As showers approach Oregon from the west, significant rain is predicted to start falling across the northern part of the state Friday night – and one emergency management office is asking its community to be extra prepared.
Between Friday and Monday morning, Northwest Oregon will likely see 1.5 to 3 inches of rainfall, according to the National Weather Service’s office in Portland. The heaviest rain is expected late Friday night into Saturday morning.
Included in that area is Marion County, where emergency management officials have a message: Be ready for flooding. Since the region’s summer has been hot with little rain, the agency said the dry ground may be overwhelmed by the coming showers.
Since Marion County has faced several major wildfires in the last few years, such as the historic flames in the Santiam Canyon last summer that jolted thousands of households, the county is particularly concerned about flooding in past fire areas.
“Floods are more likely to occur after wildfires due to burned vegetation and charred soil preventing water absorption. You can stage sandbags near entries to buildings, just in case flooding starts to occur. Hay or straw can be used to stabilize soils.” Marion County Emergency Management wrote in a Facebook post.
Officials shared the following tips on how community members can prepare their property for the wet weather:
- Clear gutters and drain canals of debris that may wash into storm drains to avoid those getting clogged.
- Pick up leaves and other debris that could end up on roadways from the rain.