Travel Hazards Due to Heavy Rain and Street Flooding

A current list of weather-related road and safety issues for Portland residents to have in mind.

Salem-News.com photo

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Heavy rain and wind are creating a number of driving hazards in the Portland metro area. The Portland Bureau of Transportation Maintenance Operations crews are responding to reports of street flooding, high standing water at corners, clogged catch basins, and drainage problems throughout the city.

Current Street Closures
1. SE 92nd - Division to Powell
2. SW Macadam at SW Carolina

Areas to avoid due to high standing water include the following:
1. SW Arthur at Naito before the Ross Island Bridge
2. NE Lloyd under I-5 behind the Convention Center
3. SE Grand - Pine to Oak
4. SE Foster - 160th to 172nd

For additional information on street closures and highway road conditions, visit ODOT's TripCheck at www.tripcheck.org.

The public is advised of the following potential hazards associated with heavy rain and wind:
- Street flooding, clogged catch basins, and drainage problems
- Pools of standing water all over the city
- Fallen tree limbs on streets
- Issues of house flooding and sewer backups
- Downed power lines and power outages

Clear Storm Drains
The City asks residents to help clean the inlets and catch basins (grated storm drains) in front of your properties. Stand on the curb and use a rake or pitch fork to clear leaves, limbs, and debris from the storm drain/catch basin so that water can drain. Do not put your feet and hands into the storm drain because all kinds of debris collect there that could be dangerous, including sharp objects. For leaves that have collected on the street, please keep them out of the channel right along the curb, where they will block the path of rainwater. Rake them about 12 inches from the curb.

If you believe an emergency response is necessary, because you cannot clear your clogged catch basin, call Maintenance Operations at 503-823-1700 to report the clogged catch basin. City crews will be working until 10:00 p.m. tonight to respond to emergency calls.

Safety Advisories
- Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are advised to be extra careful. Do NOT go around barricades that close or restrict access to a street. Disobeying a barricade that has a street closure or other message sign on it is a Class B violation according to Oregon Vehicle Code and may result in a $360 fine. Not only does driving around a barricade pose a serious health and safety threat to you, your passengers, and your vehicle, but the wake from your vehicle can cause serious public and private property damage and flood houses and businesses.

- Motorists are advised not to drive through standing water. High standing water can cause a vehicle to stall or even float. Currents can be deceptive, and depth cannot be determined. Losing control of your car on wet pavement is a frightening experience. Unfortunately, it can happen unless you take preventative measures.

- Watch carefully for pedestrians and bicyclists, who may be in the street to avoid a flooded corner or who may be moving quickly to get out of the rain or catch a bus. Darkness limits everyone's visibility. Look out for each other.

- When you see City crews out working, please slow down. Remember that you are in a hazardous area with low visibility. Be considerate to workers and drive slowly.

Safe Driving Tips

- Adjust your speed according to conditions.

- Do not drive through standing water; turn around safely.

- Do not drive around barricades on flooded streets.
- Driving through high water creates wakes that can cause further damage to structures and adjacent properties.

- Treat a traffic signal outage or flashing signal as a four-way stop.

- You can prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Steer and brake with a light touch. When you need to stop or slow, do not brake hard or lock the wheels and risk a skid. Maintain mild pressure on the brake pedal.

- Hydroplaning happens when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than your car's weight can push it out of the way. The water pressure causes your car to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between your tires and the road. At this point, your car can be completely out of contact with the road, and you are in danger of skidding or drifting out of your lane, or even off the road.

- To avoid hydroplaning, keep your tires properly inflated, maintain good tread on your tires and replace them when necessary, slow down when roads are wet, and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you.

- If you find yourself hydroplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw your car into a skid. Ease your foot off the gas until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do it gently with light pumping actions. If your car has anti-lock brakes, then brake normally; the car's computer will mimic a pumping action, when necessary.

News Release from: Portland Bureau of Transportation