Active Incidents
Sever Weather Damage 21-18 Emergency Proclamation by the Governor: Covers the severe wind and rainstorm event that began on November 12, 2021. https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/21-18%20-%20Severe%20Weather%20Damage%20%28tmp%29.pdf
UPDATES:
ADVISORIES, WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 AM PDT FRIDAY for 15 to 25 knots. Where: Central U. S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca, East Entrance U. S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca and Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands.
SR-20 (North Cascade Highway) is open; however, there are several areas that will need to have emergency repairs this spring/summer/fall. Traffic control lights are placed at those locations. Long delays should be expected especially over long weekends and holidays. In addition to emergency repairs there are areas where normal road maintenance is scheduled along with several culvert replacements for fish passage. Check WSDOT website for current conditions before traveling.
Inland Whatcom County Weather
Three very nice days are lined up as we close out the work week. Beginning today we will see temperatures climb into the mid-70s under mostly clear skies. Winds will have southerly slant and the velocity will be 10 mph or so. Overnight will be mostly clear with lows in the mid low to mid-50s. Friday and Saturday will be almost carbon copies of today. Highs in the mid-70s under mostly clear skies with light winds. Saturday night, the chance for showers will develop and increase Sunday through Monday. High temperatures will be in the upper 60s vs 70s but the lows will be about the same. Enjoy the next three days as much as you can.
Rivers and Streams
The Nooksack River level has pretty much flat-lined now with very little change expected over the next five days. Caution: The water is extremely cold as it is mostly supplied by snowmelt. Be very careful if planning any activity in the water as cold water shock or hypothermia can occur quickly. Wear a life jacket. Remember, you can always go to the Public Works website to check the river levels - https://www.whatcomcounty.us/666/Forecasts-Current-River-Conditions.
Whatcom County Coastal Weather
High pressure will be offshore with lower pressure inland through early next week. A weak trough will turn the flow more west to southwest Sunday and Monday. Winds. TODAY: W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. TONIGHT: S wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. TOMORROW: S wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. TOMORROW NIGHT: S wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft.
Tide Information (Cherry Point)
|
|
|
|
---|
DATE | TIME | HIGH TIDE | LOW TIDE |
June 30, 2022 | 0147 |
| 7.29 |
June 30, 2022
| 0430 | 7.64 |
|
June 30, 2022
| 1248 |
| -1.65 |
June 30, 2022
| 2104 | 9.57 |
|
July 01, 2022
| 0230 |
| 7.12 |
July 01, 2022
| 0511 | 7.46 |
|
July 01, 2022
| 1323 |
| -1.47 |
July 01, 2022
| 2135 | 9.54 |
|
July 02, 2022
| 0314 |
| 6.85 |
July 02, 2022
| 0554 | 7.19 |
|
July 02, 2022
| 1359 |
| -1.16 |
July 02, 2022
| 2205 | 9.49 |
|
Emergency Management Tips and Reminders
Cars and Hot Temperatures
Every year a number of children and pets perish because they are left in vehicles due to high temperatures. It is absolutely critical that everyone understand how rapidly a car can heat up. The following shows the effects after only ten minutes.
At 70 degrees, a car will heat to 89 degrees in ten minutes.
At 75 degrees, a car will heat to 94 degrees in ten minutes
At 80 degrees, a car will heat to 99 degrees in ten minutes
At 85 degrees, a car will heat to 104 degree in ten minutes
At 90 degrees, a car will heat to 109 degrees in ten minutes
At 95 degrees, a car will heat to 114 degrees in ten minutes.
BOTTOM LINE: Do not leave children or pets in vehicles.
Wildfire Preparedness
While we have been extremely fortunate concerning the risk for wildfire to date, things could change rapidly with dry, hot weather. Now is the time to inventory your home environment to see what wildfire risks you can mitigate against. To that extent, the following information was taken from the National Fire Protection Agency on wildfire preparedness. Additional information about the wildfires and the Firewise program can be found at the NFPA website: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire
1. HOME IGNITION ZONES: To increase your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire, choose fire-resistant building materials and limit the amount of flammable vegetation in the three home ignition zones. The zones include the Immediate Zone: (0 to 5 feet around the house), the Intermediate Zone (5 to 30 feet), and the Extended Zone (30 to 100 feet).
2. LANDSCAPING AND MAINTENANCE: To reduce ember ignitions and fire spread, trim branches that overhang the home, porch, and deck and prune branches of large trees up to 6 to 10 feet (depending on their height) from the ground. Remove plants containing resins, oils, and waxes. Use crushed stone or gravel instead of flammable mulches in the Immediate Zone (0 to 5 feet around the house). Keep your landscape in good condition.
3. ROOFING AND VENTS: Class A fire-rated roofing products, such as composite shingles, metal, concrete, and clay tiles, offer the best protection. Inspect shingles or roof tiles and replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration. Box in eaves, but provide ventilation to prevent condensation and mildew. Roof and attic vents should be screened to prevent ember entry.
4. DECKS AND PORCHES: Never store flammable materials underneath decks or porches. Remove dead vegetation and debris from under decks and porches and between deck board joints.
5. SIDING AND WINDOWS: Embers can collect in small nooks and crannies and ignite combustible materials; radiant heat from flames can crack windows. Use fire-resistant siding such as brick, fibercement, plaster, or stucco, and use dual-pane tempered glass windows.
6. EMERGENCY RESPONDER ACCESS: Ensure your home and neighborhood have legible and clearly marked street names and numbers. Driveways should be at least 12 feet wide with a vertical clearance of 15 feet for emergency vehicle access.
7. FINAL THOUGHTS:
- Develop, discuss, and practice an emergency action plan with everyone in your home. Include details for handling pets, large animals, and livestock.
- Know two ways out of your neighborhood and have a predesignated meeting place.
- Always evacuate if you feel it’s unsafe to stay—don’t wait to receive an emergency notification if you feel threatened from the fire.
- Conduct an annual insurance policy checkup to adjust for local building costs, codes, and new renovations. n Create or update a home inventory to help settle claims faster.
COVID-19
Information concerning face coverings and other protective actions can be found on the Whatcom County Health Department Website.
These Daily Briefings on Incidents, Advisories, Watches and Warnings, current weather and Emergency Management tips are published Monday through Friday, as well as during times of increased awareness or actual events.