What are the potential emergencies in Umatilla and Morrow Counties?

Chemicals in transport
Chemical weapons at the Umatilla Chemical Depot
Earthquake
Flash floods
Hanford nuclear reservation
Range and wild fire
Severe winter weather

Chemicals in transport

This includes chemicals being transported by rail, truck, and river; and chemicals in storage at area businesses. Thousands of hazardous materials shipments pass through the area on the Interstate, rail lines and the Columbia River each year. The companies that transport and store these chemicals do a good job-but even with careful handling, accidents can happen.

For an sample of what travels through Morrow and Umatilla Counties in a given year, we can look at Union Pacific Railroad's record of shipments that passed through Boardman in 1995:

• Chlorine, 1366 carloads
• Methanol, 944 carloads
• Propane, 820 carloads

Often referred to as HAZMAT incidents, accidents involving chemicals can lead to a situation where you may have to shelter in place or evacuate quickly. You could be away from your home or business for up to a few days.

Chemical weapons have been part of America?s military arsenal since World War I. Although the weapons have never been used, they have been maintained to discourage other countries from using them against America or its allies. Chemical weapons are stored at eight sites around the country, including the Umatilla Chemical Depot (UMCD) near Hermiston, Oregon. The Umatilla site has about 11.6% of the nation?s chemical stockpile. The stockpile of chemical agents is stored in a protected area at UMCD. The area is fenced off and patrolled regularly. Storage units in the area?called igloos or bunkers are monitored daily by trained personnel with sensitive equipment that will detect an accidental leak long before it could become a threat. Chemical agents have been safely stored at UMCD since the 1960s. Until they are destroyed, however, there is a risk for people who live, work or travel near the Depot. Just how to dispose of chemical agents has been the subject of controversy around the country even after years of study. The U.S. Army has determined that incineration is the safest and most effective disposal method and has built an incinerator at the Umatilla Depot. The incinerator, called the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (UMCDF) began destroying its chemical stockpile on September 7, 2004. Until the day that the chemicals have been safely destroyed, Umatilla and Morrow Counties will continue to work with state and federal agencies, and the Depot, to maintain an emergency response plan for county residents.
Chemical Stockpile Storage Sites

 

What Chemical Weapons Are Stored At The Depot?

Mustard or "Blister" Agents

Only one type of mustard agent (HD) is stored at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. In appearance, HD looks like heavy motor oil, but it can be turned into a mist. Exposure is usually not fatal. The primary hazard of HD is liquid exposure to the skin.

Mustard can cause the skin to redden or blister. It can cause irritation, redness or swelling of your eyes.  Throat irritation, sinus pain and coughing are other effects that may be seen.  Symptoms usually take 4 to 8 hours after mustard exposure, but may take up to 24 hours to appear.  

Nerve Agents

There are two types of nerve agents (GB and VX) are stored in a variety of weapons at the Umatilla Chemical  Depot. GB has a water-like consistency. It evaporates rapidly and dissipates quickly in the environment. Therefore, the primary hazard associated with GB is vapor inhalation.VX is a thick liquid that has a consistency of motor oil. It is intended to be spread in fine droplets, like a mist. It evaporates slowly and may stay in the environment for several days. Therefore, the primary hazard associated with VX is liquid exposure to the skin.

Exposure to GB and VX can effect the nervous system. Symptoms appear within minutes of exposure to a nerve agent vapor.  Exposure to a tine amount of vapor can cause pin point pupils, dim or blurred vision, a runny nose and shortness of breath.  Exposure to a moderate amount of vapor can cause muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  

What kind of emergencies could happen?

There are four levels of emergencies that could happen at the Umatilla Chemical Depot:

   A NON-SURETY EMERGENCY is an accident that does not involve chemical agents. 

   A LIMITED AREA EMERGENCY is an accident where chemical agents have been released but are not expected to spread outside the chemical storage area on the Umatilla Chemical Depot. Stay tuned to your radio or TV for more information from Umatilla and Morrow Counties Emergency Management.

   A POST ONLY EMERGENCY is an accident where chemical agents have been released but are not expected to go beyond the Umatilla Chemical Depot boundary. You may be asked to take shelter as a precaution. Stay tuned to your radio or TV for more information from Umatilla and Morrow Counties Emergency Management.

   A COMMUNITY EMERGENCY is the most dangerous kind of accident, where chemical agents have been released and may go beyond the Umatilla Chemical Depot boundary, or have already done so. Public warning systems will be activated. People who are in or near six Oregon cities (Hermiston, Stanfield, Echo, Umatilla, Irrigon and Boardman) will be advised to shelter in place. 

There have been nearly 100 earthquakes in the Columbia Basin over the last 95 years. Fortunately, most have been minor. The largest recorded earthquake registered 6.1 in the city of Athena in 1936. Almost all of the earthquake epicenters have been in or near population centers and McNary, McKay and Cold Springs Dams.

