many other families have used
other resources, including their own
funds, to elevate their homes above the
high water mark, meaning many less
people in our community are vulnerable
to high water.
Yes, there are still homes that
are in danger of being flooded the next
time we have a flood event. But we have
made a significant dent in the housing
stock that would be impacted. The next
time this town is flooded—and it is only
a matter of time—things will be differ-
ent. Very different
The folks at Community Action
Team have worked very hard over the
last five years to find resources, develop
programs, and work with home owners
in order to make our community and our
families safer. No, not everyone was
able to receive help, but a large number
of families were.
The storm on November 19 was
a clear reminder that, if you were look-
3
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Mark Brown
Chip Bubl
Mackenzie Carr
Karen Miller
Jennifer Moloney
Sonia Spackman
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Vernonia’s Voice, LLC
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ing for something to be thankful for this
month, you didn’t need to look any fur-
ther than this.
Scott Laird
Editor and Publisher
Vernonia
Alumni
Vernonia’s new K-12 school is now open and is quite
impressive, however the athletic fields and facilities
are not yet complete. As Vernonia Alumni, we need
to step up to the plate and help finish the job. We ask
you to join your fellow Alumni by contributing to this
important cause.
A “SPORTS INITIATIVE” fund through the Vernonia
Education Foundation (VEF) has been established. At
the October 19 Homecoming football game a check
was presented to the VEF for $3500 which we have
collected so far. Please join us and show your support
for the students and staff of the Vernonia School
District and the entire Vernonia community.
You may send your tax deductible donation to:
The Vernonia Education Foundation
1201 Texas Avenue
Vernonia, OR 97064
Be sure to designate your check
“Sports Initiative” or “Alumni”
Or you can donate on line at:
www.vernoniak12.or.us
Click on the “Sports Initiative” Donate Button
