Jan 10, 2019

Thursday, January 10, 2019

SIGN UP FOR DISASTER ALERTS — Page 12

ARE YOU READY? ‘FAILURE TO PLAN IS PLANNING FOR FAILURE’

SHOP’N KART OWNER SURVIVES FLOODS, OFFERS ADVICE — Page 13

— Page 4

PUT TOGETHER DISASTER KITS — Page 10

THE DISASTER ISSUE

2 • LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

RUMOR 6 AT RED WIND CASINO

tap into the scene

THURSDAY, JAN. 10

Bullwheel Restaurant. This week’s The Snowshoe & Sip event will featured sip is the Elysian Brewing allow guests to explore the beauty Company. of Crystal Mountain and the Cascade Mountains on snowshoes with the FRIDAY AND expert guides at Crystal Mountain Resort before dining and tasting four SATURDAY, JAN. 11-12 different samples from the respective Rumor 6 play the Red Wind Casino brewery, winery or cidery. At 3 just north of Yelm both days from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. p.m. meet your Rumor 6 perform snowshoe guide PRAIRIE STEPPERS the dance, rock, in the Rental pop, hip-hop and Shop to get country songs geared up. At you know and 3:30 p.m. head love to dance out for a walk to. Artists like in the snow. At Bruno Mars, 5:30 p.m. return The Weeknd, gear to the rental Usher, Rihanna, shop and head Taio Cruz, to the Bullwheel Ke$ha, Luke Restaurant and Bryan, Justin Bar. At 6 p.m.

Timberlake, Big enjoy tasting and dinner in the Bullwheel Restaurant. & Rich, The Killers, Walk the Moon, The cost for the Snowshoe & Sip event Maroon 5, Lady Gaga and more. is $95 and includes complimentary chairlift ride on Gold Hills Chairlift, SATURDAY, JAN. 12 snowshoe and pole rental, guided Chris Guenther Live at Flood Valley snowshoe tour and plated group Brewing Craft Taphouse 9 p.m. to dinner paired with a tasting in the midnight. Flood Valley is located at

REO SPEEDWAGON PLAYS ILANI 289 NW Chehalis Ave., Chehalis.

TUESDAY, JAN. 15

Prairie Steppers Square Dance Lessons at Oakview Grange starting at 7 p.m. You are invited to learn to Square Dance with the Prairie Steppers on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Oakview

Grange, 2715 North Pearl Street in Centralia. Your first lesson is free, then just $2.50 per lesson taught by nationally known caller Don Wood. Singles or couples are welcome. No partner needed.

Square Dance attire not required but do wear comfortable shoes. Call Mike and Marion at 360.273.4884 or Gretchen at 360.736.5172 for more information.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JAN. 18-19

SNOWSHOING AT MOUNT RAINIER

Broken Trail plays the Red Wind Casino just north of Yelm both days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Broken Trail is a high-energy country band based in Western Washington. Formed in 1996, they have kicked up some dust around the state, made some SEE PAGE 3.....................................

LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019 • 3

Upcoming Issues

FLOOD VALLEY BREWING

ws

JAN

Ne 3rd The Get Outta Dodge Issue Last Week’s g It 10th The Disaster Issue You’re Readin

17th The Burger Issue 24th Hole-in-the-Wall Bars

noise and survived several lifetimes in the world of music.

FRIDAY, JAN. 18

2019 Annual Centralia-Chehalis Chamber Banquet 6 to 9 p.m. This fun and unique event will also feature a social hour, dinner, a presentation to announce the “Business of the Year” award as well as “The Evergreen Award” and an auction. They will also announce the new Board of Directors. A buffet dinner will be provided with the menu. Register at chamberway.com.

The Roostertails will rock the Flood Valley Brewing Craft Taphouse from 9 p.m. to midnight. The band plays high-energy rockabilly from the Pacific

SATURDAY, JAN. 20

Chris Guenther plays the Kit Carson Banquet Room starting at 7 p.m. Cost is $5. Join Chris Guenther and the Honky Tonk Drifters for another Country Music Dance-oRama, live in the Kit Carson Banquet room. The event is located at 107 Interstate Ave., Chehalis. Info: 360.740.1084.

