A strong frontal system brought gusty wind and heavy rain to the region early Wednesday lead to widespread power outages and downed tree branches and power lines. Much of the area experienced gusts ranging from 35 mph up to 55 mph in the interior lowlands, and around 65 mph along the coast.
Much of western Oregon is under a flood watch starting Thursday morning.
Road Closures
Most highways that had been closed earlier Wednesday, including U.S. 20 east of Sweet Home and Oregon Highway 126 east of Vida, have re-opened. Some closures remain in effect, especially in the northern Willamette Valley and the northern Oregon coast.
The Oregon Department of Transportation said additional road closures could occur this week rain and wind return to the area.
ODOT spokesperson Mindy McCartt said “most, if not all” of Wednesday's closures were the result of downed power lines. In some cases, re-opening the road depended on power companies’ abilities to access the scene and resolve the issue.
With closures across the state, resources are stretched thin, McCartt said.
Wet roads and tree uprooting are anticipated throughout the week, and delays should be expected for all travel.
Officials encourage looking at TripCheck.com for updated information on closures and detours before leaving the house, as GPS can be unreliable.
Flooding potential
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Eugene and much of the Willamette Valley, starting at 4 a.m. Thursday. Some areas could see more than three inches of rain.
Marion Suitor Barnes, a spokesperson for Eugene Public Works, said Eugene has stormwater infrastructure that will mitigate the conditions, although residents should prepare for possible emergencies.
Recommendations include clearing gutters and storm drains, stocking up on food and preparing for travel in advance.
In the meantime, Public Works is monitoring and adapting to the changing conditions.
“Back in March, around St. Patrick’s Day, we had another heavy rainfall and flooding event, and there were certain things that we were watching then that I’m sure we will be watching again now,” she said. “So, we’re aware of their condition, but you just never know what’s going to happen in these situations.”
Suitor Barnes said community members can find updates on the Public Works website.
Landslides are also possible
Along with the potential for flooding, downed trees and power outages, landslides could also be a concern.
Bill Burns, an engineering geologist at the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, or DOGAMI, said conditions are ripe for landslides because of back to back storms last week, followed by more rain less than a week later.
“We're not getting a lot of time in between these storms,” Burns told KLCC. “Which doesn't allow all the soils to drain, and the soils will get completely saturated, and that's when we start to see landslides and debris flows.”
Burns said the landslide that closed Highway 229 near Siletz was unusually large, but that the Coast Range is prone to slides, because of its geology. He said the area of the Holiday Farm Fire, and other recent wildfires, are also susceptible.
DOGAMI recently released hazard maps for areas affected by wildfires. Burns said the maps were several years in the making, and are a good resource for anyone living in or traveling near wildfire scars. There’s also a Statewide Landslide Information Database for Oregon, or SLIDO.
He advises people to remain alert for landslides even a day or two after the rains stop, because earth movements may happen after a storm, as was the case for the landslide on Highway 229.
Power outages
As of Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., more than 50,000 utility customers remained without power in Oregon. The largest number of outages were in Marion and Clackamas Counties. In Lane County, at least 1,100 customers remained without power on Wednesday evening, and nearly 1,700 outages were reported in Linn County.
On the coast, Central Lincoln PUD said Wednesday evening that anyone who did not have power by 8 p.m. would have to wait until at least Thursday. But the utility said the next round of weather won't make things any easier.
"We are in for another round of high winds, coupled with significant rainfall," the utility said on its website. "We expect to see significant additional outages as that system comes through. We will do everything we can to quickly and safely restore your power, but we can’t stress enough how important it is to be prepared for potential outages."
The bulk of Central Lincoln PUD's customers without power Wednesday night were in Lincoln County.
The outages prompted a reminder from the Oregon State Fire Marshal about the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning risks.
Carbon monoxide is a deadly odorless and tasteless gas produced by generators, propane heaters, and other carbon burning sources.
In a press release, State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz Temple advised only using heaters designed for indoor use inside, and to never use an oven or stove to heat your home. Generators should only be used outdoors in a well-ventilated space, at least 20 feet away from any building.
Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. If you experience these symptoms, go to fresh air and contact 9-1-1.
