Lovely weather ahead

From the county: The National Weather Service continues to forecast rain and gusting winds through Wednesday with clearing expected Thursday and Friday.
Sunday & Sunday Night – Showers with SW Winds 30-33 mph gusting to 47 mph along the coast – Gusting winds to 30 mph inland.
Monday – Rain with SW winds gusting to 32mph
Monday Night – Rain,  SSW winds at 33-38 mph gusting to 55 mph along the coast, Very gusty winds inland.
Tuesday – Winds subsiding, Rain continues through Wednesday

Grays Harbor County Emergency Management is urging all residents to be alert for power outages with downed trees, tree limbs and power lines due to the gusting winds and extremely saturated ground. Trees and power poles can easily topple with the wind and saturated ground conditions. NEVER go near downed power lines or trees. DO NOT use portable generators indoors, NEVER refuel portable heaters indoors. DO NOT use charcoal grills for heat or cooking indoors.
Be alert for landslide indicators. The Coastal bluffs and steep hills are extremely susceptible to landslides.

Slow-moving Landslides (USGS)
What to do and look for during and
immediately after heavy rains

Areas that are generally prone to landslides:
4 On existing old landslides
4 On or at the base of slopes
4 In or at the base of minor drainage hollows
4At the base or top of an old fill slope
4At the base or top of a steep cut slope
4 Developed hillsides where leach field septic systems are used

Areas that are typically considered safe from landslides:
4 On hard, nonjointed bedrock that has not moved in the past
4 On relatively flat lying areas away from sudden changes in slope angle
4At the top or along the nose of ridges, set back from the tops of slopes

***  Features that might be noticed prior to major landsliding:  ***
4 Springs, seeps, or saturated ground in areas that have not typically been wet
4 New cracks or unusual bulges in the ground, street pavements, or sidewalks
4 Soil moving away from foundations
4Ancillary structures such as decks and patios tilting and (or) moving relative to the main house
4Tilting or cracking of concrete floors and foundations
4 Broken water lines and other underground utilities
4 Leaning telephone poles, trees, retaining walls, or fences
4 Offset fence lines
4 Sunken or down-dropped road beds
4 Rapid increase in creek water levels, possibly accompanied by increased turbidity (soil content)
4 Sudden decrease in creek water levels though rain is still falling or just recently stopped
4 Sticking doors and windows, and visible open spaces indicating jambs and frames out of plumb

What to do if you suspect imminent landslide danger:
1. Evacuate.
2. Contact your local fire, police, or public works department.
3. Inform affected neighbors

Charles T Wallace
Deputy Director of Emergency Management
Grays Harbor County
(360) 249-3911 x 290
cwallace@co.grays-harbor.wa.us

http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/DEM/Index.asp