The latest reports from the Pacific Northwest reveal that the morning Seattle newspapers still haven’t hit many doorsteps thanks to a major wind and rain storm in the region.

But the online editions are there. Both the Times and Post-Intelligencer are updating their Web sites regularly today. Lost Remote reported that both major papers have published electronic editions (Times, P-I) through Olive Software.

For those who do have power (more than 1.5 million are without it, according to the Associated Press) and people out of the area who are concerned about the situation, the Web sites are invaluable sources of information.

This situation, like Hurricane Katrina (and NOLA.com and the Times-Picayune’s heroic efforts during that time) highlight the importance of having contingency plans for times when newspaper carriers and delivery people can’t safely do their jobs. And it’s a good trial run for the future when more and more publications go online-only.

It’s also a good excuse to post links to newspaper emergency planning articles. They are in reverse chronological order:

From Katrina to Rita: Coverage Q&A (Poynter, September 2005)

Journalism on the Border: The Beaumont Enterprise, Shreveport Times Prepare for Rita (Poynter, September 2005)

Preparing for Disaster: Are You Ready? (FM Global for NAA, PowerPoint presentation, 2003)

Covering Emergencies (Poynter, February 2003)

In Event of Emergency: Is Your Newsroom Prepared to Leave the Building? (Poynter, November 2001)

Sites Prepare Contingency Plans to Manage Massive Traffic Surges (Digital Edge, November 2001)