Weather Service Warns of Heavy Rains and High Winds, Watch for High Water and Downed Trees
Attention: this was a news article posting from 2018
The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rain and high winds through Sunday that could produce high water, localized flooding, fallen trees and downed power lines on roads or yards.
Heavy rains and high winds could make for hazardous travel conditions in the days ahead. Travelers in the region should use extreme caution and check for conditions on their route at ODOT’s www.tripcheck.com
The City of Wilsonville reminds residents to rake storm-drains clear of debris and leaves to prevent localized flooding or high water. Additionally, residents should consider parking vehicles away from any leaning or unstable trees. Downed power lines should be assumed to be charged with electricity, avoided and reported to PGE. PGE’s 24-hour line to report power outages or downed power lines is 800-544-1795.
To report problems with downed trees or flooding, the City’s Public Works 24-hour emergency line is toll-free 866-252-3614.
ODOT is gearing up for this round of heavy rain and flooding and will close any flooded highway presenting a safety hazard. Travelers should also expect road closures due to downed trees.
Travelers must obey road closure signs for their own safety and for the safety of highway workers. Traveling through flooded roads could cause you to be swept away or stall in high water. Heavy rain often means limited visibility, reduced tire traction and less predictable car handling.
ODOT recommends that as you travel in hazardous weather conditions:
• Watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists during conditions of poor visibility when it may be harder to see people walking or biking.
• Slow down. Allow more time to get where you are going and allow for plenty of distance between cars, which need two or three times more stopping distance on wet roads.
• Look out for downed trees and other debris in the road.
• Don’t travel through high water and flooded roads. Driving through several inches of water can cause you to lose control of the car and could splash water into the engine and stall it. Lowering your speed helps you prepare for sudden stops caused by debris and other wet-weather hazards.
• Disengage the cruise control.
• Expect power outages. Traffic signals affected by power outages are treated as a four-way stop.
• Allow more time to reach your destination. In severe weather, closures and crashes can cause long delays.
• Plan ahead by leaving extra time when driving in heavy rain and windy conditions.
PGE recommends that downed power lines are dangerous and to never touch them; report downed lines to 800-544-1795, or www.portlandgeneral.com/outages/outage-map.
For safety’s sake, always assume that a fallen power line is live, and follow these guidelines:
• Avoid touching the downed line with your hand or an object, such as a stick, broom or pole.
• Avoid touching anything, such as a car, object or equipment, or anyone who is in contact with a fallen power line.
• Keep children and pets at least 35 feet away from fallen electric lines.
• Avoid driving over a fallen power line.
The City’s Public Works Department provides residents free sand and sandbags for filling at the Community Garden, located at 7524 SW Schroeder Way, off of Wilsonville Road just east of Memorial Park.
