Thursday
Bandit's Singed Wiskers
During the 10-day power outage, we had a candle burning it the bathroom all day long. Bandit was facinated by the flame...until she got too close.
Wednesday
12-31-08 5PM - HAPPY NEW YEAR - MORE STORMS COMING
We have several new weather fronts coming...cold, warm, wind and snow storms are predicted for the next week. We are gearing up. I will try to post my backlog of info from that last storm...and the courageous efforts of community volunteers, county agencies, churches, Red Cross etc. to help the needy citizens in Jewell/Elsie. It depends on how long I have power. KEEP CHECKING THE BLOG FOR MORE UPDATES. Deb
The following story was just sent out by our local newspaper...the Daily Astorian.
Jewell residents in need of helpDonations sought for storm-battered communityThe Daily AstorianAs the new year looms, electricity has been restored to almost all customers in the Jewell area, but many local residents are still coping with the aftermath of severe winter storms that cut off power and blocked roads and driveways for more than a week.There has been little or no electricity around Jewell since winter storms began blasting the region with ice, heavy snows and freezing temperatures Dec. 19.Volunteer organizations and community members are seeking donations of firewood as well as monetary contributions, to help area residents who've endured days of dark, cold and isolation.Many Clatsop County residents have critical needs following the storms and continuing loss of electricity. Volunteers are supplying food, firewood and other basic needs. The Seaside Chamber of Commerce has arranged for a contributions account at Wells Fargo Bank for those wishing to make cash donations. "The East County Rescue Account" will be managed by the Nehalem Valley Community Church, 80803 Highway 103 between Elsie and Jewell.The storms caused the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners to declare a disaster for the Jewell area. The disaster declaration authorized the county Public Works Department to assist residents by clearing blocked driveways and private roads, and to coordinate with the local power provider, West Oregon Electric Cooperative, and the Oregon Department of Transportation in restoring power to the area. The declaration also allowed the county administration to make unplanned expenditures to respond to the situation without formal prior approval of the board of commissioners, and set in motion the process for the county to call on state assistance.Electricity was finally restored to many early this week.Last week, Clatsop County and the American Red Cross, assisted by ham radio volunteers, set up comfort stations at Jewell School. The school was in operation for about five days before its water supply was exhausted. Nehalem Valley Community Church has been acting as the area Emergency Operations Coordination center in a partnership with the Elsie-Vinemaple Fire Department since. Volunteers from both organizations have been dispatching crews delivering food, fuel, wood, water and a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The Clatsop County Sheriff's Office offered its Nehalem Valley Substation to local residents for showers to replace the school's facilities.Nehalem Valley Community Church is the primary dispatch location for food and supplies. Members are still conducting safety and welfare checks and providing supplies to those in need.This week the church has been offering 24-hour shelter and supplies of food, water, firewood and other items for people in need.Mike Carter, assistant pastor and a member of the Elsie-Vinemaple Fire Department, said the church is handing out self-contained "Heater" meals, coffee, water and soup provided by community members. The church has also been helping residents buy gas, prescription medications and such miscellaneous items as a car battery.With power restored to most residents, fewer people are coming to the church, Carter said. But there still remains a critical need for dry firewood. Many people who normally use their wood stoves and fireplaces only occasionally were forced to burn through their stockpiles of wood to stay warm, and have little or no fuel left, he said.People who have dry firewood they would like to donate may bring it to the church, located at 80803 Highway 103 in Jewell. The church can be contacted at (503) 755-2376. The church will also accept monetary donations to help cover the cost of food and other items given out to local residents.Despite the warm temperatures and rain that have melted snow at lower elevations, many roads and driveways remained impassable, especially where snowplows pushed snow from the roads into large berms. To reach residents unable to drive from their homes, CERTs from Astoria and Lewis and Clark responded Monday and went door-to-door checking on residents. The teams continued to provide assistance Tuesday.Scott Reuter, a ham operator and Astoria CERT member, said the team found two people with diabetes whose insulin was running low. Other people were given food, firewood and water."Lots of people were just happy to see us walking up to their doors," he said.
The following story was just sent out by our local newspaper...the Daily Astorian.
