While the speakers and topics changed, the message of the annual Lewis County flood meeting at Jester’s Auto Museum and Events Center Thursday was consistent: prepare now.

With winter forecasts calling for wetter and cooler conditions, preparation now could be key to ensuring safety.

“We prepare for the worst, we hope for the best, and then ultimately we are serving our citizens, our neighbors,” Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer said.

From signing up for flood alerts and developing a disaster action plan to signing up for flood insurance, residents of Southwest Washington can take steps now to prepare should flooding occur this winter.

“We know what we can expect when we get a catastrophic flood, and we work diligently to have as much of those resources available to help people in need when it happens,” Brummer said.

The meeting of first responders and county officials comes after the National Weather Service (NWS) predicted a La Niña weather pattern will hold until the spring. In a Sept. 12 forecast, the NWS said the weather pattern, which typically brings cooler and wetter conditions to the West Coast, has a 71% chance of emerging between September and November and “is expected” to remain through March 2025.

According to the NWS, the La Niña is currently expected to be “weak.”

“A weaker La Niña implies that it would be less likely to result in conventional winter impacts, though predictable signals could still influence the forecast guidance,” the NWS stated.

Flooding is most common in Lewis County from November through March, when atmospheric rivers can bring heavy rainfall to the area, and can occur throughout the county. Residents can contact Lewis County Community Development to learn more about how water pools around their residence, and what conditions of nearby rivers are during storms.

“Every year, when we know the weather’s going to take a turn for the worst, we hope, we pray, but we also take action,” Lewis County Manager Ryan Barrett said. “And that’s what this meeting represents, is the beginning of taking action for the upcoming flood season.”

County residents can sign up for the Lewis County Alert System, which will send text, email and phone alerts for updates on police, fire, severe weather, health and safety situations. To register, residents can go to https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/lewis-county-alert/. The site also includes information on what to pack in an emergency kit and readings from gauges that monitor the current water levels of local rivers.

Basic measures of preparation include developing a communications plan, which should include establishing a contact person who lives more than 100 miles away from you.

“An out-of-area contact is the key piece of a great communications plan to let families know about each other being safe — especially if the internet and cell phone signals are sparse following a major event,” a booklet by Lewis County Emergency management reads.

Grab-and-go kits, which include enough food, water and other supplies to last multiple days, should also be made for each family member, as well as pets.

“You should take proactive steps to create a kit that you can take with you in times of an emergency that will last you for two or three days as long as it’s lightweight and easy to carry or tow along,” the booklet states.

The kit may also include copies of important documents, such as proof of medical and home insurance and financial papers.

“After a major disaster, you may need financial assistance and will want to document any property loss for instance and income tax purposes,” the booklet states. “Having ready access to the documents is necessary for completing application forms, as well as those which could be difficult to replace, will reduce delay and frustration.”

When severe weather is forecasted, Washington State Emergency Management recommends residents monitor local radio, television and other news sources for potential evacuation updates and other instructions.