Report home and business flood damages
Online at Whatcom County Emergency Management website
Or call (360) 778-8500 starting 12:00 p.m. on Jan 13th
As the flood waters recede, home and business owners in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom County are encouraged to report damages and economic losses experienced during flooding in early January.
Whatcom County and its local jurisdictions have established a shared system to collect damage reports from city, county and tribal residents and business owners.
For more information about reporting flood damage and losses, call (360) 778-8500 or visit the Whatcom County website at www.whatcomcounty.us, where you’ll find forms, instructions and FAQs.
Damage reports will be forwarded to the State for verification, and may lead to a request for Federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration.
Flood recovery: safety, health and other tips
Were you impacted by early January floods? Whatcom County Emergency Management has posted a comprehensive website with health and safety tips, reporting instructions and forms, FAQs and more.
Whatcom County Emergency Management website
City of Bellingham flood updates
City Council flood update meeting video - Jan 12, 2009 (WMV)
City Council flood update meeting video - Jan 7, 2009 (WMV)
City of Bellingham news releases
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Citizen's Guide to the 2009 Washington State Legislative Session
Today is the first day of the 2009 Washington State Legislative Session. We have a number of New members for 2009 session, including State Senator Kevin Ranker, D-40th.
Latte Republic wishes our newest Senator a successful and productive legislative session!
Today's session activities can be viewed at TV Washington
Want to know more about the Washington State Budget? Background information and documents can be found at: State Budget Documents
Today's calendar can be found here: Agendas, Schedules and Calendars
Below, are links to information that can help citizens access information about bills and the legislature. The links will take you directly to the appropriate government site.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How does a bill become a law?
How do I contact my legislators?
Can I leave messages for members with the Support account?
How do I contact legislative staff?
How do I find e-mail addresses for members of Congress and the U.S. Senate?
How do I contact the Governor?
How do I contact an agency of the Washington State government?
Will you e-mail information to me?
I'd like to review a member's voting record.
I'd like some information on the initiative and referendum process.
How do I find a law on a particular topic?
How do I download a whole chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or Washington Administrative Code?
I want to visit Olympia and observe the Legislature in session. Where do I park? What time do sessions convene? How can I find out what is scheduled to be heard or debated?
Can I get information from previous sessions?
How often are the Revised Code of Washington (RCW)and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)updated?
How does a bill become a law?
LEGInfo provides several files that describe the legislative process.
Legislative Process Overview
How a Bill Becomes a Law, short version
Students' Page version
Glossary of Legislative Terms
How do I contact my legislators?
You have several options for contacting your state Representatives and Senators.
E-mail from their individual home pages or from the e-mail address lists provided by the House and Senate.
The toll-free in-state Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000.
Their Olympia phone numbers as published in the House and Senate rosters.
The U.S. Postal Service.
Mail to House members should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable Representative John Doe
Washington State House of Representatives
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98502-0600
Mail to Senate members should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable Senator Jane Doe
Washington State Senate
P.O. Box 40482
Olympia, WA 98502-0482
Members want to hear from their constituents and welcome your contacting them. They are very busy, especially during the session, so it is wise to follow a few simple guidelines.
Try the members who represent you first. If you do not know which district you live in, go to Find Your Legislator.
State your opinion or issue directly and politely. Have all your facts in hand.
If you wish to visit a member, make an appointment by calling the Olympia office number.
Can I leave messages for members with the Support account?
The best thing to do is to contact a member yourself using the e-mail, Hotline, phone, and mail options described above. The Support account does not forward messages to members.
How do I contact legislative staff?
You may contact legislative staff by phone.
Use the following numbers:
House of Representatives: (360)786-7750
House Office of Program Research (House Committee Services): (360)786-7200
Senate: (360) 786-7550
Senate Committee Services: (360) 786-7400
The Support account does not forward e-mail to legislative staff.
How do I find e-mail addresses for members of Congress and the U.S. Senate?
For U.S. Representatives, go to the directory of web sites of members by state of the U.S. House.For U.S. Senators, go to the directory of web sites of members by state for the U.S. Senate.
How do I contact the Governor?
Go to the Governor's Contact page. That page provides a link to the Governor's e-mail form, the mailing address, and the phone number.
How do I contact an agency of the Washington State government?
Most state agencies provide information on the Internet. Go to Access Washington for the state government's portal. That page provides a search feature ("Ask George") and indexes arranged by agency and subject.
