By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Tacoma Power and the Lewis County Department of Emergency Management will conduct a coordinated test of their emergency notification systems at 11 a.m. today.
Tacoma Power’s emergency sirens at Ike Kinswa State Park, Mayfield Lake Park and the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery will sound and include an announcement of the test.
Mossyrock Dam
The sirens and loudspeaker are part of a system that would be used to alert the public in the event of any imminent catastrophic-type failure of either of the two dams which could cause uncontrolled release of water downstream, such as an earthquake, according to Tacoma Power’s Jason Lellie, the emergency action plan coordinator at the utility’s power generation division.
Tacoma Power owns and operates Mossyrock Dam and Mayfield Dam on the Cowlitz River.
Both organizations conduct annual system tests, but this year marks the first time they have synchronized their efforts.
“Public safety is our number one priority,” Tacoma Power Chief Dam Safety Engineer Toby Brewer stated. “While we have a robust emergency action plan in place, the success of these systems in helping to keep people safe depends on all of us working together.”
Lewis County DEM will send two test messages using its new alert notification system. The first will alert users that the siren test is about to begin; the second will announce that the siren test is over.
The test should last approximately 90 seconds.
Lewis County’s notification system has replaced the former Code Red system. Users must register to receive the alerts and may choose to be notified by cell phone, landline, text message and/or email.
“We encourage Lewis County residents and visitors to register as soon as possible so they can receive future notifications,” said Lewis County DEM Coordinator Jim Rich.
People can register by:
• Visiting www.lewiscountywa.gov then clicking the “Lewis County Alert” icon at the bottom of the page.
• Calling (360) 740-1157 to speak with a member of the Lewis County DEM staff.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter