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DEC. 17, 1997
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Are You Prepared For Whatever
“El Nino” May Bring?
Fact: The most powerful “El Nino"
in recorded history, (1982-1983),
caused more than $ 1.2 billion in dam­
age in the U.S. and in excess of $13
billion worldwide.
Question: Are you prepared in the
event “El Nino" wreaks havoc on the
Pacific Northwest?
"The one thing that is predictable
about "El Nino” is that its effects are
unpredictable," says Marianne Macina,
COCU, regional manager for the West­
ern Insurance Information Service
(WIIS). "So the best we can do is be
prepared for anything and everything.”
In the past, “El Nino" has brought a
wet/cooler winter to the western U.S.
causing damage from heavy rains, in­
creased mountain snowfall, mud slides,
spring flooding, and summer forest
fires in normally low-burn areas.
“This year’s “El Nino” is expected
to peak around Christmas and con­
tinue through winter,” warns Macina.
“Different weather forecasts reflect
different predictions for our area:
Will we see heavy rains and spring
floods? Will we have a “drier-than-
normal” winter and be at greater risk
to wild fires next summer? Will we
experience a little "wamier-than nor­
mal” winter with enough snow pack
in higherelevations to prevent a sum­
mer drought?
While only time will tell, Macina
says now is the time to prepare for
anythingandeverything.“Yourinsur-
ance companies through
w n s recommend that
~~
you lake the fol­
lowing pre­
c a u tio n s
now in or­
d er
to
a v o id
costly re­
pairs and
’ unpleasant
insurance
s u rp ris e s
later (don't
forget that a
s ta n d a r d
hom eow ners insur­
ance policy generally
does not cover flood
or landslides)."
How to prepare for “El Nino” :
* Inspect the trees on your prop­
erty. Rem ove or cut back any
branches that arc rotted or could fall
on your house.
* Inspect your roof for leaks and
clean out its gutters of any debris.
* Inspect any storm drains located
on the street near your home. If they
appear clogged or congested, report
them to your city’s public works de­
partment.
* Verify the roof on your house is
secure and that tiles or shingles are
not loose.
* If at risk from Hooding or high
water, move valuables oft the floor
Council allows "granng
flat" without residents
B y L ee P eari . man
Defying the Portland Planning
Commission and most city neighbor­
hood associations, a City Council
majority would allow "granny flat”
accessory rentals without a resident
owner.
The change is the most explosive
of several proposed for the city codes
governing accessory rentals. Also
known as “granny flats,” they are
small rental units either partitioned
from or added tosingle family homes,
or built in the back yard as accessory
structures. Current law allows them
only in designated areas, and then
only if one of the units is owner-
occupied. Planning Commission staff
contended last week that overly strict
regulations prevent the badly-needed
units from being built.
Neighborhood Associations f rom
throughout the city opposed the
change, saying it would destabilize
neighborhoods and lead to whole­
sale acquisition and conversion of
houses in some neighborhoods.
However, in an informal vote last
week. commissionersCharlie Hales,
Gretchen Kafoury and Erik Sten
voted to remove the requirement en­
tirely. They concluded that the re­
quirement is unenforceable, and that
neighborhood fears are unfounded.
Home, Sweet Home
(NAPS)—Home may seem the
one place we can let down our
guard, or can we? According to the
National Safety Council, last year
seven million Americans suffered
disabling injuries and another
26,700 died as th e re s u lt of
injuries sustained at home. Use
these safety hints to keep your
loved ones safe and sound.
1. Carbon Monoxide Detector:
Because carbon monoxide is odor­
less, colorless, and tasteless, it
often goes undetected. Any fuel-
burning appliance in your home is
a p o ten tial source. Place your
detector in an area near sleeping
rooms.
2. Ground-Fault Circuit Inter­
rupters: This electronic device
helps protect you from serious
injury by monitoring the electrici­
ty flowing in the circuit. If an
imbalance occurs, the GFCI will
instantly shut off current flowing
through it.
3. Fire extinguishers: A multi­
purpose dry chemical Class ABC
fire extinguisher is considered the
best choice for general home use.
4 Flashlights: Make sure the
b a tte rie s are functional or use
flashlights with built-in, recharge­
able batteries.
5. First-Aid Kit: Keep a well-
stocked kit, including syrup of
ipecac. Make sure everyone knows
w here to find it and how and
when to use the items in it.
6. Grab Bars: Install grab bars
in all bathtubs and shower stalls.
7. Slip-Resistant Finishes: Use
a non-slip mat, or install strips or
decals in bathtubs or showers to
help prevent slipping.
8. S u ffic ie n t L ig h tin g : Use
night lights near bathrooms, bed­
rooms, and stairwells.
9. Safety Goggles: Eye protection
is a must for the do-it-yourselfer.
and up to higher ground, preferably
the second floor of your home (il
you have one).
* H ave the m ain
breaker or fuse box
and the u tility
meters elevated.
