Oregon Officials Discuss Safety During Floods (VIDEO)

Oregon's Emergency Management agency shares some words of advice with Salem-News.com viewers.

The Heiple Landslide Photo courtesy: Troy Buzalsky/Clackamas County

(SALEM, Ore.) - In this special video report, Jennifer Bailey with Oregon Emergency Management, talks to Salem-News.com about what steps residents should take in preparing for flooding conditions as rivers reach and exceed bank levels in different parts of western Oregon The Willamette River in Salem is running at a very high level, but Friday has been good for many parts of Oregon including the capitol city, where residents have feared flooding from the state's swollen rivers. While Salem is faring well, that is not the case in many parts of the state. Areas with residential and business development along rivers require extra measures to protect property. At times, Bailey says, the best thing to do is evacuate. She says another serious problem in Oregon involves drivers who choose to ignore 'closed street' signs. She explains that drivers in flooded areas can hit sections of road that disappeared but are not visible. Each year drivers die from conditions produced by flooding. Bailey says it is never worth it. "Our saying around here is, "Don't drown, turn around." Columbia County, a scene of severe flooding last December, declared a state of emergency today. Portland has reported a number of street and road closures. Lake Oswego has experienced a mudslide that still has one home under an evacuation order. Other developments and updates:

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