Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Warmer temperatures expected today – into the mid-30s – has prompted Lewis County Emergency Management to caution folks about the hazard of heavy snow on roofs.

Emergency Management Deputy Director Sgt. Ross McDowell says the snow is wet and heavy and could cause the collapse of awnings or other structures not in sound condition.

“Especially vulnerable structures are ones with flat or low-pitch roofs, older homes that weren’t built to today’s construction standards, and aged roofs,” McDowell said in a news release.

The safest way to remove snow is with a long pole-shaft snow rake and to pull the snow off in small chunks, according to McDowell.

McDowell says most wood homes are designed to handle up to about four feet of snow, while mobile homes can hold only about half that amount.

It’s strenuous work, so some people should seek help from family, friends or neighbors, McDowell writes.

A freeze is expected overnight, so folks should also clear any drains or downspouts around their homes, possibly repeatedly over the next few days, McDowell adds.

Updated at 4:35 p.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A search is underway in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier Park for a 66-year-old Tacoma man who got separated from a group of snow shoe hikers he was leading yesterday afternoon.

Yong Chun Kim slipped down a steep slope, was unable to ascend the slope and told the group he would go around and meet them, park spokesperson Lee Taylor said this morning.

His companions returned to Paradise and when Kim failed to return by 3 p.m., a search began that went on until 9 p.m., Taylor said.

Kim is an experienced snow shoer, but was not equipped for an overnight stay, Lee said.

The area experienced severe weather yesterday, including blizzard conditions with gusts of 30 to 50 mph and received five inches of new snow overnight, according to Taylor. The snow is expected to continue.

The hiking group is from Tacoma, she said.

Kim was last heard from at 2:30 p.m. yesterday when he radioed his group to say he was okay, according to Taylor.

Twenty-five searchers were on the ground this morning, from Tacoma, Seattle and Everett mountain rescue units along with National Park staff.

Nearly 50 searchers, joined by three German Shepherd dog teams, continued through the day looking for clues to Kim’s whereabouts in the snowy terrain above Paradise, Taylor noted in a 3:30 p.m. update.

If the effort continues into a third day, the road from Longmire to Paradise will remain closed on Monday so that park visitors don’t interfere with the search, according to Taylor.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Authorities are on high alert after four fires were set in a Centralia park yesterday evening.

Firefighters called about 7 p.m. to Rotary Riverside Park on Harrison Avenue found the contents of three trash cans burning around the area and a fourth fire lit inside  a restroom, according to Fire Chief Jim Walkowski.

There was no damage to the masonry building, and the flames were contained to a garbage can inside, Walkowski said.

It was called in by a passerby, he said.

“At this point, we don’t have any other information, other than that,” Walkowski said.

The Centralia Police Department and Riverside Fire Authority are investigating. They have no suspects, according to the chief.

Walkowski noted there have been no similar incidents in the recent past.

He is asking anyone with information to contact him at 360-736-3975.