Salem-News.com Weather articles Page 36

Carbon Monoxide is a Quiet Killer

Health officials warn of carbon monoxide danger from gas generators and alternative heating fuels.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Public health officials in the Oregon Department of Human Services warn that using alternative fuel sources for heating or electricity during power outages can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide which can poison people and animals.

It is not safe to burn such fuels as kerosene, propane, diesel or charcoal inside a house or any enclosed area. If you use a gas generator for back-up electricity, locate it away from the house and other enclosed spaces to avoid toxic fumes entering the home.

Barbecues, hibachi stoves, lanterns and camp stoves can produce colorless, odorless and lethal carbon monoxide gas.
People who breathe too much of the gas can be poisoned.

Oregon Officials Discuss Safety During Floods (VIDEO)

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

(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 the property. At times, Bailey says, the best thing to do is evacuate.

Evacuation Order Lifted for Many Homes Near Marylhurst Area Landslide in Lake Oswego (PHOTO UPDATE)

At this time, the Fire Marshal's evacuation order has been lifted for all properties except two.

(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.) - City of Lake Oswego Fire personnel responded to a large landslide just after 1:00 AM this morning, which originated from slopes above Green Bluff Drive in the Marylhurst area.

Portland Street Closures Due to Flood Waters

According to BES, the heavy rains that caused flooding along portions of Johnson Creek have also elevated bacteria levels in Portland rivers and streams.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The flooding of commercial and residential areas along Johnson Creek has resulted in several street closures and other hazards.

SE Foster Road is CLOSED from SE 101st to 122nd Avenues. As an alternative route, motorists are advised to use Holgate, not Harold.

SE Harold is CLOSED from SE 111th to 122nd Avenues. Due to flood waters, a sandbag pile located at SE 111th and Harold has been moved to 121st and Harold.

Columbia County Prepares Declaration of Emergency Over Severe Weather (VIDEO)

Snow levels will range from 500 to 1000 feet through Friday night.

(VERNONIA, Ore.) - Today, Columbia County and the City of Vernonia prepared declarations of emergency contingent upon resource depletion, due to the severe winter storm involving heavy snow, ice and heavy rainfall, which has resulted in the imminent possibility of flooding and severely taxing county resources.

Mud Slide Continues Blocking All Lanes on Highway 26 East of Sandy (PHOTOS)

Motorists traveling between the Portland area to central Oregon may also consider using Interstate 84 to Highway 197 or Highway 97.

(SANDY, Ore.) - Oregon highway crews were on scene Friday morning assessing the large slide blocking all lanes of Highway 26 about eight miles east of Sandy near milepost 34.

They say the mud slide and debris is now estimated to be up to 2 feet deep and over 200 yards in width. Approximately 300 feet of guardrail was damaged on the east end as mud, trees and debris flowed across from the south side of the highway.

Thursday at approximately 10:24 PM, reports were received of the mud slide that came from the south side of Highway 26 between milepost 34 and 35.

Heavy Rains Lead to Sewer Overflow in Willamette River

Signs will be posted warning people to avoid contact with the water in the Willamette River due to potentially high levels of bacteria.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Recent rainfall combined with saturated ground conditions have resulted in the City of Salem overflowing diluted raw sewage into the Willamette River.

The Union Street diversion structure activated at approximately 8:31 PM.

David A. Prock with Salem's Wastewater Collection Services, says that when the ground becomes saturated, groundwater enters the sanitary sewer from cracks and holes in the pipes in addition to footing drains and other sources of extraneous water from private property.

Potential Danger of Debris Flows in Western Oregon (LOCAL UPDATES)

Advice from the National Weather Service about how to stay alive during floods and land or "debris" slides.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The National Weather Service in Portland has Highlighted the potential debris flows and landslides as part of the Flood Watch for large portions of Oregon.

PGE Employees Brave Storm to Help Hatchery Save Salmon

The salmon at the hatchery are due to be released into the Clackamas and Sandy rivers in March.

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Several employees of Portland General Electric along with members of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff braved severe winter conditions last week to avert the loss of up to 900,000 spring chinook salmon destined for release into the Clackamas and Sandy rivers.

The salmon fingerlings being reared at ODFW’s Clackamas fish hatchery were imperiled by a sequence of events that began with a power failure following a major snowstorm at the hatchery on December 22nd.

The situation became progressively more precarious when a large diesel back-up generator started to malfunction two days later, on Christmas Eve, prompting employees from both organizations to give up time with their families to protect the fish.

Weather Closes Oregon River and Bar Crossings

Coastal and inland waterways are dangerous, but the roads to the Oregon coast are clear.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Rivers in western Oregon are swelling with runoff from recent snow and coastal conditions have become hazardous in some areas.