An “atmospheric river” – essentially a fire hydrant running straight into Oregon off the Pacific Ocean – has allowed the state’s real rivers to run dangerously high and fast, the National Meteorological Agency said today. “A series of wet storm systems will result in rising rivers along the Northwest Pacific in the coming days,” the NWS Portland office wrote on June 11. between Vancouver and Celso late at the weekend until the beginning of next week “. Meteorologists expect Colombia to reach as high as at least three years, he wrote. From 1:30 p.m. By Saturday, the Columbia River in Vancouver had risen 1.47 feet in 24 hours, the NWS reported. In Salem, the Willamette River had risen 2.22 feet the same day. In the last 24 hours, much of Portland received more than 1.5 inches of rain, a record for the date. The Grand Floral Parade on Saturday morning avoided the heaviest rainfall, but more rain is expected tonight. Early reports indicated that none of the Portland Rivers had reached the floodplain – and on Saturday afternoon, the NWS withdrew a flood warning for Johnson Creek in southeast Portland. But it is unusual for rivers to run so high during the peak summer recreation period, and officials have hinted that they are worried that the sloppy revelers would try something silly, such as going down the Sandy when it looks like the Loom River. Marines and lifeguards warn swimmers to stay away from local rivers for several days after heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt. The Sandy River (pictured) is very swollen, moving fast and there are many dangers. pic.twitter.com/Y3m2S4O3xx – Multnomah Co. Sheriff’s Office (@MultCoSO) June 11, 2022 “Sailors and lifeguards are warning swimmers to stay away from local rivers for several days after heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt,” the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office warned on social media. “The Sandy River (pictured) is very swollen, moving fast and there are a lot of dangers.” NWS similarly urged boaters to be careful. Logs and rocks will not be as visible in high water and could damage boats. Rivers can also affect movement, NWS wrote: “Interstate 5 bridge lifts are more common during periods of high flow on the Columbia River.” (Willamette River Bridges will see delays on their own. It’s fleet week.) UPDATE: 17:30: On Saturday afternoon, Portland Parks & Recreation announced that the swollen Willamette River had forced the city to close the floating section of the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade. “As the water rises from the recent continuing rainfall, it has raised the waterway so that the junctions between the bridge and the solid, concrete pavement are approaching at inappropriate angles,” wrote park spokesman Mark Ross. “Portland Parks & Recreation’s primary concern is the safety of the public and appreciates the people who comply with the temporary closure.”
