November 19, 2012
Batten down the hatches…
As much as two inches of rain could fall and possible wind gusts of up to 85 miles an hour are forecast today along the Oregon Coast. Another one to two inches of rain are predicted overnight, but winds are expected to subside by sundown.
Already this morning two stretches of Highway 101 in Clatsop County were closed because of high water or trees on the roadway. Another stretch north of Lincoln City was closed for a while because of downed power lines.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning, marine storm warnings and a flood watch for several coastal streams.
In the 24-hour period that ended at six this morning 1.3 inches of rain had fallen in the area and the highest wind gust was around 45 miles an hour. The river gauge upstream from Mapleton showed a river level of just over nine feet, but rising rapidly with the crest predicted to reach 19-feet… one foot above flood stage… by five AM Tuesday.
Winds are expected to peak along the Oregon Coast by midday and subside, but remain fairly active overnight with gust reaching about 45 miles an hour.
Estuary Trail Funding Sought
Florence City Councilors are being asked to take the next step this evening in pursuing state transportation funding for a hiking and interpretive trail along the Siuslaw River Estuary. The trail would connect existing infrastructure at the Port of Siuslaw Campground on the east end of 1st street with a series of walking and biking trails just north of Highway 126 at Quince. It would skirt the estuary and tidal flats and include interpretive and educational signage.
The estimated total cost of the trail is just over $721-thousand. The funding request for the Oregon Department of Transportation is $489-thousand. An additional $150-thousand grant from Oregon State Parks would make up the bulk of the difference… the remainder would come from the city, the port and other local sources.
Early Jail Releases
A total of 90 prisoners were released early last week from the Lane County Jail because of space restrictions. 66 of those releases were “pre-trial” defendants but 24 were convicted prisoners that were released before they had completed their full sentences. Sergeant Carrie Carver with the Sheriff’s Department said there will be an additional 35 beds closed effective December 1st. With that closure the weekly numbers are expected to rise.
Thanksgiving Kitchen Safety
Cooking-related and kitchen fires always increase in number during the holiday season. According to the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Office there have been seven deaths, 224 injuries and more than $29-million in property damage resulting from 3,661 kitchen fires in Oregon over the past four years. With added distractions and more people in and around the kitchen during holiday cooking there’s a chance of increased danger. State Fire Marshall Mark Wallace says by following simple safety steps, you can decrease the hazards and increase safety during the holidays.
