Clatsop County Oregon Current Emergency with ARES

At about 6 am this morning, the 9-1-1 lines that would normally be answered in Seaside and Astoria for callers in Clatsop County were diverted by the phone company to Columbia 9-1-1 Communications Center, on a temporary emergency basis.

The emergency phone calls are being taken by Columbia 9-1-1 staff who are relaying the information via Columbia County and Clatsop County Amateur Radio Emergency Services Volunteers to the police fire and emergency medical dispatchers in Clatsop County, who then are activating Clatsop County first responders.

Columbia 9-1-1 has doubled up on staff to handle the extra call load. Both counties are experiencing severe flooding causing numerous high water situations, road closures, flooding and evacuations.

Columbia County emergency operations center, Clatskanie, Vernonia, St. Helens, Columbia City, Rainier, Scappoose city emergency operations centers are activated.