Potential flooding, heavy rainfall expected in Salem through Tuesday
Heavy rainfall over the weekend has creeks and rivers around Salem running high, with a flood watch in effect for most of Oregon and southwest Washington through Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Sites around Salem have received between two and three inches of rain over the past two days, according to Mid-Willamette Valley High Water Watch.
“Periods of heavy rainfall will continue today & tomorrow across NW Oregon & SW Washington, which combined with rain that has already fallen since Friday will cause flooding concerns across the region,” according to a flood watch advisory from the National Weather Service’s Portland office.
The heaviest precipitation will likely happen Monday night, when NWS expects up to half an inch, followed by an 80% chance of precipitation Tuesday.
There is a higher potential for flooding in urban areas with poor drainage and along rivers and creeks that drain from the Coast Range and Cascades, according to the warning.
In Salem, local creeks are running high but expected to stay below flood levels.
High water was visible Sunday in rural areas surrounding Salem, with fields outside West Salem flooded and ditches and streams spilling onto Polk County roads.
The water levels of the Willamette River in Salem are higher than usual at 17.57 feet, according to data from the United States Geological Survey, up from about 12 feet on Sunday. The flood level of the Willamette River is 28 ft.
Along with the flood warning, NWS has issued a wind advisory through Tuesday morning affecting the entire Willamette Valley and Portland area. NWS expects winds to peak early Monday evening to Monday night with gusts of up to 50 mph, and warns that “tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”
NWS recommends turning around when approaching flooded roads, driving slowly to avoid hydroplaning and keeping a safe distance between vehicles.
The city of Salem has flood safety tips on its website with information on how to prepare for a flood and keep safe during a flood.People in need to sandbags in Salem can see a city map of sandbag fill stations here. As of Monday morning, sandbags were available at the public works operations building, 1457 23rd St. S.E.
Contact reporter Alan Cohen: [email protected].
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Alan Cohen is an intern at the Salem Reporter and an undergraduate at Willamette University. Born and raised in Spain, he has also been involved in student journalism for three years, and is passionate about bringing a voice to underrepresented communities through ethical reporting.