Jewell residents in need of helpDonations sought for storm-battered communityThe Daily AstorianAs the new year looms, electricity has been restored to almost all customers in the Jewell area, but many local residents are still coping with the aftermath of severe winter storms that cut off power and blocked roads and driveways for more than a week.There has been little or no electricity around Jewell since winter storms began blasting the region with ice, heavy snows and freezing temperatures Dec. 19.Volunteer organizations and community members are seeking donations of firewood as well as monetary contributions, to help area residents who've endured days of dark, cold and isolation.Many Clatsop County residents have critical needs following the storms and continuing loss of electricity. Volunteers are supplying food, firewood and other basic needs. The Seaside Chamber of Commerce has arranged for a contributions account at Wells Fargo Bank for those wishing to make cash donations. "The East County Rescue Account" will be managed by the Nehalem Valley Community Church, 80803 Highway 103 between Elsie and Jewell.The storms caused the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners to declare a disaster for the Jewell area. The disaster declaration authorized the county Public Works Department to assist residents by clearing blocked driveways and private roads, and to coordinate with the local power provider, West Oregon Electric Cooperative, and the Oregon Department of Transportation in restoring power to the area. The declaration also allowed the county administration to make unplanned expenditures to respond to the situation without formal prior approval of the board of commissioners, and set in motion the process for the county to call on state assistance.Electricity was finally restored to many early this week.Last week, Clatsop County and the American Red Cross, assisted by ham radio volunteers, set up comfort stations at Jewell School. The school was in operation for about five days before its water supply was exhausted. Nehalem Valley Community Church has been acting as the area Emergency Operations Coordination center in a partnership with the Elsie-Vinemaple Fire Department since. Volunteers from both organizations have been dispatching crews delivering food, fuel, wood, water and a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The Clatsop County Sheriff's Office offered its Nehalem Valley Substation to local residents for showers to replace the school's facilities.Nehalem Valley Community Church is the primary dispatch location for food and supplies. Members are still conducting safety and welfare checks and providing supplies to those in need.This week the church has been offering 24-hour shelter and supplies of food, water, firewood and other items for people in need.Mike Carter, assistant pastor and a member of the Elsie-Vinemaple Fire Department, said the church is handing out self-contained "Heater" meals, coffee, water and soup provided by community members. The church has also been helping residents buy gas, prescription medications and such miscellaneous items as a car battery.With power restored to most residents, fewer people are coming to the church, Carter said. But there still remains a critical need for dry firewood. Many people who normally use their wood stoves and fireplaces only occasionally were forced to burn through their stockpiles of wood to stay warm, and have little or no fuel left, he said.People who have dry firewood they would like to donate may bring it to the church, located at 80803 Highway 103 in Jewell. The church can be contacted at (503) 755-2376. The church will also accept monetary donations to help cover the cost of food and other items given out to local residents.Despite the warm temperatures and rain that have melted snow at lower elevations, many roads and driveways remained impassable, especially where snowplows pushed snow from the roads into large berms. To reach residents unable to drive from their homes, CERTs from Astoria and Lewis and Clark responded Monday and went door-to-door checking on residents. The teams continued to provide assistance Tuesday.Scott Reuter, a ham operator and Astoria CERT member, said the team found two people with diabetes whose insulin was running low. Other people were given food, firewood and water."Lots of people were just happy to see us walking up to their doors," he said.
Emergency Preparedness and 4 Feet of Snow
Jeannette has prepared us for every contingency. Here she reads the paper with the assistance of her "head lamp." These are the most handy flashlights you can have. We used ours constantly during the storm. Not only did it provide light for reading...it was also handy for adding gas to the generator, bringing in wood, etc. Her mini-laptop (which we call the "Barbie Dream House" computer) was handy too...just charge it on the generator for a while and away you go. Thankfully, we had our land-line phone most of the time...but the DSL was intermittent.
About 4 feet of snow fell during our 20+ day storm. We measured 2.5 feet in our front yard when these pictures were shot.
