Lewis County Sirens.com

Updated at 12:49 p.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The city of Centralia announced this morning the activation of its Emergency Operations Center because of high waters in downtown.

Numerous streets are shut down, and authorities remind the public that driving past a road closure sign can result in a $124 citation.

China Creek has overflowed its banks. A flood warning was issued this morning for the Skookumchuck River, with minor flooding expected in Bucoda. A flood watch remains in place in Lewis County.

Motorists are asked to slow down when driving through standing water on city streets. The wake from vehicles can push additional water into houses and adjacent property, Officer Patty Finch says.

It’s also not safe, according to Finch.

“Going too fast can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles,” Finch said in a news release.

Closed as of 12:15 p.m. are:

• Centralia College Boulevard – from Ash Street to Iron Street
• West Main Street – from Iron Street to Ash Street
• West Pine Street – from Pearl Street to Ash Street
• West Magnolia Street – from Pearl Street to Ash Street
• Maple Street – from Gold Street to Washington Avenue
• Center Street – from Railroad Avenue to Washington Avenue
• Hanson Street – from Railroad Avenue to Washington Avenue
• North Gold Street – from Gerard Road to Ham Hill Road
• Scott Johnson – from Kresky Avenue to Gold Street
• Fair Street – from Kresky Avenue to Gold Street

The city of Centralia has sandbags for its residents.

Shortly after noon, Finch said the water in China Creek – the primary problem today – appears to be receding, but levels on Salzer Creek may be increasing slightly.

Finch says those who live on or near a hill at risk for landslides should be aware of the following clues that could signal a problem

• Soil moving away from foundations
• Tilting or cracking of concrete floors and foundations
* Leaning telephone poles, tress, retaining walls or fences
• Faint rumbling sound that increases in volume as the landslide nears
• Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together

Monitor the changing conditions for yourself, using links always available on the right-hand sidebar of this news site under “Other useful web links. Direct from the National Weather Service.

• “River levels“: Graphs show you what level your river has been at, where it’s at right now and where it is projected to be.

• “Weather alerts, forecasts“: Click on the map to find your current and forecast temperature and other weather information, as well as alerts for hazardous weather conditions.

• Also, quickly and easily get information directly from others in the community by viewing or joining Lewis County Sirens on Facebook.

•••

For more, read, “Officials offer early information regarding floodwaters” from Monday January 5, 2015, here

Authorities remind motorists not to drive through standing water; this is Rice Road near Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis this morning.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office announced this morning the activation of the Lewis County Emergency Operations Center in preparation for impending flooding on the Newaukum and Chehalis rivers.

There is already water over the roadways in several areas along the Newaukum River, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown. Motorists are advised not to drive through deep standing water and obey all road closure signs, Brown states.

Citizens living in flood prone areas are advised to move their animals to high ground.

Brown reminds the public that winter storm event conditions can change rapidly. She suggests people monitor local radio stations for event updates.

Brown advises that sand bags for private residences can be purchased at several locations including Martin Sand and Gravel, Home Depot and Sunbirds Shopping Center.

The city of Centralia has sandbags for its residents.

Due to the flooding from China Creek, a sandbag station has been opened on Center Street between Pearl and Tower, according to the Centralia public works department. Sand, bags, and shovels will be available for use. There will not be anyone there to assist with the process. Questions?  Call the Public Works Department at 330-7512.

The sheriff’s office publishes river readings at http://rivers.lewiscountywa.gov/ and information about road closures at http://roads.lewiscountywa.gov/.

Monitor the changing conditions for yourself, using links always available on the right-hand sidebar of this news site under “Other useful web links. Direct from the National Weather Service.

• “River levels“: Graphs show you what level your river has been at, where it’s at right now and where it is projected to be.

• “Weather alerts, forecasts“: Click on the map to find your current and forecast temperature and other weather information, as well as alerts for hazardous weather conditions.

• Also, quickly and easily get information directly from others in the community by viewing or joining Lewis County Sirens on Facebook.

•••

For background, read yesterdays heads-up, “Record-breaking flooding possible on Newaukum River” from Sunday January 4, 2015, here

Updated

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Washington State Patrol is investigating a fatality collision a few miles east of Randle.

