PIER Systems Sites Hard at Work in Record Washington State Flooding

The Pacific Northwest is experiencing record flooding after receiving heavy snow during the holiday season.

Stretches of the I-5, mountain passes and roads all over the state have been closed. Whatcom and Skagit county have declared a state of emergency. Hundreds of thousands of people have been told to evacuate their homes and businesses, 62 highways have been closed, and widespread avalanches and mudslides are hitting high records. East of the state, Spokane County has recorded the greatest monthly snowfall in its history.

Several top agencies are currently using PIER to efficiently manage their hectic communication activities during this emergency:

Washington State Emergency Management Division: http://www.wadisasternews.com

Bellingham School District:  http://www.bsd501.org

Whatcom County Emergency Information: http://www.piersystem.com/go/site/1180

City of Bellingham News: http://www.piersystem.com/go/site/1264

Whatcom County News: http://www.piersystem.com/go/site/1149

Astoria, Oregon: http://astoriadispatch.org

Port of Tacoma--using PIER for internal emergency advisories

US Coast Guard, District 13: http://www.D13publicaffairs.com

The Washington State Emergency Management Division has launched a PIER Systems crisis communication and media relations site to respond to these crises.

Because PIER manages all aspects of the communication process including distribution of documents, management of inquiries, text and phone notifications, viewing these sites is looking at the tip of the iceberg.

For example, Washington State EMD has issued 41 documents through 10 am January 8, to 775 media and stakeholders including their Business Partners. The simplified distribution of critical information to multiple audiences through multiple distribution means with a single process is the key to PIER's efficiency.

Additional Information:

PIER Systems Responds: A webpage devoted to news releases posted by Washington State agencies

National Press Coverage:

MSNBC News: Washington residents flee as rivers swell