Potential Danger of Debris Flows in Western Oregon (LOCAL UPDATES)

Advice from the National Weather Service about how to stay alive during floods and land or "debris" slides.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The National Weather Service in Portland has Highlighted the potential debris flows and landslides as part of the Flood Watch for large portions of Oregon.

These areas include the north and central Oregon Coast, the north and central Coast Range of Western Oregon.

Also, the Lower Columbia Basin, the Greater Portland Metro area, the Central and South Willamette Valley, the Western Columbia River Gorge and the Northern Oregon Cascade Foothills.

Debris flows are dangerous rapidly moving landslides. Steep slopes, canyons, gorges and the mouths of mountain streams are the locations at greatest risk.

People who live or travel through these locations should be alert to the possibility of debris flows during or shortly after periods of intense rainfall.

Do this by monitoring the Internet, and listening to the radio, TV, or a weather radio for flood watches, which include the potential for debris flows.

They also recommend listening for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides.

If water in a river or stream suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream.

The experts also say people should assume highways are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Don't overdrive your headlights. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road.

Landowners and road managers should check road drainage systems and conduct needed maintenance in case the predicted heavy precipitation does occur.

o Oregon 240 is open following a two vehicle crash at mile point 9.8, about two miles west of Newberg.

o Oregon 34 (Alsea Highway) is open at mile point 31 after crews cleared fallen trees on the highway.

o U.S. 101 in northern Tillamook is closed at mile points 64.5 – 65.5. A detour is in place.

o U.S. 101 is closed at mile point 83, four miles north of Cloverdale, because of a large debris slide.

o Oregon 6 (Wilson River Highway) is also closed because of high water from mile points 1- 2.5, just east of Tillamook. A detour is in place using local roads.

o Oregon 22 (Three Rivers Highway) is closed from mile points 10 – 22, between the junction with Oregon 18 (Salmon River Highway) and U.S. 101, where crews report high standing water.

o Oregon 153 (Bellevue-Hopewell Highway) is closed one mile east of its junction with Oregon 18 due to high water.

o U.S. 20 (Corvallis-Newport Highway) is closed at mile point 21 to do rock and debris sliding onto the roadway.

o Oregon 22 (North Santiam Highway) is open, east of Stayton. Crews are flagging while they work on the shoulder, continuing to clear trees. Drive with caution.

3:05 AM 1-2-08 Heavy rains have inundated Clackamas County over the past 24 hours triggering landslides, closing roadways and overfilling local rivers and creeks and flooding local roads. Clackamas County has activated its Emergency Operations Center to assist local jurisdictions and agencies with flooding issues and other problems associated with the torrential rains. 3:05 AM 1-2-08 The following road closures are reported due to landslides.

The county's Emergency Operations Center has been activated to assist local jurisdictions and agencies with flooding-related issues. The county's call center has also been opened for anyone to report non-life threatening issues related to the flooding or to provide information about local resources. The number to call is (503) 655-8224.

Several local rivers and creeks are at or near flood stage. Localized flooding has begun in some areas and is expected in others. Residents needing sandbags may be able to obtain them at the following locations. Please be warned that the stockpile of available resources may be less than expected due to demand.

• Eagle Creek Fire Station, 32200 SE Judd Rd. off Hwy. 211, in Eagle Creek. Call (503) 663-4638.

• Gladstone Public Works, 18595 Portland Ave., Gladstone. Call (503) 656-7957 or after-hours call (503) 655-8211.

• Molalla, Bohlander Field. Call (503) 829-6855. After-hours call (503) 829-6855.

• Oregon City, 122 S. Center Street. Residents can help themselves any time of the day.

1:50 AM 1-2-08 ODOT Region 1: All lanes of U.S. 26 (Mt. Hood Highway) are closed east of milepost 35, near Alder Creek, by a landslide. Please avoid this area. The automobile detour uses county roads Marmot Rd, Sleepy Hollow Road and Ten Eyck Road; large trucks cannot use this detour; they should use I-84 through the Columbia gorge to either Oregon 35 or U.S. 97. 1:50 AM 1-2-08 ° OR 213 is closed by high water at Meyers Road, milepost 3.7.

1:50 AM 1-2-08 ° OR 212 is closed by high water near U.S. 26 (Mt. Hood Highway).

1:50 AM 1-2-08 ° ODOT has activated the debris flow warning system (flashing lights) for Interstate 84 through the Columbia Gorge and Oregon 6 (the Wilson River Highway). The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for Tillamook and Marathon Counties, among many others (see www.wrh.noaa.gov/warnings.php?wfo=pqr); part of the flood warning message reads, "Landslides and debris flows are possible during this flood event. People, structures and roads located below steep slopes, in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk from rapidly moving landslides."

° The affected area along I-84 stretches from milepost 20 to milepost 40-between Troutdale and Cascade Locks

° The affected area along OR 6 stretches from milepost 4.2 to milepost 49-between the city of Tillamook and OR 47 (the Nehalem Highway) UPDATE

11:32 PM ODOT Region 1: All lanes of U.S. 26 (Mt. Hood Highway) are closed at milepost 35, near Alder Creek, by a landslide. Please avoid this area. More when we have more.

11:32 PM ODOT has activated the debris flow warning system (flashing lights) for Interstate 84 through the Columbia Gorge and Oregon 6 (the Wilson River Highway).

11:32 PM The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for Tillamook and Marathon Counties, among many others (see wrh.noaa.gov/warnings.php?wfo=pqr); part of the flood warning message reads, "Landslides and debris flows are possible during this flood event. People, structures and roads located below steep slopes, in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk from rapidly moving landslides."

11:32 PM * The affected area along I-84 stretches from milepost 20 to milepost 40-between Troutdale and Cascade Locks

11:32 PM * The affected area along OR 6 stretches from milepost 4.2 to milepost 49-between the city of Tillamook and OR 47 (the Nehalem Highway) UPDATE

6:36 PM ODOT Region 2: SEASIDE - High water on the roadway has closed U.S. 101 at mile point 23, between Seaside and U.S. 101's junction with U.S. 26. Crews report almost a foot of standing water, making it difficult to see the road and creating unsafe travel conditions through the area.

A detour has been established via Oregon 202 and Oregon 103 to U.S. 26. Please visit www.tripcheck.com for updates.

11:36 PM ODOT Region 2: High water is affecting travel on several coastal highways. Please visit www.tripcheck.com for the latest road conditions and updates. 11:36 PM o U.S. 101 (Pacific Coast Highway) is closed to low profile vehicles at mile point 23, where crews report almost a foot of standing water.

11:36 PM o Oregon 6 (Wilson River Highway) is also closed because of high water from mile points 1- 2.5. A detour is in place using local roads.

11:36 PM o Oregon 22 (Three Rivers Highway) is closed from mile points 10 – 22, between the junction with Oregon 18 (Salmon River Highway) and U.S. 101, where crews report 16 inches of water.

11:36 PM o Oregon 18 is open, but crews report high water in places near its junction with U.S. 101. Drive with extra caution. UPDATE

6:36 PM ODOT Region 2: GRAND RONDE – High water has closed Oregon 22 (Three Rivers Highway) from mile points 21-22, about four miles west of the junction with Oregon 18 (Salmon River Highway). Crews report about 16 inches of water over the road surface. No estimate for reopening is available.