The wreck involved a compact car and a semi truck hauling a trailer, which was empty, according to the state patrol.

Lt. Shane Nelson said he believed it occurred around 11 a.m., but he is not the primary officer.

One lane of the roadway was still closed this afternoon on U.S. Highway 12 near Davis Creek Road, he said.

The truck driver, a male, was uninjured, according to Nelson.

The sole occupant of the car, 52-year-old Jay E. Sume of Randle, died at the scene, according to the Washington State Patrol.

According to the investigating trooper, Sume was heading eastbound and crossed the centerline; the oncoming 2010 Freightliner swerved to the right to avoid the car, but the car struck its trailer.

Sume’s 1993 Ford Escort was totaled.

The Freightliner had to be towed. It was driven by Michael J. Humphrey, 39, from Kelso, according to the state patrol.

The reason for the collision is unknown, and it’s unknown if any citations of charges may be filed.

Firefighters contain fire to hopper at mill. / Courtesy photo by Riverside Fire Authority

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Spontaneous combustion of compacted sawdust material inside a large hopper is suspected in an overnight fire at a mill in north Centralia.

Firefighters called at 3:50 a.m. to the plant at the end of Central Boulevard pulled their hoses but were able to flood the hopper instead by diverting water from plant piping, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

The fire did not spread to the rest of the structure, but the damage, including to insulation outside the hopper, is estimated at $25,000, according to Capt. Scott Weinert.

Nobody was injured. Crews were on the scene a couple of hours, Weinert said.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Centralia Police Chief Bob Berg announced the retirement earlier this week of Kayo the police dog, ending what the chief called a stellar nine year career.

Kayo

The 10-year-old German Shepherd from Slovakia came to Centralia as a youngster, underwent basic canine training and was placed into service with his partner Officer Brian Warren in early 2006.

Berg said the decision for retirement came because of Kayo’s age, and because the time has come for him to relax and enjoy the remaining years of his life.

The K-9 will be declared “surplus” and sold to now-Sgt. Warren for $1, according to Berg.

In his December community newsletter issued on Monday, Berg wrote that Kayo has amassed quite a record.

Among the police service dog’s many accomplishments, Berg lists approximately 250 “deployments”, 91 arrest assists, 131 drug finds and 50 evidence recoveries.

Berg notes Officer Ruben Ramirez’s dog Lobo is still on the job and another handler and police service dog are expected to be selected this coming summer.

Kayo worked his last shift on Saturday.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A fire investigator couldn’t determine the cause of a blaze that destroyed a Boistfort Valley home and most of its contents on Tuesday evening.

Investigator Derrick Paul said this morning he would let the insurance inspector to dig a little deeper to perhaps find out what started it.

Lewis County Fire District 13 Chief Kyle DePriest said the double-wide manufactured home is a total loss. Paul said the couple did have a fire safe and a couple of dressers with clothing were salvaged.

Approximately 20 firefighters with three districts fought the fire on the 1100 block of Boistfort Road; crews spent more than six hours at the scene, according to DePriest.

The residents are staying with family in the area, according to DePriest.
•••

For background, read “Couple displaced by fire in Boistfort Valley” from Wednesday December 31, 2014, here

Smoke rises from home on the 1100 block of Boistfort Road on Tuesday evening. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 13

Flames light up the night sky on the 1100 block of Boistfort Road. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 13

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The cause of a house fire in the Boistfort Valley yesterday evening is being investigated today.

Nobody was home and no one was injured.

Firefighters were called just before 6 p.m. to the 1100 block of Boistfort Road, a mile or so south of the BawFaw Grange, according to Lewis County Fire District 13.

“I was one of the first units on the scene, and by the time we arrived, the structure was fully involved,” Fire Chief Kyle DePriest said.

Flames were already rising through the roof, he said.

Crews fought the blaze from the outside only, joined by members of Fire Districts 6 and 11, DePriest said.

He described the residence as a double-wide mobile or modular home, with wood siding.

The couple who live there were out to dinner in Chehalis, and returned while firefighters were still there. They had no ideas what could have ignited it, he said.

The structure is still standing, with heavy fire damage in its center, he said.

Firefighters were on the scene until about 1 a.m. An investigator will be heading out there today, he said.