Tillamook County Sheriff's Office, Oregon - Press Release 11-10-2006
http://www.tillamooksheriff.org

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Tillamook County damage likely in millions
11:49 AM PST on Friday, November 10, 2006
By KGW Staff

TILLAMOOK -- Neighbors and officials on the storm-ravaged coast did their best Friday to tackle cleanup and also preparation for the next storm.


Highway 101 in Tillamook, North of Hwy 6 Jct

Director of Tillamook County Emergency services Tom Manning said they were trying to get mud removed and normal drainage pathways restored before the next storm hits. Manning said as long as rainfall stays at 3 to 4 inches, they should be OK. Any more could put county rivers at bank-full -- but not over flood stage.

Officials were also putting together damage assessments Friday so a request for presidential disaster declaration can be sent to the Governor's office then to FEMA and the president.

Federal disaster declaration would free up federal money to help those with flood damage get back on their feet. Manning said he expected Tillamook County property damage to be in the range of $3.5 - $4 million, with ODOT preparing the estimates on road damage.

Manning said he was hearing Oregon property damage estimates may top $20 million from this first storm.


By KGW

Landslides were one of the many concerns associated with the floods in Oregon. Tillamook County was also putting together a request for agricultural disaster declaration so they can get emergency feed for livestock. Mud covers much of their normal grazing lands. Health workers were distributing tetanus vaccinations to workers.

In Pacific City, homeowners at Cape Kiwanda were battling storm fallout of another kind. The wind and waves piled sand dunes against some coastal houses. A coast guard flyover spotted some houses buried to the roof line on the ocean side - but still accessible from the house front.

Manning said that happens every couple years -- with some houses seven years ago completely topped by the sand. He said the Cape Kiwanda Home Owners Association will bring in tractors to push back the sand.

Many of the affected houses are summer properties -- so the owners may not even know their property is half-buried, Manning said. He added that no country help has been asked for Cape Kiwanda, so it's likely something the homeowners association can handle on its own.