REO Speedwagon plays the ilina Casino and Resort just off I-5 in Ridgefield starting at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $39 and $59. The band made it big in the 70s with several hits and is still fronted by vocalist Kevin Cronin.

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14th St. Patrick’s Day 21st Spring into the Outdoors

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Contact Tyler Beairsto tbeairsto@chronline.com • 360.807.8212 321 N. Pearl St., Centralia, WA 98531

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FROM PAGE 2. . ...........................

4 • LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019

Chronicle Photo

Receding floodwaters reveal acres of mud covering the small rural community of Curtis, on Tuesday Dec. 4, 2007. Residents said the community has never experienced flooding of this magnitude.

Storms battered the Pacific Northwest for two days leaving behind flooded homes, dead livestock, fallen trees, washed out roads and mud.

‘Failure to Plan is Planning for Failure’ Earthquakes, Flooding, Wildfires, Windstorms Are Not a Matter of If, But When

BY THE WEEKENDER

In early December 2007 Steve Mansfield was Lewis County Sheriff when the Willapa Hills were drenched in a Pineapple Express of warm rain pouring in from the south off the Pacific Ocean.

It came shortly after a dusting of snow. The combination sent a deluge of water into the Chehalis River.

Massive flooding followed. Estimates were damage of $1 billion. One Winlock man died. Farmers lost thousands of livestock. Homes were swept downriver.

Mansfield realized many lives were at risk as people were trapped in their homes as the waters rose. He brilliantly combined GPS devices with helicopters and directed rescue crews to pluck people out of danger, some being pulled right off their roofs.

Mansfield also helped direct an infor-

mal flotilla of jet skiis and fishing guide jet sleds.

If anyone knows disaster, it’s Mansfield.

Mansfield today is the director of Lewis County Emergency

SEE PAGE 6.....................................

LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019 • 5

We are a proud member of this great community

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A landslide in Pe Ell blocks state Route 6 below clearcut land in December 2007.

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6 • LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019

Courtesy Photo

The Dog Mountain Wildfire, burned nearly 160 acres near the eastern end of Riffe Lake in 2013.

FROM PAGE 4............................

Pete Caster / pcaster@chronline.com

Water from the Tilton River splashes onto railroad tracks that had been washed out after the river changed course in February of 2017 eroding its banks along state Route 7 in Morton.

man-made.”

He said instead of focusing on a particular disaster, you can make more generic preparation that will serve you well when tragedy comes knocking.

“Don’t try to look at this as individual hazards because you will be overwhelmed,” Mansfield said. “We don’t know what is going to happen and it is going to happen — we can’t control that. This is the key — to be properly prepared.”

He said government and emergency officials will do what they can, but they can’t be everywhere in a wideranging disaster such as the massive flood.

“If I prepare myself, my family and community, we’re going to be better off than just doing nothing. Doing nothing is not an option. You have a responsibility,” he said.

He said disaster is all around us in Lewis County, from flooding, dams

Management. He preaches being prepared, and lives by his sermon.

Years ago as sheriff, he was leading a training seminar. He was not dressed in a formal sheriff’s uniform, but loose fitting pants, a gun at his side, and of all things, sneakers. Asked why the sneakers, he responded, “I always need to be ready to go.”

The Weekender caught up with Mansfield to help us understand the perils we face here in Lewis County for this publication of The Lewis County Weekender focusing on disaster preparedness.

He said sooner or later, some form of disaster will visit Lewis County, just as the floodwaters did in 2007.

“I think feeling secure is a false sense of security,” he said. “If you look around the world, if you look around the country, you look at the state and Lewis County, we are subject to all kinds of disasters, both natural and SEE PAGE 7.....................................

LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019 • 7

FROM PAGE 6. . ........................... breaking, earthquakes, volcano eruptions and wildfire, but also from events we largely ignore. He said Interstate 5 and adjacent railroad tracks, for example, have all sorts of chemicals on tankers that could rupture. Parts of Lewis County are used as vast natural underground natural gas storage chambers.

On a more micro level, a personal disaster can occur from a domestic violence situation or even a bar brawl.

Mansfield’s point, and he utters it over and over, is not to be scared, but be prepared.

He believes preparation can be fun, even a family bonding experience.

Same for businesses. Get employees involved. Everyone should have a plan.

“Failing to plan is planning to fail and it’s a great investment in time,” Mansfield said.