If you know the person you wish to reach, use Access Washington's State Employee Directory.
Will you e-mail information to me?
The Legislative Information Center will be happy to e-mail information to you. Contact them at support@leg.wa.gov or at the Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000.
Want to review a member's voting record?
The voting records of House members become available following the session. Connect to the individual member's home page and click the Voting Record link.
LEGInfo does not provide access to the voting records of Senate members. Contact the Secretary of the Senate at 360.786.7550 for a Senator's voting record.
I'd like some information on the initiative and referendum process.
The Secretary of State provides the best set of information on initiatives and referenda. The web page provides the text of the initiatives, names of the sponsors, and the ballot titles, and an overview of the initiative and referendum process.
How do I find law on a particular topic?
Use the LEGInfo Search feature. You can search for information on
Attorney General Opinions, Amendments, Bills, and Bill Reports for the current session and Amendments, Bills, and Bill Reports for the previous biennium.
Legislative Ethics Board Opinions
Executive Orders
Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
Washington State Registers
Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
How do I print a whole chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or Washington Administrative Code?
To find a chapter of the RCW or WAC
Click Laws and Agency Rules.
Click the link to "Revised Code of Washington by Title" or "Washington Administrative Code".
Click the link for the desired title.
Click the link for the desired chapter.
Click the link at the top of the subsequent page that says "Complete Chapter."
LEGInfo does not support viewing or printing an entire title.
I would like to visit Olympia and observe the Legislature in session. Where do I park? What time do sessions convene? How can I find out what is scheduled to be heard or debated?
In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is in session from the second Monday in January until the fourth Sunday in April (105 days). In the even-numbered years, the Legislature is in session from the second Monday in January and goes for 60 days.
Parking on the Capitol Campus is scarce, and locations may change because of the construction related to the renovation of the John A. Cherberg Building.
The daily session start time varies, and, in fact, sometimes they come in just do some paperwork. If you want to see them debate bills, keep an eye on the Session Cutoff Calendar to find out when the cutoffs are, and come the week after committee cutoff. They usually start around 10:00 a.m. that week. You may also view or listen to committee on floor proceedings on the TVW web site.
You have options for checking the agendas for the floor sessions (also known as calendars):
Meeting Schedules
House Floor Activity Report
Senate Floor Activity Report
If you would like to sit in on a committee meeting, the Agendas, Schedules and Calendars page lets you know which committees are meeting on a particular date, and where. The first part of the Daily Schedule tells you when they are scheduled to come into general session and whether or not it is merely a pro forma session to handle some paperwork.
Can I get information from previous sessions?
LEGInfo provides access to bills and related documents back to 1997, from the Bill Information page. For information before 1997, contact the Legislative Information Center at 360.786.7573.
How often are the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) updated?
The RCW is updated once a year, usually late summer or early fall. It may also be updated following the General Election, if an initiative that changed the law was adopted by the people.
The WAC is updated every two weeks.
Glossary of Terms
Comments about this site
Privacy Notice
Accessibility Information
Disclaimer
Many thanks to the WA State Legislature for organizing this information for citizens!
:)
Latte Republic wishes our newest Senator a successful and productive legislative session!
Today's session activities can be viewed at TV Washington
Want to know more about the Washington State Budget? Background information and documents can be found at: State Budget Documents
Today's calendar can be found here: Agendas, Schedules and Calendars
Below, are links to information that can help citizens access information about bills and the legislature. The links will take you directly to the appropriate government site.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How does a bill become a law?
How do I contact my legislators?
Can I leave messages for members with the Support account?
How do I contact legislative staff?
How do I find e-mail addresses for members of Congress and the U.S. Senate?
How do I contact the Governor?
How do I contact an agency of the Washington State government?
Will you e-mail information to me?
I'd like to review a member's voting record.
I'd like some information on the initiative and referendum process.
How do I find a law on a particular topic?
How do I download a whole chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or Washington Administrative Code?
I want to visit Olympia and observe the Legislature in session. Where do I park? What time do sessions convene? How can I find out what is scheduled to be heard or debated?
Can I get information from previous sessions?
How often are the Revised Code of Washington (RCW)and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)updated?
How does a bill become a law?
LEGInfo provides several files that describe the legislative process.
Legislative Process Overview
How a Bill Becomes a Law, short version
Students' Page version
Glossary of Legislative Terms
How do I contact my legislators?
You have several options for contacting your state Representatives and Senators.
