Disclaimer. This information is not meant to be complete and your situation may vary. Always ask a professional for advice before proceeding. The Palisades Neighborhood Association (PNA) does endorse any information contained in the links below and is not responsible for any incorrect information.
“Here’s how Portland area residents are prepping for the next big one ” article from OregonLive. If you don’t have a subscription just click, “free trial”.
More information is listed below this video.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION and NEWS
PREPARE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD – from PrepLO.org
Training Videos, Map Your Neighborhood, CERT Training, Start a Neighborhood Group
PREPARE YOURSELF AND FAMILY – from PrepLO.org
Emergency Water Sources, Food Storage, 72 hr Packs, Shelter and House Retrofitting, Communication, Heat and Cooking, First Aid, Sanitation, And moreTREES and SAFETY (Keeping them healthy, What to do if you stay in your home during a storm, resources)
ABOUT GENERATORS (options, advice, maintenance and more)
ASSESSING TREE RISK AND SAFETY
HELP PREVENT BURST WATER PIPES
5 WAYS TO STAY WARM DURING A WINTER POWER OUTAGE
BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT OF TOWN
HELPING NEARBY ELDERLY AND/OR INFIRM NEIGHBORS
ADDITIONAL INFO
Before you Head Out-of-Town (if you plan to be away from home, especially December through February)
From a neighbor who was out-of-town during the storm: “One thing we learned is that when you travel, be sure that two or more neighbors, family, or friends not only know you will be gone but have good contact information so they can report status of your house and you can tell them where a key to the house is. For us, one friend and one neighbor saved us by turning on a faucet and allowing us to know the pipes were safe. So important !!!“
Helping Nearby Elderly and/or Infirm Neighbors – create a “Buddy” system
Everyone is encouraged to identify those in your neighborhood that are “elderly and infirm” and without the means to provide power, water, food, etc for themselves. Then, create a “buddy” system whereby capable and prepared neighbors can pair up with the elderly/infirm ahead of time so:
1. The elderly/infirm will have the confidence that someone will check on them and help
2. Those best able to help will be ready to help in an emergency – many of us have 4WD trucks/chains that can help out.
3. Those providing help can coordinate with other neighbors and/or first responders (if available) in the event of more serious need.
2 Responses
Such an excellent informative zoom meeting. Really appreciate you putting this together. Rick, Chuck, Roger, Ken, Chris provided very useful information. We personally are updating our generator system, so we especially appreciated Chris’ presentation and photos. Rick’s outline of what he and his cul de sac neighbors do in winter storm is great. Hope it encourages others to do the same.
It’s a good feeling to know the Palisades neighbors and the PNA has this wealth of knowledge and a way to share it. I’ve been going through the emergency preparedness links on the PNA website. Good to have these resources. Looking forward to seeing Chris’ photos posted.
Very generous of Chris and Ken and Syd to offer to help and/or contract work.
Here are my initial comments/questions:
Can we get a transcript of Rick’s talk on the emergency preparedness web page as a good example and encouragement for other neighbors?
Considering the scope, severity, length, and changing weather conditions, I think it’s unrealistic to expect the City to plow every neighborhood street or put up cones for icy conditions. (Not enough cones for every street!) Emergency tree removals took City resources. Can’t plow ice. And ice on top of snow takes a super long time to melt.
We can encourage neighbors: to have a snow shovel AND use it before it gets icy. Use ice melt salt. Use traction tires or chains on vehicles. Be prepared to shelter in place.
Also, I don’t think we can complain about Republic Services’ response. They intended to resume services, but of course could not predict that weather would change to ice storm and continue to delay garbage pickup.
Continuing to encourage and support folks to prepare for sheltering in place for weather or other disasters is a key mission for PNA.
My own views on tree protection have changed a bit after this power outage. I would like PNA to consider active involvement and education on trees and safety. As Syd pointed out, trees are beautiful and essential to our community, how can we keep them both beautiful and safe?
I actually think the City’s website and announcements did a good job of keeping us informed.
Thanks again for organizing this meeting! The presenters did a fantastic job.
Winter storm January 13-21, 2024
Rick Eilers on Leafy Lane
Contributors: Dianne Holme, Peter Wakeling and Nancy Moon- Eilers
What worked:
My street-
Communication between neighbors- Text mainly, email and phone conversations
Cell phones- The cell tower at Lakeridge HS had a portable generator hooked up, supplying power and keeping cell service and hot spots available.
Generators- 5 of 6 neighbors in our Cul-te-sac now have a back-up power supply
Furnace (2 of 6 homes)
Wood stove (1 of 6)
Pellet stove (1 of 6)
Gasoline (4 of 6)
Running water and hot water
Weather forecast and advanced warning
Sleeping in basements during wind storm on Saturday
Neighbors shoveling a path for cars to exit the Cul-te-sac.
What didn’t work:
My Street-
City crews with plows or gravel
Protecting water pipes
Knowing the condition of each neighbor (30 degrees interior, pet sitter, etc.)
Electrical preparation (enough cords, splitters, transfer switches)
What we would do differently:
Have generators better prepared
Have more fuel
Better communications and conversations
Prewired transfer switches
Pre-built power cords between Generator and Transfer switch
Pre-built power strips for small electronics charging
Electric hot plate
Dual fuel generator (gasoline and Natural gas)
Have generator motor oil stockpiled
Spent more time cleaning walkways and roadways out
Stockpile of salt
Buckets of ¼ minus gravel
Better tools for ice removal
Better cold weather gear
Other comments from Dianne Holme:
Next time:
1. I wish the city could send out in their announcement which general areas of LO had power so you could see if it’s worth it to try to get somewhere to warm up or get internet before you head out.
2. Debris pick up needs to be in the neighborhoods, not at Westlake. It needs to be convenient to all residents, not just those who have a truck and are free on those 2 days. Could they use some of their $ to pay for a 2nd yard can for residents who apply for it? Or for Republic Services to waive fees for yard bags/extra cans for a time? City of LO loves their trees, but they don’t support us with free leaf pick up or help when there is a storm
3. Southshore trees need to be severely trimmed/ cut down so this doesn’t happen all the time.
4. The garbage messaging was confusing. On Monday, Republic Services sent out a phone message that garbage pick-up was delayed a week. Then the city sent out a notice that garbage pick-up was one day late.
5. It would be helpful if the city put out a flyer with step-by-step instructions for what to do if a tree falls on your house. I don’t think anyone is interested in getting a city permit in an emergency. What are practical steps? Who do you call first? Your insurance agent? Arborist?
6. The city should put out more barrier signs. On Saturday we had an Amazon driver try to drive down our street. He slid down our street, hit the neighbors’ car which ended up hitting the curb. Later that day when we were in downtown LO we saw barrier signs around on sidewalks. The city must know which areas have treacherous streets and deliver them out to neighborhoods. I would like to think people know that sidewalks are icy when there is ice everywhere.