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:  

The Whatcom County Fire Marshall issued a Stage 1 Burn Ban for unincorporated Whatcom County effective Saturday, July 16, 2022.  As of that time, all land clearing and yard debris burning was to be discontinued at that time and all issued burn permits are suspended.  Recreational fires will still be allowed with the landowner’s permission but must meet specific requirements (see URL: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3337; or contact the fire marshal's office).  Additionally,   

- If your property lies within Whatcom County Fire Districts (WCFD) 5- Pt. Roberts, 11- Lummi Island, or 17- Sandy Point, you must check with those fire districts for outdoor burning restrictions and to obtain outdoor burning permits (when available).

- If your property lies within, or you are visiting property that is fire protected by Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), or a federal parks or forest agency, you must contact those organizations about outdoor burning restrictions.

ADVISORIES, WATCHES AND WARNINGS:

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM PDT FRIDAY for west to southwest winds 15-25 knots. WHERE  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

Mostly clear skies are in store for us over the next five days.  Temperatures will in the mid to upper 70s with a few 80s in the center of the county; the 70s will mainly be along the coastal areas. Lows over night will drop into the mid to upper 50s. Tomorrow we'll see a little bit of a dip in the temperatures before things begin to gradually warm up.  By Sunday and Monday we'll see some mid to upper 80s in the center of the county with coastal areas seeing 5-10 degree cooler temperatures. The wind will not be much of a factor at all as they will be from the west/southwest in the 5-15 mph range.  They could be just a higher along the coast.  Certainly, when we get into the mid to upper 80s or higher, consider shifting some heavier work activities to early or late in the day and take more breaks drinking plenty of water along the way.

Rivers and Streams 

Not much happening on the Nooksack River this time of the year.  Most of the water is snowmelt and it is a slow, steady melt keeping the river level right about where it is now.  Next week could see a little bit of a change with the warmer temperatures.  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

Varying amounts of onshore flow will continue  through the weekend with high pressure offshore and lower pressure  inland. Onshore flow will ease early next week as a thremal trough  develops along the coast. A marine push will bring gale force winds down the Strait tonight into Friday morning.  Winds. TODAY S wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW to 10 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less in the  afternoon.  TONIGHT S wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft.  FRI S wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 to 4 ft subsiding to 2 ft or less in the afternoon.  FRI NIGHT S wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft.  SAT W wind 5 to 15 kt easing to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 2 ft or less.  SAT NIGHT SW wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less.
 

Tide Information (Cherry Point)

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.