It was a dark and stormy night. And Halloween afternoon.
A predicted storm brought heavy rain and moderate wind to Clark County on Saturday, ending a beautiful two-month autumn and making a small dent in a yearlong drought.
More than 1.2 inch of rain was recorded at the National Weather Service’s Pearson Field station between noon and 6 p.m., and more moisture was steadily adding to the total as night fell and parents of vampires and witches looked for umbrellas.
The rain peaked between 2 and 4 p.m., prompting the National Weather Service to issue an urban flood advisory that was renewed as a new set of thunderstorm cells moved in.
Huge puddles formed everywhere there was asphalt and a little depression, particularly where downed leaves were washed into storm drains.
Nearly 70 reports of hazards were called in to the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency during the afternoon and early evening.
There were reports of water as much as 6 inches deep and above the curbs in east Vancouver, a “river” along Northeast 117th Avenue north of Orchards, and a small pond on Interstate 5 at the northbound Main Street on-ramp.
Vancouver Public Works reported temporarily closing several streets, including Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard between about Southeast 184th and 192nd avenues, and Southeast Village Loop Drive between Southeast McGillivray Boulevard and Fernwood Drive.
In addition, standing water caused problems on Northeast 121st Avenue, between Fourth Plain Boulevard and Northeast 49th Street; and on Northeast 164th/162nd Avenue, north of Southeast First Street.
Some motorists handled the suddenly tough driving conditions with aplomb, but there were spin-outs and minor collisions galore.
Nearly 40 traffic accidents were reported in Clark County between noon and 7 p.m.
A Vancouver woman, Jessica B. Guerrero Sanchez, was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment of injuries after a spin-out accident on Interstate 5 northbound near Northeast 78th Street.
The Washington State Patrol said the 19-year-old woman lost control of her blue 1999 BMW, spun across the middle and left lane, ran onto the inside shoulder, and struck a concrete barrier. The accident occurred at 3:29 p.m. in pouring rain. She will be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions, according to the state patrol.
Police also handled five calls of reckless driving during the afternoon hours.
Clark Public Utilities’ website showed at least two power outages in rural areas, both small.
Portland appeared to be even harder hit, with photos of cars stuck under flooded underpasses. Street car service had to be halted after a report that a car was flooded.
TriMet’s light rail service was disrupted downtown. Buses were substituted.
Raw sewage overflowed from Portland’s sewers into the Willamette River, prompting an advisory for the public to avoid contact with the water until it flushes.
Another half-inch of rain may fall during the day Sunday, followed by a showery evening, according to the National Weather Service. It will be windier than Saturday, 14 to 16 mph with gusts has high as 25 mph. It will also be cooler, with the high temperature not expected to reach 60 degrees.