The Lewis County Office of Emergency Management offers volumes of information on potential disasters, how to put together a disaster kit for your home and car, and how to sign up for countywide alerts when tragedy strikes.

A snowstorm blankets downtown Centralia in 2016.

Chronicle Photo

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Join ld one for a co + night *M ust be 21

Chronicle Photo

Lewis County Emergency Management Director Steve Mansfield urges all to be prepared in the event of disaster.

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8 • LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019

Are You Ready?

Would you be ready if an earthquake struck today?

If the National Weather Service suddenly announced there would be a major winter storm in two days, would you be in the long lines stocking up on food and water at the grocery store?

If you are able to take action, now is the time. Act now or your will be forced to react.

Be Informed.

Learn the hazards you may face.

Make plans to reduce their impacts and get prepared to speed the recovery for your family, business, pets, and livestock.

Build Kits

In Lewis County, it is important to be able to be self-sufficient from 3-14 days. Prepare a “Go Bag” for quick evacuations, a car kit, and emergency kits for up to 14 days.

Get Connected

In a disaster, small communities like Lewis County rely on one another for the first line of help after a disaster. Get to know those around you and discuss how you can help one another.

Your ability to recover from disasters ultimately lies with individuals, families, and organizations. We cannot prevent these disasters from happening, but by being prepared, you can ensure that your recovery, and the long-term impacts to your family and community as a whole are lessened.

The Risks

No matter where you live or work, you are exposed to hazards. Many of these hazards may be known to you, but possibly not well understood. For instance, earthquakes occur without warning and effect everyone in a region within seconds. But the amount of damage depends on many factors such as magnitude, location, and the type of soil under buildings.

By understanding your risk, you can take the steps to minimize or avoid

SEE PAGE 9.....................................

LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019 • 9

FROM PAGE 8. . ........................... injuries, damage, and long-term financial consequences.

Winter Storm Risks

Winter storms include wind, rain, snow, sleet hail, ice and thunder and lightning. All areas of Lewis County are vulnerable to severe storms. Normally, such weather events occur between October and March, but have been known to occur in early September or as late as June. Lewis County has a probability of at least one major snowstorm every 10 years, and at least one windstorm each year.

Factors contributing to storms in Eastern Lewis County are often different than in Western Lewis County due to the role topography plays.

Physical damages to homes and facilities can occur but basic economy can also be impacted from loss of business due to disruption of the transportation and power systems.

Due to the short duration of weather events (12-36 hours), recovery can be brief if proper preparations are made ahead of time.

Severe winter storms can have a tremendous impact on people, animals and communities. Extreme cold can combine with snow, ice or sleet, high winds, thunder and lightning. Winter storms can last for days.

Roofs may collapse due to the weight of snow and trees can knock down power lines causing a heat loss to homes and businesses. Dangerous driving conditions can leave travelers stranded on the road. Animals are also at risk during severe winter weather.

Unprotected livestock may be lost.

Severe thunderstorms are dangerous and can cause other hazards such as flooding, human injuries, building fires, and electrical damage. High winds can overturn cars, uproot trees and blow down utility poles.

Preparing before the storm can help you protect your family, pets, livestock, and property.

Landslide Risks

The cool, rainy Pacific Northwest climate ensures that soil moisture levels remain high throughout most of the year, and are often at or near saturation during the wetter winter months. The mountainous terrain and soils types in Lewis County are susceptible to landslides. Generally, there is a medium risk of landslides from November to March.

Frequent weather conditions such as winter storms and flooding also contribute to the risk.

Earthquake Risks

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in every state. Washington averages over 1,000 earthquakes a year; most of these quakes are less than 3.5 magnitude and aren’t even felt.

Earthquakes cannot be predicted ahead of time and occur day and night; they can also occur in any month of the year. There is no warning.

Earthquakes can occur in a small area or strike a large geographic region (from Canada to Mexico) and leave it without communications, power or transportation for weeks or even months.

The effects of an earthquake may vary from not being felt to near total destruction of the physical and economic infrastructure of the area.

Although large scale earthquakes occur infrequently (50-300 years), there is no way to tell when or where one will occur.

