Cowlitz County Flood Update

The City of Kalama is having problems with their water system. Sixty homes are without water and many are under a boil water order.

Kelso, Oregon Burcham Landslide Photo: CowlitzCountyDEM.blogspot.com

(LONGVIEW, Wash.) - The Cowlitz County Incident Command Post that was county-wide has been closed. Officials there say command has been transferred back to each individual agency and jurisdiction.

The Cowlitz County Joint Information Center will be open on Saturday, January 10th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Storm recovery/Cowlitz County is preparing to have a web site and a call center available next week where you can report damages caused by the January Rainstorm 2009.

A press release from Cowlitz County states, "We are suggesting between now and then, for people to begin documenting what you can through photos and in writing."

They say some of the information to consider includes:

• Is your home inhabitable at this time?
• Do you own or rent?
• Insurance information
• "Best guess" on the amount of damage (brief description with approximate dollar amounts)
• Pictures of damage can help substantiate your claims. Watch the county website for more information at co.cowlitz.wa.us/dem/.

"Clean Kits" should be available for distribution at the Point of Distribution (POD) located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building located at 11th and Delaware in Longview.

The POD will be open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, January 10th. These kits are for homeowners who have been impacted by water in their residence.

In other area news, the City of Kalama is having problems with their water system. Sixty homes are reportedly without water and many are under a boil water order.

Residents are asked to limit their use of water until further notice. City workers will be on the job all night trying to fix the problems.

Information regarding road closures and other emergency information can be found on: co.cowlitz.wa.us/DEM/roads or CowlitzCountyDEM.blogspot.com