November 2, 2012
Super Storm Sandy— Local Lessons
Local disaster preparedness officials are looking to the east coast this week for lessons on what to do… and what not to do… to prepare for disaster. Joan Edwards with the West Lane Emergency Operations Group says interviews with survivors of Hurricane Sandy echoed a “simple message”… All thought they were prepared for a devastating storm, but many discovered too late they were not. Edwards said some didn’t take storm warnings seriously and many did not have critical items or information about what to do. One important item… a “grab and go” kit with essential items in the event you must evacuate quickly. Another important item… knowing where and when to go, as well as a plan to communicate with family and friends in the aftermath. Those are all lessons that residents on the Oregon Coast can use to advantage. Edwards is one of several community members who teach monthly classes aimed at preparing residents for disaster… whether it’s a storm or an earthquake and tsunami. She says next week’s class… on November 10th… will provide a summary of simple steps to prepare. The classes are free but you need to pre-register by calling Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue.
Lost and Found
69-year old Bill Sathe spent the night in the cold and rain Wednesday night, but by Thursday afternoon he was warming up and drying out. Sathe and four others headed out around noon that day to pick wild mushrooms along County Line Road, near Siltcoos Outlet south of Florence.
When he failed to make a rendezvous that evening the rest of his party became concerned. They searched the area… in the rain… then called for help just after nine PM. Douglas County Search and Rescue responded along with volunteers with Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue who joined family members and friends who scoured the area before calling it quits when it got too dark.
The search began again in the early morning hours. Sathe was found relatively unhurt around 11:30 yesterday morning.
Lane Leads in Recycling
Businesses and residents in Lane County recycle nearly two-thirds of their solid waste; the highest rate of any county in Oregon. That’s according to a study released last month by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. DEQ conducts an annual survey of things such as how much waste is hauled to landfills; how much is recovered through recycling or composting. It’s part of a legislative mandate set in 1995 and updated in 2001. In 2000 Lane County recovered 52-percent of generated trash… by 2011 that had increased to 61.5%. Sarah Grimm with Lane County says there is a “broadening base” of community members and businesses that engage in not only reusing and recycling… but reducing what she calls “unnecessary resource use”. She credits Lane County’s Master Recycling course as one of the factors that helps area residents achieve the state’s top mark… More than 500 volunteers have gone through the program and form a core group that works with local groups and public agencies in spreading the word about recycling.
