PORTLAND, Ore. – Heavy rains on Saturday could bring flooding and landslides to the region this weekend.
A Flood Watch is in effect in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington until Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.
A Flood Warning continued for the Clackamas River near Estacada, but flooding projections were downgraded to minor on Sunday.
The rain arrived in the region Saturday morning and the mountains were the hardest hit, forecasters said.
The heaviest rain will taper off Sunday, according to KGW Meteorologist Rod Hill.
Some rivers could continue to rise and approach flood stage over the next couple of days, according to the NWS.
Residents pack up, leave homes
Residents along the Clackamas River did not take any chances on Saturday. They loaded up U-Haul trucks and began moving to higher ground. People living in the Paradise Park, Twin Islands and Starr Road areas were put on Level 1 evacuation notices (be ready to leave), according to the Estacada Rural Fire District.
"It's roughly 100 homes in that area. We try to give plenty of notice," said Estacada Fire Chief Jason Crowe.
Mary Lou Russell packed up her belongings Saturday.
"I was hoping (the river) would be projected down this morning, but it was projected up," she said.
Forecasters predicted the Clackamas River would reach 28 feet by Sunday evening.
Victor Watson's home flooded three years ago.
"It looked my house was going to get picked up," Watson said. "Honestly, it's scary. No one realizes how scary it is until it all comes down."
KGW Meteorologist Rod Hill expects the following rain totals this weekend:
- 8-10 inches in the foothills and Cascades
- 4-8 inches along the coast
- 2-4 inches in the western valleys
The heavy rain means landslides and debris flows are possible this weekend, according to the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI).
"Areas like bases of steep hillsides, canyon bottoms, road cuts, and places where landslides have previously occurred are particularly hazardous and should be avoided," the department said in a news release.
Warning signs for landslides include trickles of falling debris or mud, and sounds like cracking trees that might indicate land movement, the department said.
"Landslides will be a reality in future major flood events," says Bill Burns, DOGAMI engineering geologist. "And because Oregon's population is growing, more people, places and property may be at risk."
The Oregon Department of Transportation will have extra crews out this weekend.
"One of the things they'll be doing is looking out for slides," said ODOT spokesman Don Hamilton. "If you look, if you see an additional trickle of rocks. If you see a trickle of water that hasn't been there before, if you start to see some brush come down the hillside slope, those are the things that may be indicating that a slide may be coming."
Sandbags
Sandbags are available at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro.
In Marion County, residents can pick up sandbags at the Marion County Fire District #1, located at 300 Cordon Rd. NE. The site is open 24 hours.
Flood safety tips
The Red Cross released the following flood safety tips:
- Check "go" kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply. Keep it nearby.
- Fill plastic bottles with clean water for drinking.
- Fill car gas tank in case of evacuation notice.
- Move furniture and valuables to higher floors of the home.
- Unplug small appliances to reduce potential damage.
- Consider precautionary evacuation of animals, especially large or numerous ones.
- Avoid contact with floodwater as it may be contaminated.
- Be prepared to evacuate quickly and know your departure route/destination.
