Drought Emergency Declared in Oregon

Oregon counties facing dry conditions and low snowpack

Gov. Brown has declared a drought emergency in Malheur and Lake counties due to dry conditions, low snowpack, and lack of precipitation, said her office in a statement.

“Projected forecasts for Malheur and Lake counties look bleak, meaning these rural communities will continue to experience severe drought conditions,”said Brown. “In addition to creating an increased wildfire risk, this drought presents hardships to crops, agriculture, communities, recreation, and wildlife, all of which rely on Oregon’s water resources. I will continue working with federal, state, and local partners to help Oregonians in this part of the state through this challenging situation.”

“Projected forecasts for Malheur and Lake counties look bleak, meaning these rural communities will continue to experience severe drought conditions,” she said.

“In addition to creating an increased wildfire risk, this drought presents hardships to crops, agriculture, communities, recreation, and wildlife, all of which rely on Oregon’s water resources. I will continue working with federal, state, and local partners to help Oregonians in this part of the state through this challenging situation.”

Executive Order on Drought Emergency: http://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executive_orders/eo_15-02.pdf

Drought Emergency in Washington State

Brown’s Executive Order on Drought Emergency follows Washington state Governor Inslee’s drought emergency declaration for three key regions across the state last week.

Inslee declared a drought emergency for the Olympic Peninsula, and the east side of the central Cascade Mountains including Yakima and Wenatchee, as well as the Walla Walla region.

“We can’t wait any longer, we have to prepare now for drought conditions that are in store for much of the state. Snowpack is at record lows, and we have farms, vital agricultural regions, communities and fish that are going to need our support.”

Snowpack is only 7 percent of normal in the Olympic Mountains. It ranges from 8 to 45 percent of normal across the Cascades, and 67 percent of normal in the Walla Walla region.

With snowpack statewide averaging only 27 percent of normal, 34 of the state’s 62 watersheds are expected to receive less than normal water supplies.

Major Disaster Declared for Maine

‘Vacationland’ Declared a Federal Disaster Area

Maine Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (DR-4208)

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Maine in the areas affected by a severe winter storm, snowstorm, and flooding during the period of January 26-28, 2015.

Most of the damage caused by the severe winter storm, snowstorm, and flooding occurred in the counties of Androscoggin, Cumberland, and York.

The Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Related Links

• Major Disaster Declared for Vermont February 4, 2015
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

FIRE-EARTH Alert – WWKKRRHH

CORRECTION

CJ Members:

Fire-Earth Alert: WWKKRRHH

Details of the Alert ‘WWKKRRHH’ will be broadcast on FIRE-EARTH Channels on March 18, 2015 at the following times:

• 07:32, 08:32, 09:32UTC