Be Alert for Landslides Across Northeast Oregon
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, June 8th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION AND WALLOWA COUNTIES – (Release from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries) The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for portions of northeast Oregon, including parts of Union and Wallowa Counties. The watch is in effect from Thursday morning (6/8/23) through Friday morning (6/9/23).
Heavy rain may result in landslides in areas of steep terrain, as well as debris flows in and near burn scars from recent wildfires including the Double Creek, Nebo, and Sturgill fires.
Find the latest information here: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/or.php?x=1
Debris flows are rapidly moving, extremely destructive landslides. They can contain boulders and logs transported in a fast-moving soil and water slurry down steep hillsides and through narrow canyons. They can easily travel a mile or more. A debris flow moves faster than a person can run. People, structures, and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk.
If your home, work, or route is in a watch area:
– Stay alert. Track the flood watch by radio, TV, weather radio or online. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
– Listen. Unusual sounds might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately.
– Watch the water. If water in a stream or creek suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream.
– Travel with extreme caution. Assume roads are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road.
For more landslide and debris flow information: https://www.oregongeology.org/Landslide/debrisflow.htm
