Alert Me is here!  Register now to receive emergency alerts direct to your cell phone at  www.lcog.org/alertme.   For more information click on Frequently Asked Questions

Vacation Safe this Summer

If travelling to a hurricane prone state – especially coastal states – this Memorial Day Weekend, or any time during the summer into the early fall, be sure to familiarize yourself with the emergency plans of the community in which you’re vacationing. All hotels and motels should have emergency plans in place for sheltering and/or evacuation – ask to see them upon check-in. Remember, hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes and rip currents. If you’re driving, be sure to have emergency supplies in your car, such as, a flashlight, water and a first aid kit. Be mindful that coastal areas are prone to severe flooding – so know the evacuation routes in your vacation spot and always remember if you come upon a flooded roadway in your vehicle, Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

Open for Comment:  Lane County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan

Open for Comment:  Continuous
Lane County Emergency Management has opened for comment the 2011 Update to the Lane County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (Plan Update).  The purpose of the Plan Update is to present the accomplishments of the past five years and to outline mitigation actions for the next five years (see 2006 Action Item Update Overview section in Plan Update document).  Also in the Plan Update is an overview of the many potential hazards that could occur in Lane County.  Being aware of local hazards is one of the best tools the public can use to become better prepared for unexpected hazardous incidents. 

 The preparation of the Plan Update demonstrates Lane County’s commitment to reduce the public’s and built environment’s vulnerability to natural and human-caused hazards.  Public input to this Plan Update is highly regarded as key to ensuring the Plan Update’s relevance to the community and long-term effectiveness.  Please take a moment to review and comment on the plan.

To view or download the Executive Summary click here
To view or download the entire Plan Update click here
To view or download Addendum click here

According to an ongoing study at the University of Hawaii, light floatable materials from the Japan tsunami should start arriving on the West coast in 2013. The environmental damage is projected to be minimal since most oils and chemicals will disperse, evaporate, or sink long before they could reach our coast. Moreover, most of the heavier objects displaced by the tsunami will similarly sink before they can cross the entirety of the Pacific.

The following are two NOAA websites that will provide you with information on Japan Tsunami Marine Debris.

1.    Tracking Marine Debris from the Japanese Tsunami - http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/features/dec11/japan-tsunami-debris.html - 

2.    Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris:  Anticipating and Mitgating Its Impacts on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands - December 12, 2011 webinar - http://marineaffairs.org/webinars.html -

How to Prepare for a Flood

Part of what makes Lane County so beautiful is its magnificent rivers and streams.  From the massive Willamette and McKenzie river systems to the smaller rivers like Blue River, Row River and Siuslaw River we have unmatched beauty and a recreational wonderland.  But with all that water comes the risk of flooding in any given year.

Fortunately, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has dams here to help lessen the risk of flooding.  Learn more about the dams by watching this video:  Willamette Valley Dams

To learn how to prepare for a flood, click here.  Why wait until it's too late?  Give yourself peace of mind by getting and staying prepared.

Current Information regarding January Storm

A lot of work is underway to recover from the storm that whipped through Lane County in mid-January.  To better understand the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs that may be able to assist our community click here. 

We are still collecting storm damage reports at www.lanecounty.org/damages.  The phone bank operation has ended and no more damage reports will be received by telephone.

The NFIP flood insurance pays up to $1,000 for loss avoidance measures. Those with flood insurance can take advantage of this benefit even if their home or business did not actually flood.  Contact your insurance agent for claim information.  Shown below is language taken from the NFIP Dwelling Policy:

     2. Loss Avoidance Measures 
        a. Sandbags, Supplies, and Labor 
            (1) We will pay up to $1,000 for costs you incur to protect the insured building from a flood or imminent danger of flood, for the following: 
                   (a) Your reasonable expenses to buy:     
                       (i) Sandbags, including sand to fill them; 
                       (ii) Fill for temporary levees; 
                       (iii) Pumps; and 
                       (iv) Plastic sheeting and lumber used in connection with these items. 
                    (b) The value of work, at the Federal minimum wage, that you or a member of your household perform. 
            (2) This coverage for Sandbags, Supplies, and Labor applies only if damage to insured property by or from flood is imminent, and the threat of flood damage is apparent enough to lead a person of common prudence to anticipate flood damage. One of the following must also occur:
                    (a) A general and temporary condition of flooding in the area near the described location must occur, even if the flood does not reach the insured building; or     
                   (b) A legally authorized official must issue an evacuation order or other civil order for the community in which the insured building is located calling for measures to preserve life and property from the peril of flood.
This coverage does not increase the Coverage A or Coverage B limit of liability. 

        b. Property Removed to Safety 
            (1) We will pay up to $1,000 for the reasonable expenses you incur to move insured property to a place other than the described location that contains the property in order to protect it from flood or the imminent danger of flood.