Sheriff and Red Cross Provide Help
Elsie/Jewell residents were GREATLY APPRECIATIVE that the Sheriff's Sub-
Station was opened for showers and distribution of Red Cross supplies: "Heater Meals", bottled water and blankets. We volunteered at the Jewell sub-station on December 27 & 28. Here are some pictures taken at the sub station. The lady with the towel on her head hadn't had a hot shower for 12 days. (It was her birthday...and she said this was her BEST present ever!). The video below shows how the "Hot Meals" work. Everyone who stopped by was very grateful for the respite - and all the laughs and camaraderie we shared.
Station was opened for showers and distribution of Red Cross supplies: "Heater Meals", bottled water and blankets. We volunteered at the Jewell sub-station on December 27 & 28. Here are some pictures taken at the sub station. The lady with the towel on her head hadn't had a hot shower for 12 days. (It was her birthday...and she said this was her BEST present ever!). The video below shows how the "Hot Meals" work. Everyone who stopped by was very grateful for the respite - and all the laughs and camaraderie we shared.
FAMILIES FEELING REFRESHED AFTER THEIR FIRST HOT SHOWER IN 1-2 WEEKS
Father and son played in the snow outside while they waited for their turn.
Jeannette talking with a freshly showered Brenda, who works at Baker's General Store. Brenda tried to avoid the camera, but I got this shot! If she had cooperated, I could have gotten a more flattering picture!! ;-))
Deb RUSHES to the bathroom in between showers. (On Saturday, we had nearly 20 showers, back-to-back!) When you gotta go, you gotta go.
The HEATER MEALS from the Red Cross were a great hit. Many folks had a hot shower and then enjoyed a their first hot meals in many days.
Trudy was amazed at the "magic" heating packet that comes with each meal. See the video below for the whole show. (Sorry, I tilted the camera to get a better view,, so the video is sideways.)
Our friend and Emergency Preparedness colleague, Alice Wood, came up to Elsie/Jewell to help us out. She brought delicious snacks and food and COFFEE FROM THE HUMAN BEAN!! She and her husband, Albert, staffed the ham station at Baker's General Store, delivered supplies and helped out where ever they could. Albert is a retired police officer and a ham radio operator. Alice is a ham, the Seaside CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) coordinator and the leader for TIP (Trauma Intervention).
Jeannette was the official ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) operator at the Sub-Station for the weekend. As always, she did a super job. Cool as a cucumber!
Victor, from the Nehalem Valley Community Church, came by to deliver some messages and help us out. Within 24 hours the church took on a major role in organizing community resources and coordinating volunteer efforts.
Volunteering at the Church - Dec. 27 & 28
MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEERING. THE COMMUNITY HUB HAS BEEN THE NEHALEM VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH
Pastor Abel Baker conducts his Sunday service near the wood stove. Abel has stepped-up and taken a major leadership role. Working with the Elsie/Vinemaple Fire Chief, MIKE WAMMACK (sorry, no pictures) the community is coming together and delivering needed social services to our neighbors. More on this later...
Clatsop County Commissioner, and Jewell resident, Ann Samuelson, has spent lots of time volunteering.
Pastor Abel Baker conducts his Sunday service near the wood stove. Abel has stepped-up and taken a major leadership role. Working with the Elsie/Vinemaple Fire Chief, MIKE WAMMACK (sorry, no pictures) the community is coming together and delivering needed social services to our neighbors. More on this later...
Clatsop County Commissioner, and Jewell resident, Ann Samuelson, has spent lots of time volunteering.ALBERT WOOD (Seaside) - (stock photo)
Albert-KE7OUE - operated the ham station at Baker's Store on Saturday and spread the word about the Sheriff's Sub Station being open for showers and supplies. He and wife Alice were first on the scene and stayed for most of the day. YEAH ALBERT!
DOUG BARKER (Seaside) - (stock photo)
Doug came out last weekend and staffed the ham station at Baker's General store. Since then, he worked with his employer, the Seaside Chamber of Commerce, to establish a donation fund at a Seaside bank. THANKS DOUG!
BEN OLSON (Seaside) - (stock photo)
Ben Olson, owner of Clean-Sweep Paving has driven from Seaside to Jewell at least twice to use his back-hoe to clean up the church parking lot (which is not the community shelter and comfort station) and some critical drive ways. WHAT A GREAT, GENEROUS GUY!!
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