Lewis County Flood Meeting offers latest information on winter and spring forecast
Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer gives opening remarks at annual flood meeting in Chehalis.
CHEHALIS – Lewis County expects the first of the season rain and wind event through the weekend.
An El Nino weather pattern predicts a winter and spring in Lewis County that are drier and warmer than usual. Experts say there is always a chance for flooding in the Chehalis River Basin from a unique weather pattern, so citizens were urged at the annual Lewis County Flood Meeting, to sign-up for real-time information that is easily accessible on a cell phone or computer.
Lewis County Alert provides up-to-date weather related or other public safety information to individuals who register through a link on the county website.
The Chehalis River Basin Flood Warning System is an easily accessible tool which sends automatic alerts about rising floodwaters and provides river forecasts from 100 hydrologic gages and 300 sensors along rivers and creeks in the Chehalis River Basin. To sign up for email alerts, click here.
The flood meeting, attended by local first responders, emergency service providers, hydrologists, geologists, and others, was organized by the Lewis County Department of Emergency Management.
“While we can’t prevent flooding, we can be prepared and protect ourselves and our communities,” said Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer. “Experience has been our best teacher with the way we prepare, respond and restore.”
“It takes the entire Lewis County community to ensure safety for everyone,” Brummer added.
“The gages and sensors on riverbanks and bridges provide highly accurate information,” said Scott Boettcher, a staff member with the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority. “It helps people make smart decisions.”