Wynoochee Valley Rd fire blocks road in both directions

The Montesano Fire Department is fighting a single home fire at 89 Wynoochee Valley Rd.

A call came in just before noon today that the fire was fully involved. Fire Chief Leonard Johnson said that “It has been a defensive fire attack, mainly because there is a basement in the building and the fire has spread throughout the building. So we’ve been on defensive operations.”

Crews will be on scene for hours knocking down the fire.

The Wynoochee Valley Rd has been shut down in both directions while fire crews battle the blaze.

There were no injuries.

Free family movie night at Grays Harbor College

Students at Grays Harbor College are inviting the community to the campus on Thursday evening, October 3, for a free outdoor showing of the Disney family movie “Monsters University.” The movie will be shown at 7:15 p.m. in the quad between the Spellman Library and the HUB at no charge.

Food, games and other activities are planned, starting an hour before the movie begins. Movie-goers should bring blankets, pillows and other items for sitting on the ground, although accommodations will be made for those who cannot sit on the ground.

The movie event is hosted by the Associated Students of GHC and the students’ Activities Board.

More anti Wild Olympic signs going up locally

New signs are up around town opposing the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and residents can assist in adding more.

The Working Wild Olympics group told KXRO that a “Hang Wild Oly Party” to promote their new “STOP Wild Oly” signs will be held in Hoquiam on Wednesday.

Opponents of the measure will meet at the Harborena at 7pm, and some of the new 4×8 Plywood signs will be available to the public to hang around the area.

Also available at the event will be new “STOP Wild Oly” t-shirts available for $10. These shirts are also available at the Hoquiam License Agency on Sumner Ave in Aberdeen.

First introduced in June of last year following years of discussion, the measure would expand the wilderness area in the Olympic National Forest by about 200 square miles, creating a buffer around Olympic National Park.

Senator Patty Murray has said that she plans to reintroduce the legislation that did not get a vote in the last session of Congress.

The Grays Harbor County Commissioners, Aberdeen City Council, and Cosmopolis City Council have all voted in opposition to the legislation.

The Hoquiam City Council have voted saying they opposed the legislation as it was, but said they were willing to consider a revised plan.

Pontoon W returns to Lake Washington today

Pontoon W, which left the Aberdeen casting basin in July of 2012, is now returning to Lake Washington, this time with six fewer columns than it was last seen on the lake.

Earlier this month, SR 520 floating bridge project contractor Kiewit/General/Mason, towed the pontoon to a facility on the Duwamish River to remove six concrete columns built on the pontoon last year.

“We’re happy to welcome Pontoon W back to Lake Washington,” said Dave Becher, construction manager for the project. “We’ve completed necessary repairs in the dry dock and removed columns that will be replaced on Lake Washington. Together, these repairs will ensure that the pontoon meets its 75-year design life”

Last year rebar cages inside the columns shifted slightly during a concrete pour. Crews will re-pour the columns on Lake Washington later this year. The removed columns will be dismantled, and the concrete and steel rebar will be recycled.

Because it was a construction issue, all costs associated with repairing the columns are the responsibility of KGM. No taxpayer money will be spent on the column repairs, and no time will be added to the project schedule.

Once on the lake, Pontoon W will be moored at the east end of the existing floating bridge, where crews will add new rebar and pour new concrete. When complete, 10 round columns and two larger box columns will be used to support the highway on the new SR 520 floating bridge.

As of September, 32 of 77 pontoons for the new floating bridge are complete with additional cycles due from Aberdeen and Tacoma this fall and winter.

Raymond apartment fire in the rain

Early this morning, despite the rain, the Raymond Fire Department responded to an apartment fire at the Raymond Manor Apartments.

RFD responded just before 1:30 am this morning to find a kitchen fire in a first floor apartment at the complex. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the single apartment while they evacuated all 35 residents in the building.

Although the fire was contained, the entire 3 story building was filled with smoke. Crews were on scene for over an hour as they assisted residents.

The 78 year old woman who lives in the damaged apartment was able to escape without injury. The American Red Cross is assisting her with a place to stay.

The actual cause of the fire is not yet known, but RFD says the likely cause is from the kitchen stove.

Damage is estimated at $50,000 with the fire and smoke.

The weekend storm is extending into today

The worst of the storm is behind us, but a high surf warning and a flood watch are still in effect.

The high surf warning remains in effect until 11 am this morning. Dangerous high surf with waves 25 to 27 feet are expected.

Waves will slowly subside to around 20 feet midday. These waves are powerful enough to sweep unwary beach walkers out to sea. People can be seriously injured by debris such as logs tossed about in the waves.

The waves will also result in beach erosion. Stay off breakwaters and jetties during periods of high surf.

A flood watch is now in effect through this evening.

While the steady rain has ended, heavy rain over the weekend could result in the Chehalis reaching flood stage beginning Monday night.

The National Weather Service says the weekend storm has made for the wettest September on record in parts of Washington.

A record was also set at the Bowerman Airport in Hoquiam the weekend when 1.78 inches of rain fell on Saturday. The old record of just over an inch was set in 1962.

