(Astoria, OR) — Week 5 of Clatsop County’s Get Ready Emergency Preparedness campaign focuses on the tsunami that will follow a major earthquake.
“Coastal residents should understand the tsunami risks of the places they frequent— whether it’s at work, your home, grandma’s house or the places your children frequent. Our website offers resources to help you create a plan,” said Jen Munson, county emergency management engagement coordinator.
“We provide hyper-local tsunami maps for Clatsop County neighborhoods, helping you start your planning. Remember, even those near inland rivers need to know how to reach higher ground quickly, as tsunami threats can extend beyond the coastline,” Munson added.
To be prepared, you will need to know:
The most efficient roads and trails to take to reach safety
How fast you will have to travel to beat the wave to safety
If the earthquake will cause bridges to become impassable or activate a landslide that blocks an escape route
What to do if safe evacuation isn't possible. You will need to prepare for other options
Local Beat the Wave tsunami maps are available at the Oregon Tsunami Clearing House resource library.
Week 1: Sept. 4 Building a Kit
Week 2: Sept. 11 Disaster Planning with Everyone in Mind
Week 3: Sept. 18 Protecting your Family & Property in a Disaster
Week 4: Sept. 25 Food & Water in an Emergency
Week 5: Oct. 2 Tsunami Evacuation
Week 6: Oct. 9 Earthquake Safety
The 6-Weeks Ready campaign ends with the Great Shakeout earthquake response drill. “Our website has information that can help folks get prepared for a safe and swift tsunami response. We also encourage everyone to register for Clatsop Alerts to maximize awareness potential” Munson said.
Personal preparedness and other emergency preparedness information is on the Clatsop County Emergency Management website.
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(Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County Emergency Management is halfway through its 6 Weeks Ready campaign to help residents prepare for a natural or man-made disaster.
After sharing some basic planning and preparation guidance in the first three weeks, Week 4 focuses on emergency food and water storage.
“You need a 6-week emergency food plan if you live in a rural Oregon coast community,” said Clatsop County Emergency Management Community Engagement Coordinator Jen Munson. “These areas often face severe weather that can disrupt supplies for a long time, and roads can get damaged, making it hard to get help.”
“Having enough food for 6 weeks allows families to be self-sufficient and provides peace of mind during emergencies,” she added. “Plus, buying in bulk can save money and help you prepare for unexpected situations.”
If you'd rather make quick work of this task with a ready-made shopping list or pre-packaged emergency food kits, there are many options online and in the community. FEMA and the Red Cross also developed a guide of items you’ll need and storage tips.
Clatsop County’s 6-Weeks Ready campaign provides residents and businesses with an opportunity to increase preparedness efforts such as these.
Week 1: Sept. 4 Building a Kit
Week 2: Sept. 11 Disaster Planning with Everyone in Mind
Week 3: Sept. 18 Protecting your Family & Property in a Disaster
Week 4: Sept. 25 Food & Water in an Emergency
Sept. 28 Get Ready Clatsop County Preparedness Event
Week 5: Oct. 2 Tsunami Evacuation
Week 6: Oct. 9 Earthquake Safety
The campaign ends Thursday, Oct. 17, the day of the Great ShakeOut. “We encourage everyone to register online to participate,” Munson said.
Personal preparedness and other emergency preparedness information can be found at Get 6 WEEKS READY Clatsop County.
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(Astoria, OR) – Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28, 2024, and join us for Get Ready Clatsop County, a day dedicated to helping families and individuals prepare for natural disasters. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Warrior Hall at Camp Rilea, 33168 Patriot Way, Warrenton.
This year's event will feature over 20 exhibitors and outdoor displays offering critical disaster preparedness information, tools, and resources from subject matter experts. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about a wide range of preparedness strategies while engaging with community partners.
Highlights of the event:
Get Ready 2024 is sponsored by NW Natural, Clatsop County Emergency Management, and the City of Seaside.
For more information, please contact Clatsop County Emergency Management at clatsopemd@clatsopcounty.gov or call 503-325-8645.
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(Astoria, OR) — The third week of Clatsop County’s “6-Weeks Ready” campaign for personal emergency preparedness is here and the theme is: “Protect Family and Property.”
Each week a new preparedness focus is introduced and leads to the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday, Oct. 17.
The Oregon HazVu geohazards viewer is a great resource from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI). It’s a simple online tool that allows you to enter an address to see if your home, school, work or surrounding area is in a tsunami evacuation zone, wildfire area, at risk for a landslide or other hazard areas.
The more you know about your risk, the better you can prepare for a disaster. Although it is simple to use, we’ve put together a quick video that walks you through using the hazard viewer.
“Once you’ve identified the risks in your area using tools like the Oregon HazVu geohazards viewer, it's crucial to take proactive steps to prepare,” said Jen Munson, Clatsop County Emergency Management Community Engagement Coordinator.
