This is a notice of a “special weather statement” that has been issued by the National Weather Service. A weather briefing conference call was held today with the National Weather Service and a flood potential outlook was issued. The concern for Pacific County is the potential for tidal flooding in Willapa Bay and along the coast. Astronomical high tides will be the highest of the month Wednesday and Thursday mornings, which adds to the level of concern.In addition, the NWS spoke to the possibility of a high wind warning, which they have not yet issued. The potential for wind, the high tides, and the predicted rainfall is a combination that often results in flooding in the downtown Raymond area. Residents and businesses in low lying areas of Raymond are urged to prepare and monitor the developing storm.
Please be advised that this weather statement is being issued early due to the holiday tomorrow. The predictions made by the weather service have been made well in advance of the storm and will continue to change through tomorrow. The Pacific County EOC is not activating but will be monitoring the developing weather and may change to an activated status should conditions warrant.
From the National Weather Service: 1159 AM PST MON NOV 10 2008..FLOODING POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AND NORTHWEST OREGON LATE TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...
..FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS POSSIBLE FOR BURN AREAS...
A STRONG JET STREAM WILL BRING A SERIES OF VERY WET STORM SYSTEMS TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST BEGINNING TUESDAY. THE FIRST OF THESE STORMS WILL REACH THE WASHINGTON AND OREGON COAST TUESDAY MORNING AS A STRONG WARM FRONT MOVES IN. THE SNOW LEVELS WILL RISE RAPIDLY TUESDAY AFTERNOON AS THE WARM FRONT PASSES...WITH HEAVY RAIN CONTINUING. ANOTHER SURGE OF TROPICAL MOISTURE WILL REACH THE AREA ON WEDNESDAY WITH VERY HEAVY RAIN AND HIGH FREEZING LEVELS.
THE FOCUS AND TIMING OF THE HEAVIEST RAIN IS SOMEWHAT UNCERTAIN AT THIS TIME. AREAS OF GREATEST POTENTIAL IMPACT INCLUDE THE WILLAPA HILLS...SOUTHERN WASHINGTON CASCADES...NORTHWEST OREGON COAST RANGE AND THE NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 8 INCHES OVER HIGHER TERRAIN AND 2 TO 4 INCHES IN THE VALLEYS ARE POSSIBLE DURING THE TWO DAY PERIOD.
IF THE HEAVY FOCUSES ON THE NORTHERN OREGON CASCADES...FLASH FLOODING OR DEBRIS FLOWS WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR CREEKS DRAINING BURN AREAS...SUCH AS GNARL RIDGE OR KITSON. MINOR DEBRIS FLOWS HAVE OCCURRED IN WEAKER EVENTS EARLIER THIS FALL.
YOU SHOULD REMAIN ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF HEAVY RAIN WHICH COULD CAUSE RIVERS AND STREAMS TO RISE VERY RAPIDLY DURING THIS EVENT.
IN URBAN AREAS...LEAVES ON THE GROUND COULD BLOCK STORM DRAINS RESULTING IN LOCAL PONDING OF WATER DURING HEAVY RAIN.
MONITOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND RIVER CONDITIONS AT WEATHER.GOV/PORTLAND.