Large magnitude earthquakes (greater than 6.0) have occurred repeatedly in the Puget Sound region. In 1909, an event estimated to be a 6.0 struck in the San Juan Islands. Other Large events followed in 1939, 1946, 1949, 1965 and 2001.

Lewis County had substantial damages in all of these events.

Lewis County’s vulnerability to collateral hazards that occur subsequent to a major earthquake also needs to be considered (building collapse, damage to transportation systems, dam failure, rupture of underground utility lines, hazardous material spills, fires). These types of events may add substantially to the amount of damage and time it takes to recover.

Recovery Needs

On average, recovery from winter storm damages that are more localized and occur with advanced warning require less preparation. If communications or transportation are effected, they are generally restored within a few hours to a couple weeks.

In a major earthquake, essential services may be lost for weeks or months. Citizens need to be prepared for both events (3-14 days of supplies) and it is recommended citizens consider insurance that covers all these possibilities.

Many of these winter storm risks can also result in flooding. If you are in or near the Floodplain, consider buying flood insurance. Protect your family and your home. Contact your insurance agent for information.

FEMA programs only provide a minimal assistance. Typically Washington claimants average less than $3,000 per claim. If your home is a complete loss, the maximum is less than $30,000.

— Source: Lewis County Emergency Management

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10 • LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019

72-hour Comfort Kits

Storing Emergency Supplies

Chances are you will have to rely upon supplies you have available in your home for at least the first three days following any major disaster.

Store these items in something that is portable and easily carried, like a plastic tub with a tight-fitting lid. In the event of fire or rapid evacuation, you’ll appreciate having more than just the clothes on your back.

The container should be able to withstand moisture, insects, and some abuse when the quake happens. If you have a large family, several smaller tubs may be easier to carry than one large container.

Place items in plastic bags to protect against condensation, which causes mildew and rust. The bags newspapers come in are a good choice — these can later be used for disposing of waste.

Locate these supplies as close to your primary house exit as possible.

You may have to find it in the dark or after the upheaval of an earthquake.

Water

Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household. Two-liter soda pop bottles work great. That means six two-liter bottles per person.

Food

• • • • • • • • •

moistened towelettes bar soap latex gloves aspirin and non-aspirin pain reliever antacid anti-diarrhea medication insect repellent hydrogen peroxide to disinfect wounds antibiotic ointment to dress wounds sunscreen safety pins needle and thread plastic bags sanitary pads instant cold packs pocket knife splinting materials

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration or cooking, and little or no water.

• canned meats, fruits, and vegetables • canned juices and soups • high energy foods – peanut butter, granola bars, trail mix, beef jerky • “comfort” foods – cookies, hard candy, etc.

• • • • • • • •

First Aid Supplies

• paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils • battery-operated AM radio • extra batteries • flashlight • non-electric can opener • ABC fire extinguisher • whistle • toilet paper and towelettes • liquid soap

• • • • • • •

sterile 4” adhesive bandages sterile 4” x 4” gauze pads 4” rolled gauze bandages large triangular bandages butterfly bandages adhesive tape scissors and tweezers

Tools and Supplies

• feminine supplies • roll of plastic and duct tape to seal broken windows

Special Items • extra eye glasses • prescription drugs and medications • baby diapers, food, and formula • a family picture • games and books • copies of insurance policies • bank account numbers • inventory of valuables • family records • contact lens solution • denture adhesive

Clothing and Bedding • • • • • •

one complete change of clothes blankets or sleeping bags mylar blankets sturdy shoes warm socks hat and gloves — Source: Lewis County Emergency Management

Making a Vehicle Emergency Kit A disaster, by definition, is any event that overwhelms a person or agency’s ability to respond. Disasters typically happen with little or no warning, and can leave us cut off from outside support for 3-7 days, or longer in widespread events.

An emergency is a sudden, usually unexpected event that does or could do harm to people, resources, property, or the environment. While there are no guarantees, individuals who are prepared typically experience a reduction in loss, injury, damage, and trauma. Neighborhoods that are prepared and ready to complete initial response activity also help minimize the tasks of the emergency responders.

The key to successful preparedness is to take one hour a month to complete one preparedness task. Begin or continue your family preparedness by completing the following preparedness assignment.

If inclement weather is present in your area and if you must drive, make sure your vehicle is operating safely.