E-mail from their individual home pages or from the e-mail address lists provided by the House and Senate.
The toll-free in-state Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000.
Their Olympia phone numbers as published in the House and Senate rosters.
The U.S. Postal Service.
Mail to House members should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable Representative John Doe
Washington State House of Representatives
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98502-0600
Mail to Senate members should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable Senator Jane Doe
Washington State Senate
P.O. Box 40482
Olympia, WA 98502-0482
Members want to hear from their constituents and welcome your contacting them. They are very busy, especially during the session, so it is wise to follow a few simple guidelines.
Try the members who represent you first. If you do not know which district you live in, go to Find Your Legislator.
State your opinion or issue directly and politely. Have all your facts in hand.
If you wish to visit a member, make an appointment by calling the Olympia office number.
Can I leave messages for members with the Support account?
The best thing to do is to contact a member yourself using the e-mail, Hotline, phone, and mail options described above. The Support account does not forward messages to members.
How do I contact legislative staff?
You may contact legislative staff by phone.
Use the following numbers:
House of Representatives: (360)786-7750
House Office of Program Research (House Committee Services): (360)786-7200
Senate: (360) 786-7550
Senate Committee Services: (360) 786-7400
The Support account does not forward e-mail to legislative staff.
How do I find e-mail addresses for members of Congress and the U.S. Senate?
For U.S. Representatives, go to the directory of web sites of members by state of the U.S. House.For U.S. Senators, go to the directory of web sites of members by state for the U.S. Senate.
How do I contact the Governor?
Go to the Governor's Contact page. That page provides a link to the Governor's e-mail form, the mailing address, and the phone number.
How do I contact an agency of the Washington State government?
Most state agencies provide information on the Internet. Go to Access Washington for the state government's portal. That page provides a search feature ("Ask George") and indexes arranged by agency and subject.
If you know the person you wish to reach, use Access Washington's State Employee Directory.
Will you e-mail information to me?
The Legislative Information Center will be happy to e-mail information to you. Contact them at support@leg.wa.gov or at the Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000.
Want to review a member's voting record?
The voting records of House members become available following the session. Connect to the individual member's home page and click the Voting Record link.
LEGInfo does not provide access to the voting records of Senate members. Contact the Secretary of the Senate at 360.786.7550 for a Senator's voting record.
I'd like some information on the initiative and referendum process.
The Secretary of State provides the best set of information on initiatives and referenda. The web page provides the text of the initiatives, names of the sponsors, and the ballot titles, and an overview of the initiative and referendum process.
How do I find law on a particular topic?
Use the LEGInfo Search feature. You can search for information on
Attorney General Opinions, Amendments, Bills, and Bill Reports for the current session and Amendments, Bills, and Bill Reports for the previous biennium.
Legislative Ethics Board Opinions
Executive Orders
Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
Washington State Registers
Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
How do I print a whole chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or Washington Administrative Code?
To find a chapter of the RCW or WAC
Click Laws and Agency Rules.
Click the link to "Revised Code of Washington by Title" or "Washington Administrative Code".
Click the link for the desired title.
Click the link for the desired chapter.
Click the link at the top of the subsequent page that says "Complete Chapter."
LEGInfo does not support viewing or printing an entire title.
I would like to visit Olympia and observe the Legislature in session. Where do I park? What time do sessions convene? How can I find out what is scheduled to be heard or debated?
In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is in session from the second Monday in January until the fourth Sunday in April (105 days). In the even-numbered years, the Legislature is in session from the second Monday in January and goes for 60 days.
Parking on the Capitol Campus is scarce, and locations may change because of the construction related to the renovation of the John A. Cherberg Building.
The daily session start time varies, and, in fact, sometimes they come in just do some paperwork. If you want to see them debate bills, keep an eye on the Session Cutoff Calendar to find out when the cutoffs are, and come the week after committee cutoff. They usually start around 10:00 a.m. that week. You may also view or listen to committee on floor proceedings on the TVW web site.
You have options for checking the agendas for the floor sessions (also known as calendars):
Meeting Schedules
House Floor Activity Report
Senate Floor Activity Report
If you would like to sit in on a committee meeting, the Agendas, Schedules and Calendars page lets you know which committees are meeting on a particular date, and where. The first part of the Daily Schedule tells you when they are scheduled to come into general session and whether or not it is merely a pro forma session to handle some paperwork.
Can I get information from previous sessions?