* Prepare sand
bags and have them
ready to use.
* C heck with
your city hall or in­
surance company to
determine whether your
house or building is located
in a flood plain. (Special Flood
Hazard Area maps, produced
by FEMA, identify areas that
have more than a once percent
chance of flooding.)
* Consider buying Hood insur­
ance now. While flood insurance can
be purchased any time, there usually
is a 30-day waiting period before the
coverage takes effect. The Hood cov­
erage may be purchased through your
insurance agent or directly from the
National Flood Insurance Program
at 800-611-6123 ext. 900. The aver­
age annual premium is $300. It may
be more or less depending whether
or not your house or building is in or
out of the flood plain and whether or
not you have a basement. Flood in­
surance is available to almost every­
one, itdoesn’t matter where you live.
* If you live on a slope, consider
purchasing a homeowners insurance
endorsement that wraps flood, land­
slide. and earthquake coverage into
one package. It's not available to
everyone, but if you qualify, it does
exist and is a good buy for all three
coverages. To find out more, call
5O3-248-64OO in Portland.
* Have an emergency evacuation
plan in place.
* fake an inventory of your home
and keep the list in a safe place away
from your home (i.c., a safe deposit
box).
* Listen to local weather adviso­
ries.
PDC
~TORTLA.M)
IfEVELOlMEST
Killingsworth Plaza
1621 N.E. Killingsworth
FOR RENTII
Large 800 sq. ft. 1 Bedroom Apt.
Large Kitchen & Living Room
ru
With Appliances
$360 - $400 month
Water & Garbage paid!
HL
Call James for more information 284-8103
ERA
POUNDER
REALTY
Each office independently
owned and operated
COMMISSION
COMMISSION MEETING
Date: December 18,1997
Place: PDC
1900 SW Fourth, Suite 100
Portland, OR
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Commission meetings are open to
the public. A complete agenda is
available at PDC or by calling
82.3-3200. Citizens with disabilities
may call 823-3232 or TDD 823-6868
for assistance at least 48 hours in
advance.
PDC is the City of Portland's urban
renewal, housing and economic
developm ent agency.
Carol (Pago) Collier
REALTOR
Elbow Room
Great old Portland starter bungalow, 3 + BR’s, 1.5 BTH, over
1400 sq ft, fenced large yard, gas heat, electrical update, awaits
your personal touehjust $98,000. Great investment opportunity
in solid PNE neighborhood. Call Carol Page Collier @ (503)
768-4046 or Rose Marie at 256-0220 for a private showing.
PGE really deserves the Spirit of
Portland award. Our Neighborhoods
First has been a real blessing to
Antoinette Edwards
residents of North Portland. The
Columbia Villa-Tamarack
Family Resource
Center Coordinator
company and its volunteers have
been wonderful helpers and partners
in our efforts to build a strong neighborhood
We'd like to salute
a spirited community.
We're proud to receive the Mayor's Spirit
Orion Collins and his sister
Zakari Newton team up
for the North Portland
Caring C ommunity Rose
Festival Parade outing,
sponsored by PGE's
O ur Neighborhoods First.
of Portland award as a Business of the Year.
But we're even prouder to be part of a
community where people work together to
make this a nice place to live. That's what
community spirit is all about. And that's
why we consider it a privilege to help
Every home is vulnerable to
acts of nature. To prepare your­
self for a disaster, keep a sur­
vival kit with such items as a util­
ity lighter that is both functional
and safe.
It’s also recommended for indoor
cleaning, yard and garage work.
10. Survival Kit: Every home is
vulnerable to acts of nature. To
prepare yourself for a disaster,
keep a survival kit with such items
as tools, a battery- operated radio
and flashlight, clothing and bed­
ding, containers of water, non-per­
ishable food, and a first aid kit.
A safer, more reliable alterna­
tive to matches, is the Aim n Flame
from Scripto Tokai. Great for light­
ing barbecues, fireplaces, food
warmers, lanterns, candles and
just about any other home lighting
or em ergency need. A vailable
nationally in supermarkets, hard­
ware, drug and mass merchandise
stores, the Aim n Flame keeps your
hands further from the lighting
source using a long, round nozzle, a
built in hanger for storage up and
away from children and an on/ofl
switch to help avoid unintentional
lighting.
sponsor events like the Cathedral Park Jazz
Festival, Seed the Future tree plantings and
the St. Johns Parade.
PGE helps Seed
the Future at a
tree planting in
Portsmouth.
PGE congratulates all the dedicated
Spirit award recipients including the Kenton
Neighborhood, volunteers Don and Mary
Brenda Addy takes part
in the Homowo African
Harvest Festival,
sponsored in part by PGE's
O ur Neighborhoods First.
Gilbertson, and Lila Estes. We're honored to
be counted among them. And to be in a city
where community spirit is alive and well.
Portland General Electric
"NEIGHBORHOODS»'