"This could look like developing a comprehensive emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, communication strategies, and emergency contacts. It’s about enhancing your property’s resilience by implementing measures such as reinforcing structures and creating defensible space to mitigate hazards like landslides and wildfires. Staying informed by subscribing to ClatsopALERTS! and regularly practicing emergency drills with your family or colleagues is also important to ensure everyone knows what to do in a crisis.
"Finally, review and update your insurance coverage to include protection against relevant natural hazards, and keep essential documents secure and accessible," Munson said.
Clatsop County’s 6-Weeks Ready campaign provides residents and businesses with an opportunity to increase preparedness efforts such as these.
Week 1: Sept. 4 Building a Kit
Week 2: Sept. 11 Disaster Planning with Everyone in Mind
Week 3: Sept. 18 Protecting your Family & Property in a Disaster
Week 4: Sept. 25 Food & Water in an Emergency
Sept. 28 Get Ready Clatsop County Preparedness Event
Week 5: Oct. 2 Tsunami Evacuation
Week 6: Oct. 9 Earthquake Safety
The campaign ends Thursday, Oct. 17, the day of the Great ShakeOut. “We encourage everyone to register online to participate,” she said.
Personal preparedness and other emergency preparedness information can be found at Get 6 WEEKS READY Clatsop County.
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For the first time in more than 40 years, Clatsop County Development will update plans regarding estuarine resources, coastal shorelands, and beaches and dunes. The public is invited to participate in a virtual presentation from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, via Zoom. This is our second virtual public meeting, with one final virtual meeting scheduled in the coming months.
The Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan describes the long-term vision for unincorporated Clatsop County, looking ahead to set direction for the County’s growth over the next 20 years. It contains common goals that guide development within the County, including in the areas of land use, environment, transportation, economic development, housing and resource use.
Clatsop County is updating three portions of the Comprehensive Plan: Estuarine Resources (Goal 16), Coastal Shorelands (Goal 17), and Beaches and Dunes (Goal 18).
Estuarine Resources Goal 16 is focused primarily on the health and usability of the Columbia River Estuary. It contains policies and standards related to recreation, fish and wildlife, and the Federal Navigation Channel.
Coastal Shorelands Goal 17 covers many areas next to bodies of water such as the Necanicum River, Nehalem River, and areas near Youngs River Bay. This goal has policies related to water quality, development adjacent to bodies of water, and the health of rivers for the purposes of fish species.
Beaches and Dunes Goal 18 is concerned with sandy areas near the ocean coast. This goal has policies focused on protecting natural dunes by limiting ground disturbance and other developments.
Regular review of these goals using up-to-date data and maps is important so the public and environment can be better served.
Join the virtual meeting on Tuesday, September 24 from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Contact Community Development Senior Planner David Cook if you have questions or need assistance joining at dcook@clatsopcounty.gov or by phone at 503-325-8611.
To join: https://co-clatsop-or-us.zoom.us/j/89318698210
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Astoria, OR – On September 1, 2024, Clatsop County implemented a new deflection program in response to Oregon’s updated law criminalizing the possession of controlled substances. This program is a partnership between local law enforcement and Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare.
Under the new law, individuals found in possession of controlled substances will be offered the opportunity to participate in the deflection program rather than face immediate criminal charges.
“This program offers a second chance for individuals struggling with addiction, giving them the opportunity to seek help and avoid charges,” Christina Schulz, Clatsop County Deflection Coordinator said.
Participants in the deflection program are not limited in the number of times they can access these services. Additionally, even if an individual is found with illegal substances while already participating in the program, they may still be allowed to continue with treatment.
“The ultimate goal of the program is to connect individuals with the resources they need to recover, rather than penalize them through the legal system,” Schulz said.
The program is funded by an IMPACTS grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, which has awarded Clatsop County $453,888 to operate the deflection program through June 30, 2025.
For more information about the Clatsop County Deflection Program, please contact the Clatsop County Deflection Program Coordinator or visit ClatsopCounty.gov.
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(Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County was notified by the Secretary of State of potential non-U.S. citizens being registered to vote in Clatsop County due to an error from the Oregon department of motor vehicles.
The information received identified two non-U.S. citizens in Clatsop County who have never voted. The directed steps have been followed and no ballots will be issued to these individuals.
If you have evidence that a person may be unlawfully registered to vote, please send your evidence and the information to Clatsop County Clerk at clerk@clatsopcounty.gov.
If you have questions, please contact our office at 503-325-8511.
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(Astoria, OR) -- When disaster strikes, any community can become an "island," cut off from the outside world due to impassable travel and supply routes. As a result, the shelves in stores and food banks quickly become empty, medical supplies run low, and some community members may need temporary shelter.
