Update 5:30 p.m.: Five Marion County roads have closed today and will likely remain closed Tuesday, said Public Works Director Brian Nicholas. They can be viewed here.
Three city of Salem parks and county roads are closed or will close as heavy rainfall raises the potential for flooding this week.
Salem officials announced Monday that Wallace Marine Park, 200 Glenn Creek Road N.W.; Minto-Brown Island Park, 2100 Minto Island Road S.E.; and West Salem Park, 265 Rosemont Ave. N.W., will all close Monday.
Jimmy Jones, executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, said homeless encampments near Wallace Marine aren’t likely to be affected by the closures.
“It won’t impact most of the homeless population that are living in that area because most of them are not actually camping in Wallace Marine Park, most in that part of town are actually camping on private property by the quarry, which wouldn’t be affected by such a closure,” he said.
Several city and county roads will close.
Marion County has already closed Hazelgreen Road N.E. between Brush Creek Road N.E. and Torvend Road N.E. River Road South could also close if waters rise high enough, the county said in a press release.
“The current forecasts for the Willamette River in Salem indicate that the river level is steadily rising from heavy rainfall,” the county wrote in a press release. “When river levels rise to 23 feet, a portion of River Road South floods and Marion County Public Works closes the high water gates located easy of the Independence Bridge and south of Orville Road,” wrote Jolene Bray, of Marion County, in a press release.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office enforces high water closures and drivers who disobey the closures could be cited, the county said.
Salem on Monday specifically highlighted Homestead Road South and Brown Island Road as possible closures. Street signs will be placed in case of closures. Residents can also view road closures on the city’s website.
Sandbag stations will be set up at the following locations
* City of Salem Public Works, 1410 20th St. S.E.
* West Salem Park & Ride, 1439 Brush College Road N.W.
* Lowe’s Home Improvement, 1930 Turner Road S.E.
* Courthouse Fitness, 6250 Commercial St. S.E.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Troy Brynelson at 503-575-9930, [email protected] or @TroyWB.
SUBSCRIBE TO SALEM REPORTER — For $10 a month, you hire our entire news team to work for you all month digging out the news of Salem and state government. You get breaking news alerts, emailed newsletters and around-the-clock access to our stories. We depend on subscribers to pay for in-depth, accurate news. Help us grow and get better with your subscription. Sign up HERE.