Stay tuned to your radio for updates on weather conditions. Make sure you have prepared and stored a Vehicle Emergency Kit in your car trunk.

LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019 • 11

Some Items for Consideration Include:

• Flares • Flashlight with extra batteries • Duct tape • Tire inflation can • Emergency poncho or raincoat • Clean towel • Roll of toilet paper • Container of handy wipes • Maps • Small plastic tarp • Small fire extinguisher • Small tool kit with a knife • Bottled water and high energy food, non-perishable • Booster cables • Emergency blanket • First Aid kit and manual • Lightweight nylon cord/ rope • Cat litter (for tire traction) in a coffee can • Folding campers saw and folding shovel • Pair of work gloves • Wool blankets or sleeping bags More information: www. lewiscountywa.gov; www.ready.gov — Source: Lewis County Emergency Management

Make your own emergency supplies bucket kit.

Making a Bucket Kit Some Items for Consideration Include: • 5 gallon bucket with toilet paper and plastic garbage bags • Matches, lighter-fire-starter • Duct Tape • Air horn or whistle • Tarp • Pair of work gloves • NOAA Weather radio with tone alert and a pocket radio • Knife

• Masks • MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) or freeze dried meal packets • Rope • Bottle of drinking water • Flashlight with batteries • First Aid Kit • Latex gloves • Emergency blanket (solar reflective blanket) • Clean white hand towel • Other: extra clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, medications, water, food, etc.

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12 • LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019

What is Lewis County Alert?

in a variety of ways: home/business phone, cell, email, text messages and more. You pick where and how you want to receive messages on up to 10 different devices.

• Emergency road closures and river gage levels

Lewis County Alert is a free service that allows you to receive notifications about emergencies and other important community information. This system enables the county to provide this information

Receive Up-to-the-minute Emergency Alerts and Follow-up Notices on:

• Evacuation notices and instructions

• Public safety and health issues • Water system advisories and concerns

• Sudden storms and flood warnings • Wildfire notifications

Who Should Sign-up?

All businesses and individuals who are located, work or live in Lewis

County that wish to be notified of emergency and disaster incidents should sign up for this robust alert system. If you have a mobile cell phone, our ability to reach and notify you is extremely effective in getting you critical information that informs you of the threat, what we are doing about it, and what we are asking you to do.

How to Subscribe:

To sign-up, go to the Lewis County website www.lewiscountywa.gov.

Scroll down the main page and click the Lewis County Alert symbol.

Required information includes your name, address (must be in Lewis County) city, state and zip code.

The system allows multiple cell phones and landline numbers.

Alerts are free and no solicitors will call.

For information or to contact Emergency Management go to www.lewiscountywa.gov; 360.7401151.

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LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019 • 13

Yard Birds Owner Shares Lessons Learned From Flood of 2007

An Excerpt From the Book ‘The Flood of 2007: Disaster and Survival on the Chehalis River’:

Darris McDaniel Suggests Business Owners Have a Plan to Move Critical Equipment, and Buy Plenty of Insurance Chronicle photo

The Yard Bird appears as if it is floating in a pond after the disastrous flood of 2007.

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In the book “The Flood of 2007: Disaster and Survival on the Chehalis River,” The Chronicle staff put together an exhaustive, 138-page glossy account of the first three weeks of the flood disaster.

It includes a story about how Shop’n Kart’s owner Darris McDaniel refused to fold up and close his business, despite a high level of damage (the book can still be purchased at the front desk of The Chronicle for $10; $15 gets you the book and a DVD of our video coverage).

McDaniel first leased the massive Yard Birds building and put a grocery store in it just after the flood of 1990. The building was a mess. He cleaned the muck up. Six years later he owned the property when another flood hit.

It is an understatement to say that McDaniel understands the impact of a flood on a business. Eleven years after the flood of 2007, called a 500-year flood, McDaniel shares lessons learned for current business owners.

McDaniel said when the 1996 flood hit, it came as a big surprise. The previous 1990 flood left about 12 inches of water in his grocery store. In 1996 it reached about 44 inches.

“We were prepared, for sure, but not anything like that,” he said.

When news of an impending flood in 2007 made its rounds, before the water poured over the Mellen Street dike, McDaniel was ready. Kind of. The employees started putting items on the

second floor. McDaniel wasn’t going to lose equipment such as phones and computers as he did in 1996.

