MISSION, Ore. – When combining the melting of the area’s recent snowfall with added precipitation, then the possibility of flooding increases. And that means the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s (CTUIR) Public Works Department (PWD) and the public must be on the lookout.
Thankfully, PWD Director Justin Northern said the department has in place a standard operating procedure when it comes to flood assistance.
Northern said should a flooding event occur, the CTUIR Emergency Response Team will coordinate with the Office of Executive Director, Communications director, and call in essential response staff.
Volunteers will report to the Public Works Operations Facility (former Mid-co bus barn) located at Bus Barn Lane off Mission Highway, he said. Northern added that PWD staff will have sign-in sheets to document who is working in the field. (Tracking of staff, equipment and time will be documented and provided for post-event evaluation assessment.)
All CTUIR staff and volunteers will need to sign in at an intake table for safety tracking before being directed to the staging area for bagging sand after check-in.
Northern said a PWD designee will coordinate the staging area, bagging, and loading activities, and that all staff and volunteers are expected to follow directions and delegation at the sandbag coordination site for safety.
The PWD designee will also direct and dispatch crews and equipment for delivery of sandbags based on coordination from the Emergency Response Team, Northern said. He added that the Emergency Response Team will coordinate and provide Information to the OED and Communications director so the public can be informed of the situation.
Flood response can be hazardous. The PWD asks that volunteers assist in filling and loading sandbags at the Public Works Operations Facility.
Several CTUIR departments are monitoring water levels and do not anticipate any flood event. There is a possibility that some creeks will be impacted by the continued snow melt. If waters have risen to a level that you have an immediate flooding concern at your residence please call Tribal Dispatch at 541-278-0550.