Atmospheric River to Drench Northwest Oregon With Flooding and Landslide Risks, Weather Service Warns

With Portland’s National Weather Service office forecasting heavy rain and mountain snow this week, there’s a strong possibility of high water, flooding, and landslides across NW Oregon.

A “prolonged atmospheric river” is expected to bring widespread heavy rain to the Portland metro area, as well as parts of the coast between Astoria and Tillamook.

The Salem area and the Cascade foothills in Clackamas County will also be affected, and the warning extends into southwest Washington, including the area around Vancouver, Longview, and parts of the Willapa Valley.

Weather officials warned northwest Oregonians to watch out for flooding and landslides.

The agency warned that the rain could cause the banks of rivers, streams, and low-lying bodies of water to swell, endangering people and buildings nearby. In urban areas with poor drainage, streets may flood, and excess runoff may trigger landslides. Gusts of 40 mph are also expected in the northern Willamette Valley, as well as the Coast Range and Cascades, this afternoon.

Stay safe: Ensure you have an evacuation plan in place, monitor weather alerts, and avoid driving into flood-prone areas.