“We started getting all the things upstairs so we didn’t have to rebuild the store (in 2007),” McDaniel said.

McDaniel is a car collector, and he had just finished a complete rebuild of a ‘57 Chevy in 2007. It was parked at Yard Birds. Unfortunately, he did not get it out of the way of the flood. He did have $35,000 in insurance on the car, but it was worth upwards of $95,000.

“You do learn lessons professionally and personally,” McDaniel said of being a business owner located in a flood zone.

In 1996 he had $250,000 insurance coverage. Damage was $2 million. In 2007 he upped his insurance coverage to $2.8 million. That flood hit a peak in his store of about 80 inches. His damage in 2007 was $4.4 million.

“The lesson if we have another flood is to start moving stuff up to the higher ground and have plenty of insurance,” he said.

McDaniel became active after the floods in attempting to promote flood mitigation projects. Today he is a bit melancholic about mitigation efforts.

“The sad, sad thing of this whole flood thing we had is it is still being addressed and addressed and all we do is talk about it,” he said, adding a third lesson is we are still in the danger of flooding if another weather pattern of a Pineapple Express preceded by a snow in the foothills revisits the Willapa Hills area and the Chehalis River Basin.

On Dec. 3, (2007) Shop‘n Kart closed between 8:30 and 9 p.m. after learning about the rising floodwaters. Darris McDaniel left the store at 6 p.m. to his house on State Route 6 toward Adna and Pe Ell, but had someone stay at Shop‘n Kart to monitor the flood levels and progress of the Chehalis River.

At the time of closing, Shop‘n Kart’s parking lot didn’t have floodwater on it, but had six feet by 10:30 p.m.

“It came real quick,” McDaniel said. “My brother (Shop‘n Kart Vice President Gary McDaniel) called and told me it was too late. He said water was coming in at about two feet a minute.”

Shop‘n Kart is a two-story building with other businesses such as Weight Watchers upstairs, and 17 employees were stuck on the top floor when the floodwaters came rushing into the store. The employees had to stay there until they could be rescued by boat, but some dedicated employees waited until the floodwaters had receded.

“I have sympathy and admiration for them.

These are all my people,” McDaniel said.

“Their dedication is why we’ll be open this quickly.”

Considering the level of water surrounding the Yard Birds Mall, which even made the signature yard bird in front of the mall seem like it was swimming on top of the water, the turnaround to open Shop‘n Kart was quick. A week and a half after the floods, many of the shopping aisles appeared to be well-stocked, fresh fruit looked ripe and ready and the muddy floors were all clean.

14 • LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019

movie review

both incorrect and a strange, rude hill to die on).

As if the film is concerned that the audience will lose interest immediately, “Escape Room” starts at the end, as a lone man, Ben (Logan Miller), Horror-Thriller Won’t Send desperately tries to figure out the clues in a room that is quickly closing You Running for the Exit in on itself, “Star Wars” trash-compactor-style. It’s certainly a jolt of energy

By Lindey Bahr up front, but right as things are looking THE ASSOCIATED PRESS really bleak for Ben, it cuts to “three In retrospect, it’s actually kind of days earlier.” It’s cheap and a little surprising that there hasn’t been an insulting to have to reassure the audiescape room-themed horror movie ence that there is some exciting and until now. The popular interactive harrowing stuff to come as long as mystery games are kind of mini films. they get through all the boring introThere’s a built-in set, stakes, opportu- ductory stuff. At least it doesn’t resort nities for conflict and teamwork and to the old record-scratch, freezeframe, “you’re proba logical start and ★★ “Escape Room,” ably wondering how I finish. It’s certainly a with Logan Miller, Taylor Russell, got here” standby. more obvious fit for a Jay Ellis, Deborah Ann Woll, Tyler The thing is, movie than a board Labine, Nik Dodani. Directed by “Escape Room” isn’t game or theme park Adam Robitel, from a screenplay actually all that bad, ride.

by Bragi F. Schut and Maria Melnik. just kind of silly, but it So, from the imagi100 minutes. Rated PG-13 for takes a moment to nations of “Fast & perilous action, violence, suggestive re-adjust your expecFurious” producer material and language. tations after that conNeal H. Moritz and Multiple theaters. descending begin“Insidious: The Last Key” director Adam Robitel comes ning, and a very phoned-in intro“Escape Room,” where the charac- duction to the unlucky six Chicago ters are as random as an audience- strangers who all receive a mysterichosen improv group (Investment ous box and decide, what the heck, banker! Soldier! Miner! Smart teen! let’s check out this escape room.

