The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Linn County through Thursday night, Dec. 11.
According to the NWS, heavy rain that arrived Monday signalled the beginning of several days of heavy rainfall expected to impact northwestern Oregon and western Washington through late Thursday night.
The precipitation is the result of a “potent trans-Pacific jet stream” that will move sub-tropical moisture from the Pacific, resulting in heavy rainfall at times and warmer-than-normal temperatures.
Isolated to scattered instances of flash flooding are possible near the coast and into the Cascades through midweek, where a slew of flood watches are in effect.
Residents are cautioned that river and urban flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Landslides possible in areas of steep terrain, and debris flows possible over recently burned areas.
Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. 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.
If you live in an area prone to flooding, be prepared to act should flooding develop. For information on how to be prepared, visit https://buff.ly/cjIdnIc.
If you are driving and see a flooded road ahead of you, turn around and don’t drown. Water depth can be hard to gauge, and what looks shallow could in fact be much deeper and strand you and your vehicle, or even get swept away.