On September 21, Clatsop County Emergency Management will partner with volunteers from the Oregon Disaster Airlift Response Team (ODART), Clatsop County AuxComm, Clatsop County Search and Rescue, and the Knappa Food Pantry to practice delivery of relief supplies to the Knappa-Svensen community. Up to five small private aircraft will be loaded with nonperishable food and N95 masks at Aurora State Airport which they will then transport to the grass airstrip at Svensen. Depending on the type of aircraft, these flights will take between 35 and 65 minutes.
Karpen’s Airfield, 5.64 nautical miles East of Tongue Point at an elevation of 125 feet, was chosen due to its location just outside of the area assumed to be immediately impacted by ground subsidence and a tsunami following a major earthquake. Historically, weather-related events have also affected Clatsop County transportation routes, so this exercise is about practicing for those as well.
Ham radio emergency communications are vital to the success of ODART operations, especially during times when the commercial infrastructure may be damaged or overloaded. Before the planes depart from Aurora, Clatsop County AuxComm will send a report on weather and field conditions at Svensen via the Winlink global email system to their counterparts at Aurora so the pilots will know what to expect upon arrival. Then, hams at both airports will track cargo manifests as well as confirm takeoff and landing times for aircraft safety. Upon arrival, Clatsop County SAR will help unload the planes and the supplies will be donated to the Knappa Food Pantry.
ODART, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is run entirely by volunteers who respond to requests from local emergency managers to provide logistical support when communities face disruptions due to disasters.
“This exercise will show how small planes, piloted by volunteers, can land on a variety of surfaces – from paved runways and grass strips to sandbars and water – delivering food, medical supplies, and other essential items when traditional routes are obstructed” said Mike Neelon, Clatsop County Emergency Management Readiness Coordinator.
“Exercises like this allow volunteers to practice how they might provide meaningful assistance to their neighbors in the hours and days following a major disaster event” said Jim Origliosso, ODART President.
Event Details and Timeline – Saturday, September 21, 2024
08:00: Reconnaissance flights launch on pre-established routes and report ground observations
09:00-09:45: Aircraft are loaded at the Aurora State Airport and depart for Svensen
10:00-10:30: Aircraft arrive at Karpen’s Airfield and unload cargo
10:30-11:00: Aircraft depart Karpen’s Airfield and return to their home bases
Aviation safety is a top priority, so in the event of inclement weather this exercise will be postponed to Saturday, October 5, 2024.
For more information:
Clatsop County Emergency Management Department: www.clatsopcounty.gov/em
Oregon Disaster Airlift Response Team: www.odart.org
Clatsop County AuxComm: www.clatsopauxcomm.org
Knappa Food Pantry: www.facebook.com/groups/349192159525143
Winlink Global Radio Email system: winlink.org
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(Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County’s 6 Weeks Ready campaign focuses on personal emergency preparedness and is introducing its Week 2 focus: Disaster Planning with Everyone in Mind.
"Just like learning any new skill, disaster planning takes time. It’s okay if your plan is imperfect at first. What’s most important is that you have a plan in place and remain curious about how it can be improved. Then, practice!" said Jen Munson, Clatsop County Emergency Management Community Engagement Coordinator.
Clatsop County’s 6-Weeks Ready campaign provides residents and businesses with an opportunity to increase preparedness efforts.
“Need ideas or feedback? Come to our Get Ready Fair at Camp Rilea on September 28,” Munson said.
Disaster Planning with Everyone in Mind encourages individuals to tailor their preparations to their life:
IMPORTANT TIP: Did you know that during a disaster, cell towers often get jammed from all the people trying to call loved ones? Have someone on your contact list who is out of state. They can serve as a “relay,” where you and your loved ones can leave messages and updates.
Each week of the campaign, preparedness themes and resources will guide residents to becoming prepared. They will be posted on the County website.
Week 1: Sept. 5 Building a Kit
Week 2: Sept. 11 Disaster Planning with Everyone in Mind
Week 3: Sept. 18 Protecting your Family & Property in a Disaster
Week 4: Sept. 25 Food & Water in an Emergency
Sept. 28 Get Ready Clatsop County Preparedness Event
Week 5: Oct. 2 Tsunami Evacuation
Week 6: Oct. 9 Earthquake Safety
The campaign ends Thursday, Oct. 17, on the day of the Great Shakeout.
"The Great Shakeout offers a valuable chance to test your disaster plan, whether for your family or business. It's a fun, hands-on way to practice and promote community responsibility in whichever setting you choose to participate," Munson said.
Personal and emergency preparedness information is at ClatsopCounty.gov.
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(Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County is accepting applications for four vacancies on the 4-H Extension Budget Committee.
Members of the budget committee review the proposed overall 4-H Extension Service budget, make recommendations and approve the proposed 4-H Extension budget for adoption by the county commissioners.
The term for these positions will expire June 30, 2027.
The applications are due Friday, October 4, 2024. To apply, submit an online application at ClatsopCounty.gov. You also may pick up an application at the Clatsop County Manager’s Office, 800 Exchange St., Suite 410 in Astoria.
The Board of Commissioners will make the appointment at an upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting.
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