Caution urged as seasons change
By Terry Murry on Friday, March 25th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – Spring has arrived and Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan says his officers’ focus is slowly turning from snow to water. The water is, of course, cold so a casual dip can end in hypothermia. Rowan says more than anything he advises life jackets.
“At least having some sort of a flotation device that will keep you above the water until help can get to you is a key component to saving your life,” he said.
While the need for life jackets is now a reality, Rowan said that there’s still a need for winter jackets as well at higher elevations. People should expect winter conditions no matter how warm it is in the lowlands.
“If you get to thinking if you are traveling on a road heading to a place to recreate and you think to yourself, ‘Hey, I think this getting pretty bad,’ that’s probably the time to stop, turn around, and go home,” he said.
