The Lewis County Division of Emergency Management is updating the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The plan is meant to identify risks and ways to minimize damage from natural disasters while also aiding in setting local policies for hazard mitigation capability. The department also intends for the plan to provide disaster response coordination among various agencies. According to Erika Katt, an emergency management planner with Emergency Management, the department has been working on its plan since April 2022.
As part of the department’s effort, it has developed a hazard mitigation plan story map and survey as a comprehensive interactive resource. Users can find the latest on the developing plan, learn about the locations of natural hazards in Lewis County and find what hazards may affect their homes or communities.
“This is something everyone should be doing at their homes — when you identify a problem, you work to fix that problem,” said Ross McDowell, Lewis County Emergency Management deputy director. “Mitigation is how we can fix some of the impacts pertaining to flooding, earthquakes and other natural events.”
The natural disasters that could affect Lewis County vary by region, with the scope of some hazards being uncertain. For example, consultants working with the county have said an earthquake-caused lahar or mudflow from Mount Rainier or Mount Adams could affect East Lewis County. But the consultants added that while a mudflow from Mount Rainier would probably be stopped by the Mossyrock Dam, a breach could result in areas as far west as Toledo being impacted. Models also show a lahar from Mount Adams could move to Riffe Lake.
Katt told The Chronicle there are eight main natural hazards the department has incorporated into its plan. The eight hazards Katt mentioned were avalanches; dam or levee failure; earthquakes; severe weather such as wind, lightning, ice storms and extreme temperature; flooding; landslides; volcanos; and wildfires. According to Katt, modeling shows those eight hazards are the primary natural threats to Lewis County.
Katt said the department has been going to different communities and speaking to residents about what they are doing to plan for natural disasters.
One way Lewis County residents can learn about the natural disasters that are most likely to affect them is to look at the department’s map.
“It’s great to look at that map,” Katt said.
The map allows residents to see the different hazards that could affect their home by using layers they can add or remove. Katt cautioned the layers aren’t perfect.
“These layers aren’t exact,” Katt said.
In addition to looking at the map, Katt urged people to fill out the department’s survey. Katt told The Chronicle survey replies help the department see how prepared Lewis County is for natural disasters and what kinds of effects people are concerned about. Katt also said survey replies also help the department know what it should do to be prepared.
To view the map or take the department’s survey, visit https://bit.ly/3IlCI3x.
Those who have questions regarding emergency preparedness can also call the Department of Emergency Management’s main line at 360-740-1151.