Grocer!), the rooms look like dis- There’s the skittish but brilliant college carded Nine Inch Nails music video student Zoey (Taylor Russell), the ruthsets (not exactly a criticism), the less finance guy Jason (Jay Ellis), the stakes are $10,000 or death, which veteran who hates heat, Amanda seem far too low and too high, and (Deborah Ann Woll), the regular joe, everyone agrees that Petula Clark’s Mike (Tyler Labine) and the escape “Downtown” is a bad song (which is room obsessive who honestly never

‘Escape Room’

‘Sicilian Ghost Story’ Fairy-Tale Love Meets Real-Life Crime

By Jeannette Catsoulis

THE NEW YORK TIMES

A divine blend of natural and supernatural, fantasy and actuality, “Sicilian Ghost Story” reflects the horrors of a Mafia kidnapping through the prism of first love.

Shadowing Giuseppe (Gaetano Fernandez), a handsome teen from a wealthy family, into the woods one

David Bloom / Sony Pictures

Clockwise from foreground center: Jay Ellis, Taylor Russell, Logan Miller and Tyler Labine in “Escape Room.”

does all that much to help, Danny (Nik Dodani).

Curiously no one seems all that concerned about the odd premise that this team activity could have a single winner at all, or perhaps they think they’ll all win $10,000. I guess it becomes clearer when people start dying in the rooms.

And, boy, are they put through the wringer. The have to brave extreme heat, extreme cold, poison, drugs, rising tensions and body counts while trying to figure out how to get out of each puzzle room, a few of which are pretty interesting. It’s like a “Final Destination” spinoff where each character’s past trauma haunts them. Mercifully, all the carnage is

kept to tolerable PG-13 levels.

The filmmakers haven’t gone so far as to put you in the game, too. A lot of it is watching all the characters find keys and have their own revelations, so by the time you get to the fifth room, it’s understandable if interest is starting to wane a bit even with the addition of a link between the six people.

The third act really kind of blows it though and the movie essentially ends with a shrug and the possibility for a sequel. You could do worse in January. And anyone already interested in the idea of an escape room that tries to kill you probably isn’t expecting all that much out of this anyway.

sunlit afternoon, young Luna (Julia seem strangely unwilling to pursue.

Jedlikowska) stares, entranced, Interspersing Luna’s quest with as butter flies float on Giuseppe’s scenes of Giuseppe’s torment, the fingers and small writers and directors, woodland animals “Sicilian Ghost Story,” Fabio Grassadonia with Julia Jedlikowska, Gaetano scurry at their feet. and Antonio Fernandez, Corinne Musallari, Her parents warn Piazza (whose 2014 Andrea Falzone, Federico her not to see him, feature, “Salvo,” Finocchiaro. Directed by Fabio muttering darkly was similarly resistant Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza; about a problematic to classification), father, but Luna is written by Grassadonia and Piazza. flip the tone from 122 minutes. In Italian with English in love. And when bucolic to brutal subtitles.

Not rated. Grand Illusion.

Giuseppe misses with distressing ease.

The New York Times does not school and is absent Water plops from the provide star ratings with reviews. from his forbiddingly sweating stones of shuttered home, Luna refuses to a dank underground cavern where abandon a search that the villagers Luna’s mother takes regular saunas

(the wonderful sound design is by Guillaume Sciamá), and a mysterious lake waits ominously to link the living and the dead.

Unfolding like a fairy tale and based on the shocking abduction and murder of a Mafia informant’s son in 1993, this beautifully realized movie casts a sensitive, secretive spell. At once mystical and gruesome, Luca Bigazzi’s sensuous images carve their own magical reality, daring us to disbelieve the telepathic tendrils that draw Luna to Giuseppe’s side. She may not be able to save his life, but she’ll fight to the end to honor their love.

LEWIS COUNTY WEEKENDER • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, WA. Thursday, January 10, 2019 • 15

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