Salem-News.com Weather articles Page 33

A Few Thoughts on Power Outages and Disaster Preparedness

Thunderstorms and lightning cut power in across Pacific NW: FEMA offers preparedness tips for when the lights go out.

(SEATTLE, Wash.) - Last night, a massive line of thunderstorms struck across the Pacific Northwest, knocking out power in over 100 communities across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

But all power outages can cause a number of safety concerns as residents seek to light, heat, cool or power their homes from alternative sources, and emergency management officials urge residents to exercise caution.

Lightning Strike Starts Salem House Fire

The fire was most probable cause by a lighting strike in that area.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Fire crews responded to a house fire today at 1055 Terrace Drive NW. The 4:42 p.m. call reported smoke coming from the roof of the house.

Deputy Fire Marshal Laird Case with Salem Fire, says when firefighters arrived, they discovered the fire was burning in the attic and roof of a vacant house. "Firefighters quickly gain access to the roof and attic area and extinguished the fire. The fire damage was limited to a portion of attic, roof, and second floor bedroom," Case said.

Closures Announced in Western Oregon & SW Washington Over Storm

The closures will be updated throughout the evening.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Closures and repairs are taking place simultaneously in Oregon as utility crews deal with massive amounts of rain from a wind-driven lightning and thunder storm.

A multiple alarm fire is reportedly burning in Keizer, Oregon. We will bring you more information on that as it becomes available.

We will update the following information as it becomes available.

Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Western Oregon

This Warning is for: South Willamette Valley, Northern Oregon Cascade Foothill, Northern Oregon Cascades (Oregon)

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Northeastern Benton County, West Central Linn County until 4:00 p.m.

At 3:09 p.m. a weather spotter reported estimated 70 mph winds near Shedd, Oregon. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and penny to quarter-size hail was located near Shedd, which is 10 miles south of Albany.

Summertime and the Livin’ Is Easy

I have to admit this is a rare column in which I’ve just shared random thoughts along with some family details of plans for our summer. Call it summer laziness but “fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high.”

(AGOURA, Calif.) - I love that song. Who can’t help but love it? It’s nearing summertime by this dad’s astute intuition and the school calendar, and that tells me it’s summer once again and what are we going to do with the kids?

A stay-at-home parent’s life is dictated by driving. Driving his or her kids to and from school, to their various extra-curricular activities, to doctor’s appointments, etc. We live in the car, so summer is actually my break, too.

Number of Homeless People Rises Throughout State

Homeless numbers rose from 3,294 on the street in 2008 to 8,561 in 2009. Many are American veterans.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Spiraling unemployment and inability to pay rent are behind a dramatic jump in homelessness throughout the state, according to data released this week by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS).

“The numbers confirm what we already knew, families and individuals can’t afford to pay for one of their most basic needs – a place to live,” said Rick Crager, OHCS deputy director.
The number of people in Oregon identified as homeless increased 37 percent from the same time last year, according to the statewide One-Night Homeless Count.

Winds, Heat Threaten to Spread California Fire

Winds that have diminished are expected to pick up later today, causing more fire danger.

(SANTA BARBARA) - AccuWeather.com reports that although firefighters have been able to reach 70% containment of the fire, aided by a combination of lighter winds and a cooler, moist onshore flow from the Pacific over the weekend, winds are expected to pick up again tonight into Tuesday.

These winds are not expected to be as strong as those of late last week. Winds could become rather strong again late in the week. Temperatures are expected to surge in the Wednesday to Friday period, when humidity levels will drop significantly.

FEMA Wants to Evict Vernonia Flood Victims from Trailers

Wyden says these highly resilient and tough people need a little more time; telling feds essentially to back off for four months.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Oregon Senator Ron Wyden asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency today to give Vernonia families ravaged by a December 2007 flood another four months to finish fixing their homes before being evicted from their FEMA trailers.

Record Western Heat Poised to Break

While levels are not expected to reach critical levels, they will climb into the moderate range during the afternoon and evening hours in a large part of central and southern California and in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

(STATE COLLEGE, Pa.) - AccuWeather.com reports record highs were set at a number of locations in California and other parts of the West Monday and more will topple during the first half of National Ozone Week. However, a major pattern change is on the way for the West.

Temperatures surged into the 90s and low 100s over a large part of California Monday. The temperature reached 103 degrees at Santa Ana, shattering the old record of 91 set in 1986.

Another Blizzard Threatens Flood Victims and Workers (VIDEO)

Despite some good luck, flooding will persist well into next week, displacing residents and changing the lives and routines of many.

(STATE COLLEGE, Pa.) - Following a miserably cold weekend, the many workers and volunteers combatting the floodwaters along the Red River and other waterways across the northern Plains may face yet another blizzard early next week.

For the residents and volunteers in Fargo, there is some good news, however.