Good afternoon.  You have reached the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management Daily Briefing Line.  Today is Friday, February 28th and the time is 1:00 pm.   

The official term now being used to describe the novel coronavirus is "COVID-19".  Information on the "COVID-19” can be found on the Whatcom County Health Department website.    

Active Incidents

The “Proclamation of Emergency” signed by the Whatcom County Executive concerning the storms and flooding several weeks ago remains in effect at this time.  Individual and businesses affected by floodwater are requested to report damages to 360.788.5311.

Advisories, Watches and Warnings: 

A “Small Craft Advisory” will go into effect this evening at 6:00pm and remain in effect until 10:00 am tomorrow morning.

A “Winter Weather Advisory” is in effect from 7:00pm this evening until 4:00pm tomorrow above 2,000. Two to fourteen inches of snow are expected.

Whatcom County Weather

Clouds will increase throughout the afternoon. We can expect periods of rain tonight and tomorrow with highs in the mid to upper 40s. Lows tonight will drop to around 38 degrees or so. Winds will be 15 mph or less today with higher winds at the ski area. Tonight, winds will be from the south or southwest with gusts near 25 mph in the northern part of the county. There will be a break in the rain tomorrow night and Sunday before it returns Sunday night. The ski area could see anywhere from 7-13 inches of snow between tonight and tomorrow night making driving conditions challenging.

The Nooksack River level will climb slightly on Sunday, drop back a little on Monday and then climb again Tuesday into Wednesday. No flooding will occur but if you are on or near the river, some tree or rock hazards may be submerged by the increase river level. Exercise caution.

Coastal Weather for Whatcom County

For the Coastal and Inland waters of Whatcom County, winds will increase to 15-25 knots from the southwest later today along with wind waves of two to four feet. Tomorrow the wind will switch to the west and drop to 5-15 knots before it increases again from the northwest at 15-25 knots causing wind waves of two to four feet. Expect another “Small Craft Advisory” to be issued for this period. Environment Canada is forecasting winds for the Strait of Georgia South of Nanaimo to be from the southeast at 20-30 knots today before dropping back to 15-25 knots a little later today.

For the tides, today was the last day of King Tides for awhile.  Otherwise, tides at Cherry Point for the next two days:

Here are a few emergency management reminders:

First, put your Winter Safety Kit in your vehicle if you haven’t done so already. Check the Washington State Department of Transportation website for a list of items to have in your kit.

Second, watch for ice and slush on the roadways especially where the temperature drops below the freezing level. And don’t forget, shaded caused by overhanging trees, mountains, or even buildings can shield the sun from thawing the frost and you could go from a dry area to patches of frost which could cause a loss of traction or vehicle control. Elevation will also make a difference as to where the freezing level is so keep alert.

Third, watch for packed snow or patches of packed snow if you are headed to the ski area or crossing the Cascades over the next couple of days. Slush or snow building up under your vehicle tires can cause your vehicle to ride on top of an unstable surface and can lead to loss of traction and vehicle control.

Fourth, keep an eye on the avalanche notifications and tree well warning. You can find information about both on the Mount Baker Ski Area Website Home Page.

Fifth, don’t drive through water flowing over roads. It only take three to six inches of fast moving water to knock you off your feet and another few inches to move vehicles as large as SUVs.  Do not go around signs or barriers; they are there for your protection and going a different route will only cost you a little bit of time.  

This briefing line is not updated on weekends unless an incident occurs.