Portland Weather Forecast: Heavy Rain Leads to Flood Watch, Landslide Warning

You don't need me to tell you that it's raining. You don't need to hear it from the National Weather Service's Portland Office either. You live in Oregon and know what's what: It's February and this is how it is. What you need to know, the weather service says, it there there is so much rain and snow melt around, that a lot of water is going to make its way to several rivers and creeks, and there is a good chance of flooding in the area.

The forecasters say that there is a flood watch in effect.

That's why the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries issued a landslide warning on Wednesday.

"As we've seen in the past few days, heavy rain can trigger landslides," says Ali Ryan Hansen, communications director for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI). "As the rain continues, so does the potential for landslides."

DOGAMI points people to a government website to track watches, warnings and advisories for Oregon.

That's why the flood watch is in effect through Friday night.

Johnson Creek could reach flood stage by Thursday morning.

Parts of the Portland metro area could see as much as 2.5 inches of rain with more (up to three inches) along the coast and even more along the coastal ranges.

"Be aware that flood hazards are accompanied by landslide hazards," says Bill Burns, DOGAMI engineering geologist. "Be extremely cautious, and avoid areas where landslides are more likely to occur."

DOGAMI's interactive SLIDO map helps identify areas that are susceptible to landslides, Burns says.

All the potential flooding also has the National Weather Service's Portland office looking for help.

"Once again, we have a threat of flooding later this week, and snowmelt could be a factor," they write. "We don't have many reports of snow-water content between elevations of 500 and 2000 feet. If you can take a measurement and post it in the comments, that would be much appreciated."

They include a link with directions on how to take a measurement.

Want to get more Portland news? Sign up for our free newsletter:

• Score Free Books and Brews at Deschutes Brewery and Powell's: Sign Up for Our Free Newsletter

Just be happy that you're not in the Gorge, where it will be colder. While Portland and the metro region will see rain, the Gorge is expected to get ice - up to 1.5 inches. And when you head toward the Dalles - snow. As much as eight inches.

DOGAMI also says:

People, structures and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk. Dangerous places can include:

- Canyon bottoms, stream channels, and areas of rock and soil accumulation at the outlets of canyons.

- Bases of steep hillsides.

- Road cuts or other areas where slopes of hills have been excavated or over-steepened.

- Places where slides or debris flows have occurred in the past.

For more landslide and debris flow information: http://bit.ly/landslidehazards

The good news is that the weekend is looking dry. Enjoy it while you can.

Graphic via National Weather Service-Portland