What you need to know before an earthquake

• Every member of your family should know some basic skills:
• How to turn off electricity, water and gas coming into your home.
• Basic First Aid.
• Know where you will meet if you are separated.
• Know what places in your home offer the greatest safety.
• Know where to find the flashlight, battery-operated radio and extra batteries

What to do during an earthquake

• STAY CALM.
• DUCK AND COVER. If you are inside, stand in a doorway or crouch under a heavy table or desk.
• If you are outside, get away from buildings, trees and utility lines.
• If you are on the road, drive away from overpasses or underpasses; stop in a safe area and stay in your car.
• DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 unless you are reporting a life-threatening situation.

What to do after an earthquake

• Check for injuries and provide first aid.
• Turn off appropriate utilities. Use a flashlight if you suspect gas, water and sewage breaks. Matches and lighters can ignite leaking gas. Check for cracks in your chimney or stove pipe.
• Listen for emergency public information on your EAS radio or TV station.

In 1903, the most devastating flash flood in Oregon history killed 250 people in Heppner. Today, Heppner has a sophisticated flash flood alerting system, but that is not the case everywhere. Flash floods often occur in mountain canyons and valleys. Flash floods can pick up cars, campers and mobile homes, roll large boulders and topple trees. Roads and bridges can be destroyed quickly.

The National Weather Service will use specific words to alert you

• A "FLASH FLOOD WATCH" means there may be flooding. Stay alert. Watch for thunderstorms. Keep an eye on rivers and streams. If they rise don't wait, get to high ground FAST!
• A "FLASH FLOOD WARNING" means there is flooding. Go to a safe area on high ground!

 What to do in case of a flash flood

• In town, keep away from storm drains and streams.
• In the suburbs and rural areas, don't let children play in irrigation ditches, dry stream beds or other waterways.
• Shallow water can get deep and dangerous fast.
• If you are camping, whenever it rains and whenever there is thunder and lightning, keep a battery-powered radio tuned to the news.
• If you learn a flood is coming or even suspect one is on the way, ACT FAST. Move to high ground immediately.
• Know where there is high ground and how to get there. Make plans. Be ready to go. Seconds count! When authorities tell you to leave, don't wait, GO!
• If you are in a car, watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road.
• At night you can't see the dangers of flooding. Don't drive through running water.

Hanford

For example, you may be advised to take actions to protect your family, farm animals, and agricultural products. This information would be broadcast over the Emergency Alert System (EAS, formerly the Emergency Broadcast System) or through other official news releases, and would help to prevent or minimize the effects of a radiological emergency on the region's food and agriculture.

The 50-Mile Hanford Emergency Zone includes the cities of Boardman, Hermiston, Irrigon, Stanfield and Umatilla. You may be advised to...

• You may be advised to take actions to prevent contamination of locally-produced milk and food products. An example would be washing, scrubbing, peeling or shelling fruits and vegetables to remove surface contamination.
• You may be advised to remove all dairy and meat animals from pasture, shelter them if possible, and provide them with protected feed.
• Poultry raised indoors and given protected feed and water are not likely to be contaminated. Poultry raised outside, particularly for egg production, could be monitored by taking samples and performing laboratory tests.

In August of 1990, 22 homes on the western edge of Bend, Oregon were destroyed by wildfire. In October of 1991, wildfire whipped by 62 mile-an-hour winds swept across a four county area in Eastern Washington. The fires claimed one life and destroyed a total of 114 homes. In November of 1993, three homes in the Tri Cities, Washington were destroyed by wildfire.

Wildfire and range fires will continue to threaten people and homes in a rural environment. Homeowners can make their homes more "fire-safe" by building with fire resistant materials. Special landscaping can also keep fire away from your home.

Things you can do to make your home more "fire-safe"

• Large green lawns and flower beds can provide a safe distance between the house and the flames. Fire resistant plants deprive fire of fuel. This "fire-resistant space" increases your home's chance of surviving a wildfire.
• Store firewood away from the house, outside your fire resistant space.
• Trees and tall bushes should be trimmed or pruned back away from buildings. Large trees with branches that hang over a roof provide an ideal conduit for fire.
• Clean your chimney before autumn.
• Clean needles and dead leaves from your roof and gutters.
• Know who to call when you see a fire.
• Make sure the fire department knows where you live and make your street address highly visible.
• Make sure your driveway is wide enough to accommodate a fire truck.
• Pre-plan escape routes.

Severe winter storms are not uncommon in the Columbia Basin. Heavy snow, ice storms and associated high winds can create extreme hardships, sometimes for days at a time. Utilities of all kinds are often damaged.

• Prepare an emergency plan that assumes you will be without power for an unknown amount of time.
• Work with your family, friends and neighbors to help each other in an emergency.
• Keep posted on weather conditions and travel only if necessary during severe winter weather.

What to do in case of severe winter weather