OFFICIALS: STAY AWAY FROM WATERWAYS
Friday, September 24th, 2010 -- 11:50 AM
Officials are encouraging you to stay off lakes and rivers until further notice.Nowhere is this more important that the Hatfield area where North American Hydro has issued a Red Alert, which means all gates are open and the level at Lake Arbutus continues to rise.
Rushing water has washed away the steel cable and marker floats that warn boaters on the lake of the proximity of the Hatfield Dam.
Clark County Emergency Management Director Michelle Hartness says people should just restrain from going on the water until further notice.
"There is no rescue line for boaters. We are encouraging people to stay off the water. This is not the time to decide to go fishing or sightseeing. All the boat landings have been closed," Hartness says.
And, with children home from school today, Hartness reminds parents they may be drawn to waterways. "Even if it's just standing water, it's likely that water is contaminated," she says.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.