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:
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
Let's simply say we are going to have another wonderful work week of weather. We'll start out Monday and Tuesday a little on the warm side, but far from extreme. Highs will get into the low to mid-80s with the coastal communities on the low side and the interior communities seeing those warmer temperatures. Skies will be clear. Winds will be around 10 mph from west/southwest. Low tonight will be around 60 or a little cooler in the higher elevations. Tomorrow will be a almost a carbon copy of today. Then on Wednesday, we'll see temperatures about 10-15 degrees cooler with low to mid-70s along the coast and mid-70s in the interior. Thursday and Friday will be a couple of degrees warmer each day. Throughout the entire period there may be a few clouds around but nothing that will blot out the sun for more than a few minutes or so.
Rivers and Streams
The Nooksack River level is steady with no changes forecast for the next five days. 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
A thermal trough along the coast today will push over the interior of Western Washington on Tuesday and then east of the Cascades on Wednesday. Onshore flow will prevail on Thursday. A weakening front will fall apart over the Offshore Waters on Friday. Winds. TODAY NW wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. TONIGHT SW wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. Patchy fog after midnight. TUE W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. Patchy fog in the morning. TUE NIGHT SW wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. WED SW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 2 ft or less. WED NIGHT S wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft.
Tide Information (Cherry Point)
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|
|
|
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DATE | TIME | HIGH TIDE | LOW TIDE |
July 11, 2022 | 0146 | 9.12 |
|
July 11, 2022
| 0957 |
| -2.45 |
July 11, 2022
| 1813 | 9.00 |
|
July 11, 2022
| 2215 |
| 7.61 |
July 12, 2022
| 0232 | 9.17 |
|
July 12, 2022
| 1044 |
| -3.21 |
July 12, 2022
| 1859 | 9.64 |
|
July 12, 2022
| 2321 |
| 7.72 |
July 13, 2022
| 0324 | 9.15 |
|
July 13, 2022
| 1132 |
| -3.58 |
July 13, 2022
| 1942 | 10.02 |
|
July 14, 2022
| 0022 |
| 7.56 |
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.