LEGInfo provides access to bills and related documents back to 1997, from the Bill Information page. For information before 1997, contact the Legislative Information Center at 360.786.7573.
How often are the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) updated?
The RCW is updated once a year, usually late summer or early fall. It may also be updated following the General Election, if an initiative that changed the law was adopted by the people.
The WAC is updated every two weeks.
Glossary of Terms
Comments about this site
Privacy Notice
Accessibility Information
Disclaimer
Many thanks to the WA State Legislature for organizing this information for citizens!
:)
Friday, January 9, 2009
Newsweek Contest: Help Bush and Cheney find a new career
Newsweek is having a contest to design a new set of career clothes for President Bush and Vice President Cheney.
The template download is at the link posted below.
Creativity is valued over artistic skill!
http://www.newsweek.com/media/99/GiveTheseMenAJob.jpg
Completed drawings should be e-mailed to NwkBushCheneyJob@gmail.com by January 20, 2009.
Please include a brief description about the career and why you think your recommendation is the right career choice for the President and Vice President.
The link to the article can be accessed by clicking the title of this post.
Have fun!
The template download is at the link posted below.
Creativity is valued over artistic skill!
http://www.newsweek.com/media/99/GiveTheseMenAJob.jpg
Completed drawings should be e-mailed to NwkBushCheneyJob@gmail.com by January 20, 2009.
Please include a brief description about the career and why you think your recommendation is the right career choice for the President and Vice President.
The link to the article can be accessed by clicking the title of this post.
Have fun!
Illinois House impeaches Blagojevich with a vote of 114 to 1
The Illinois House of Representatives voted 114 to 1 to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich.
The vote sets up a Senate trial on whether Blagojevich should be thrown out of office for abuse of power.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28539642
The vote sets up a Senate trial on whether Blagojevich should be thrown out of office for abuse of power.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28539642
Thursday, January 8, 2009
City, County form a joint emergency operations center
Before and After
THINK before you attempt to drive through water covering a road. People drown in washouts like the one pictured above because they don't see the damage hidden by the water running across the road. If the road is closed, it's because the road has been damaged by flood waters. Obey road closed and cautionary signs.
Thursday: Whatcom County and City of Bellingham set up a joint emergency operations center at 9 pm last night to respond to flooding and other hazards resulting from the heavy rains and snow.
Small creeks and drainages swelled overnight and overtopped numerous roads forcing city, county and state authorities to close them and reroute drivers around the hazards.
There has been no report of injuries, however there are residents sheltering in place and authorities are in contact with those residents to make sure they remain safe.
Whatcom County residents are asked to avoid driving through any water. The force of this water can be extremely strong and dangerous.
*
Watch out for workers in the roadway.
Watch out for workers in the roadway.
*
Please be Courteous to workers.
*
I have lost count of how many times I have been hit with a wall of water caused by a passing motorist who has no respect for someone working in a flood zone.
*
I'm beginning to think that Bellingham drivers are the rudest people in the world.
*
Remember, your neighbors, county and city workers are cleaning ditches and culverts to protect property and streets from flooding.
*
Give us all a break!
Report landslides, flooded roadways or other hazards to the Joint
Emergency Operations Center at 676-6681
Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies
Whatcom County Emergency Management Website: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/dem/index.jsp
If you need sandbags, call the county or city. They can tell you where to pick them up.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Flooding and Emergency Planning - Bellingham style
* Update at 4:23 pm
I want to thank the two city employees who worked tirelessly today to assist Silver Beach residents along the lake.
They brought signs, sandbags, and helped families who already have serious damage prepare a layer of defense for the storm that is forecasted for tonight.
The neighbors turned out and we have clean ditches and repaired culverts. Most of us exchanged names and telephone numbers so we can respond quickly in the event of another flash flood.
We have some pretty amazing city employees!
Thank you!
:)
_________________
Some communities, especially those that live near the Nooksack River, have considerable experience with flooding. Other communities do not.
The communities that have experience with flooding can respond immediately to flood hazards. They have emergency management plans to assist them in a flood event.
Last night, many parts of Bellingham experienced significant flooding. My son described scenes of storm water drains spouting like geysers and numerous flooded streets when he returned home from work.
Closer to home, parts of North Shore Drive experienced serious flooding from urban streams and stormwater runoff.
In our neighborhood, one home appears to have sustained serious structural damage and many others have erosion or other forms of water damage to their property.