The WSDOT reported dozens of incidents where limbs broke off and blocked roads in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. SR 101, 103, 105, 4, and 6 were all blocked for a portion of the storm.

Power was knocked out to over 1000 people during the storm. Grays Harbor PUD crews restored power to almost all customers by this morning. Crews continue to work on a few small scattered outages across the county.

High Wind Warning for Sunday through Monday

Update: The first storm of the season could produce gusting winds of (75 mph), according to the National Weather Service. A High Wind Warning has been issued for 3pm Sunday afternoon through 5am Monday. Expect winds from 25 to 40 mph and near 60 later in the afternoon today. The NWS says isolated gusts of 65 mph will be near the beach areas. A High Wind Warning means that damaging winds could occur toppling trees, causing power outages and damaging property. A High Surf Warning is in effect for today at 3pm through 5am tomorrow as well as a Flood Watch for Grays Harbor rivers until Monday at noon.

Chuck Wallace with Grays Harbor County Emergency Management urges residents to prepare for this latest weather event:

1) Prepare for high winds and the possibility of down trees and power lines resulting in power outages throughout the county.
2) Use extreme caution while driving in heavy downpours as roadways may become flooded.
3) Use caution along the beaches. DO NOT TURN YOUR BACK TO THE SEA. Waves will run up the beaches much farther and be strong enough to pull a person into the sea. Use extreme caution on rocks and jetties as debris can be thrown about in the surf. Considerable beach erosion will occur. DO NOT venture into the water.
4) NEVER USE PORTABLE GENERATORS INDOORS. Please make every effort to keep any gas or propane powered equipment far away from the interior of your home due to the possibility of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. If you suspect you or any family member may be ill due to Carbon Monoxide poisoning, CALL 911 and LEAVE THE PROPERTY IMMEDIATELY

Wind Advisory, Flood Watch issued for the coast

High winds are expected to hit the coast Saturday as the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory to be in effect until 5pm. Winds of 25 to 35 mph are possible with gusts of 55 on some beach areas. Winds of this strength could snap tree limbs and cause damage such as power outages or uprooted trees. Also, a Flood Watch has been issued as well for Grays Harbor rivers as well.

Grays Harbor Emergency Management:

Wind Advisory and Flood Watch issued for Grays Harbor County

HEAVY RAINFALL (2-5”) is expected over the weekend.

A WIND ADVISORY has been issued for Grays Harbor County for today (Saturday)

Strong South winds are expected to build beginning after 8am. Winds are forecast to be 20-35mph sustained with gusts to 50mph. Coastal areas could see gusts to 55mph. The winds are expected to diminish around 3pm but build again tomorrow.

A WIND ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS OF 30 TO 39 MPH OR GUSTS OF 45 TO 57 MPH ARE LIKELY.

A FLOOD WATCH has been issued for Grays Harbor County due to the heavy rainfall. Western Washington Rivers are expected to rise to near or just above flood stage although all Grays Harbor County rivers are very low at this point. No Grays Harbor County Rivers are expected to flood at this time. Roadways may become dangerous during heavy rain and cause dangerous driving conditions

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR FLOODING BUT FLOODING IS NOT IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY IF FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED.

Flu season brings more vaccines for Washington residents

Flu season is almost here and Department of Health says that the time is now to get vaccinated. “Flu seasons are unpredictable, so it’s important to get your flu vaccine as soon as it’s available, before people start getting sick,” says State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. “Getting flu vaccine now will provide protection throughout the season. It’s not too early.”

Yearly flu vaccination is recommended for everyone age six months and older.

Vaccine is already available from many health care providers, including pharmacies, and there are more vaccine options this year than ever before.

The vaccine is available as a flu shot or nasal spray. Some vaccines will protect against four different strains of flu virus. Ask your health care professional which vaccine is best for you and your family.

The Healthy People 2020 goal for flu vaccination coverage is 80% or higher. Only about 47% of people in Washington were vaccinated against flu last season.

The state health department bought more than 754,000 doses of flu vaccine for kids through age 18. Kids can get the vaccine from their regular health care providers. Kids under nine years old may need two doses for the best protection.

For more information, visit http://www.doh.wa.gov

Telephone Town Hall scheduled next week with Representative Kilmer

Representative Derek Kilmer will hold his third telephone town hall with residents on Wednesday, October 2nd at 6pm. Anyone on the call will have the opportunity to ask Kilmer a question or leave a message with their questions or comments.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty regarding budget issues in our nation’s capital right now and I want to make sure my constituents have an opportunity to speak with me about these important issues and more – even when I’m in DC,” said Representative Kilmer. “I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss why I believe that Congress needs to pass a real, bipartisan, long term budget.”

Residents of the 6th District, including Gray Harbor, who would like to join the call can sign up at http://kilmer.house.gov/contact/townhall or send an email with their phone number to kilmer.teletownhall@mail.house.gov with their name and phone number by noon on Tuesday October 1st.

Residents who sign up before the deadline will receive a phone call at 6pm on Wednesday, October 2nd inviting them to the town hall.

In nine months since taking office, Representative Kilmer has held seven in-person town halls across the region, in addition to town halls via phone and internet.