Snow, wind, extreme cold on tap for Camas-Washougal area this weekend

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for the greater Vancouver metro area, including Camas-Washougal, from 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, through 4 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. 

The NWS expects “blizzard conditions” with heavy snow and blowing snow expected to fall throughout the day Saturday, with a possible accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. 

Saturday should prove to be a cold, blustery day, according to the NWS, with winds gusting as fast as 50 miles per hour near the Columbia River Gorge and wind chills causing temperatures to plummet as low as 10 degree below zero. 

“Plan on slippery road conditions,” the NWS warned Vancouver-area residents Friday, Jan. 12. “Patchy blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility, especially near the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge.”
The weather forecasters said strong winds could cause tree damage and that the extreme temperatures “could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.”
For the latest road conditions, call 511 or visit wsdot.com/travel/real-time/map to see Washington state roads, or tripcheck.com to view Oregon roads. 

City of Camas issues ‘snow and ice map’

The city of Camas has put together a “snow and ice map 2024” to remind residents how the City organizes its winter storm preparations and showing which roads are closed during snow and ice events, and priority roads for the City’s snow-plowing crews. 

“The City currently has six vehicles with snowplows; some with solid deicer and sand dispersing capabilities, and two with liquid deicing to maintain the priority routes,” the City explained on the snow and ice map. “Unfortunately, this equipment is not enough to keep all City streets maintained during a sustained snow or ice event. As such, the City has prioritized the main transportation routes that provide for emergency response service and that help move citizens, goods and services throughout the City.”

The City said non-priority roads will be plowed after the priority roads have been serviced or in the event of an emergency. Residents are asked to avoid parking on priority roads “as it makes removal of snow and ice more difficult” and said the City will “tow abandoned vehicles that pose a danger to the mobility or servicing of the emergency routes.”

To view the map, visit cityofcamas.us/sites/default/files/fileattachments/public_works/page/29373/snowandice.pdf

Council for Homeless coordinates countywide shelter response

The Clark County Council for the Homeless issued a severe weather alert this week, for Friday through Tuesday, Jan. 12-16, and said winter-weather shelters will increase capacity during the cold-weather event. 

 “Our goal is to ensure each person without a home in our community is safe and inside,” Sunny Wonder, deputy director for the Council for the Homeless, stated in a news release. “Each day, the homeless response system operates with limited resources to meet the needs of the community. During a winter storm, service providers leverage any and all resources to keep people safe.” 

Winter shelters can be accessed by calling the Council for the Homeless Housing Hotline between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays, and between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on holidays, at 360-695-9677. 

Walk-in shelters also are available, including the Refuel Washougal overnight shelter, at 1681 “C” St., Washougal, which will accept walk–ins from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 12-13 , and the Living Hope Church, at 2711 N.E. Andresen Road, Vancouver, which will open to walk-ins from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday through Sunday, Jan. 12-14.

Kaiser Permanente weighs in with winter-weather safety tips

Kaiser Permanente Northwest issued a news release Friday to help residents prevent winter weather related injuries during the storm, and warned that even doing common activities such as shoveling snow in icy, extreme cold weather can lead to injuries and health emergencies. 

“Slippery sidewalks and frigid temperatures can lead to a surge in winter-related injuries,” Dr. Anne Toledo, Kaiser Permanente Northwest’s chief of urgent care stated in the news release. “I see injuries from slipping and falling on ice to back injuries from shoveling snow. In fact, shoveling snow can trigger heart attacks in some people due to the combination of strenuous physical activity, cold temperatures constricting blood vessels, and increased strain on the heart.”

Kaiser Permanente health practitioners said “taking proactive measures  to prevent falls, bundling up against the cold, exercising caution when navigating icy surfaces and checking on neighbors can help keep (Washingtonians) safe this season.” 

“If you are middle-aged or older, sedentary or have chronic health problems, check with your doctor before doing any snow removal, and consider asking a neighbor for help or hiring someone to do the work for you,” Kaiser Permanente stated.