The source of the flooding in our neighborhood was the Academy Road stormwater catch basin. In a matter of hours, it became a boiling cauldron of water that breached its banks and flooded an entire city block. It's head waters are the ditches along Toad Lake and Academy Roads.
One block north, Silver Beach Creek, another boiling cauldron, flooded the roads and neighborhoods in and around the S curves of North Shore Drive. It is impossible for any of us to estimate how much sediment was transported into the lake from the flooding.
We called the city, but there was no one that could help us. I find that somewhat ironic, since last year the Silver Beach Neighborhood Association applied for a simple community grant to draft an emergency management plan to deal with natural and man made disasters.
Unfortunately, that grant application was turned down by Mayor Pike.
Last night, those of us who live along North Shore discovered that we are the first responders during a flash flood emergency.
So, without further ado, here's what individuals can do to protect life and property. (Info courtesy of the City of New Orleans flood preparation website).
BEFORE THE FLOOD:
Be prepared. If danger of flooding exists, be prepared to move to a place of safety. This is especially true if you live close or below an urban stream or stormwater catch basin.
Know your evacuation routes:
Keep your automobile fueled.
Store drinking water:
Water service may be interrupted, or your water source contaminated.
Be Prepared:
Secure flammables and toxic chemicals in a dry, secure place above the reach of flood waters. Make sure containers are sealed tight. Have sandbags on the property if there is a chance you will need them.
Be Informed:
Keep a NOAA Weather Radio, a battery-powered portable radio, emergency cooking equipment, and flashlights in working order.
Day of the Flood:
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR: Radio or TV warnings of Flash floods or flooding events.
But don't be overly dependent on warnings. As we learned last night, a flash flood can occur without warning. We didn't know that we were in danger until we heard and saw the water rushing across North Shore Drive and low lying property.
Take necessary precautions at once. If you need to evacuate, do so immediately.
Urban and Small Streams can become deadly within a short period of time.
Flooding of ditches, streets, and low-lying areas, such as underpasses and urban storm drains can cause significant damage to roads, preventing escape.
The rule for being safe in a flooding situation is simple: HEAD FOR HIGHER GROUND AND STAY AWAY FROM FLOOD WATER.
Be alert to the signs of flash flooding and be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. The moment you realize that a flash flood is imminent, act quickly to save yourself.
Take the time to check on your neighbors. If they are asleep. Wake them up. If they are disabled, elderly or alone, make sure they are in a safe location.
Avoid already flooded and high velocity flow areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams or ditches.
If driving, be aware that the road bed may not be intact under flood waters. If you encounter water running over the road, turn around and go another way. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf your vehicle and its occupants and sweep them away.
Remember, it's better to be wet than dead! Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
Use flashlights, not lanterns, torches, or matches, to examine buildings. Last night, we found flammables tipped over inside a structure. An open flame may have started a fire.
Report chemical spills and broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.
After the damage:
Contact your insurance agent. Take photos or videotape of your home and belongings. Separate damaged and undamaged belongings. Locate your financial records. Keep detailed records of cleanup cost.
Preventing future damage:
Call your city and county legislators and ask them to address flooding issues in your area. Someone shouldn't have to die or lose a house to force the city or county to protect property owners from damage.
I want to thank the two city employees who worked tirelessly today to assist Silver Beach residents along the lake.
They brought signs, sandbags, and helped families who already have serious damage prepare a layer of defense for the storm that is forecasted for tonight.
The neighbors turned out and we have clean ditches and repaired culverts. Most of us exchanged names and telephone numbers so we can respond quickly in the event of another flash flood.
We have some pretty amazing city employees!
Thank you!
:)
_________________
Some communities, especially those that live near the Nooksack River, have considerable experience with flooding. Other communities do not.
The communities that have experience with flooding can respond immediately to flood hazards. They have emergency management plans to assist them in a flood event.
Last night, many parts of Bellingham experienced significant flooding. My son described scenes of storm water drains spouting like geysers and numerous flooded streets when he returned home from work.
Closer to home, parts of North Shore Drive experienced serious flooding from urban streams and stormwater runoff.
In our neighborhood, one home appears to have sustained serious structural damage and many others have erosion or other forms of water damage to their property.
The source of the flooding in our neighborhood was the Academy Road stormwater catch basin. In a matter of hours, it became a boiling cauldron of water that breached its banks and flooded an entire city block. It's head waters are the ditches along Toad Lake and Academy Roads.
One block north, Silver Beach Creek, another boiling cauldron, flooded the roads and neighborhoods in and around the S curves of North Shore Drive. It is impossible for any of us to estimate how much sediment was transported into the lake from the flooding.
We called the city, but there was no one that could help us. I find that somewhat ironic, since last year the Silver Beach Neighborhood Association applied for a simple community grant to draft an emergency management plan to deal with natural and man made disasters.
Unfortunately, that grant application was turned down by Mayor Pike.
Last night, those of us who live along North Shore discovered that we are the first responders during a flash flood emergency.
So, without further ado, here's what individuals can do to protect life and property. (Info courtesy of the City of New Orleans flood preparation website).
BEFORE THE FLOOD:
Be prepared. If danger of flooding exists, be prepared to move to a place of safety. This is especially true if you live close or below an urban stream or stormwater catch basin.
Know your evacuation routes:
Keep your automobile fueled.
Store drinking water:
Water service may be interrupted, or your water source contaminated.
Be Prepared:
Secure flammables and toxic chemicals in a dry, secure place above the reach of flood waters. Make sure containers are sealed tight. Have sandbags on the property if there is a chance you will need them.
Be Informed:
Keep a NOAA Weather Radio, a battery-powered portable radio, emergency cooking equipment, and flashlights in working order.
Day of the Flood:
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR: Radio or TV warnings of Flash floods or flooding events.
But don't be overly dependent on warnings. As we learned last night, a flash flood can occur without warning. We didn't know that we were in danger until we heard and saw the water rushing across North Shore Drive and low lying property.
Take necessary precautions at once. If you need to evacuate, do so immediately.
Urban and Small Streams can become deadly within a short period of time.
Flooding of ditches, streets, and low-lying areas, such as underpasses and urban storm drains can cause significant damage to roads, preventing escape.
The rule for being safe in a flooding situation is simple: HEAD FOR HIGHER GROUND AND STAY AWAY FROM FLOOD WATER.
Be alert to the signs of flash flooding and be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. The moment you realize that a flash flood is imminent, act quickly to save yourself.
Take the time to check on your neighbors. If they are asleep. Wake them up. If they are disabled, elderly or alone, make sure they are in a safe location.
Avoid already flooded and high velocity flow areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams or ditches.
If driving, be aware that the road bed may not be intact under flood waters. If you encounter water running over the road, turn around and go another way. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf your vehicle and its occupants and sweep them away.
Remember, it's better to be wet than dead! Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
Use flashlights, not lanterns, torches, or matches, to examine buildings. Last night, we found flammables tipped over inside a structure. An open flame may have started a fire.
Report chemical spills and broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.
After the damage:
Contact your insurance agent. Take photos or videotape of your home and belongings. Separate damaged and undamaged belongings. Locate your financial records. Keep detailed records of cleanup cost.
Preventing future damage:
Call your city and county legislators and ask them to address flooding issues in your area. Someone shouldn't have to die or lose a house to force the city or county to protect property owners from damage.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Roland Burris Rejected by the U.S. Senate
"What's the Constitution among friends?" - George Washington Plunkitt of Tammany Hall
U.S. Senate Democrats warned Burris that he would be turned away if he showed up without the signature of the Illinois Secretary of State - and that's exactly what happened.
President elect Obama and Democrats have stated that any candidate appointed by Blagojveich would lack credibility.
Roland Burris is claiming that he was turned away because of his race. He is considering filing a federal discrimination lawsuit to force the Senate to seat him.
Some conservative and liberal experts agree that not seating Burris First Read: Some legal experts back Burris could create a dangerous precedent that could harm the future integrity of the Senate.
Liberal point of view: Los Angeles Times Professor Erwin Chemerinsky argues, "Allowing the Senate to exclude Burris on any except the narrowest of grounds would create a dangerous precedent. It could open the door to the Senate or the House overturning the will of the people and excluding representatives under one or another pretext. If Burris -- whose appointment meets the legal test, no matter what you think of Blagojevich -- is not seated, other properly elected or appointed representatives also are at risk."
* Erwin Chemerinsky is the dean of the UC Irvine School of Law.
Conservative point of view: Washington Times, Bruce Fein argues that Blagojeich is still the Governor and has the legal power to appoint Obama's replacement.
*Bruce Fein is a constitutional lawyer with Bruce Fein & Associates Inc. and author of "Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for our Constitution and Democracy."
The MSNBC story can be read here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28507873?GT1=43001
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