The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a flood watch that includes the greater Vancouver area due to periods of heavy rain.
Areas at risk of flooding include portions of Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington — the Portland metro area, the South Washington Coast, the Interstate 5 corridor in Cowlitz County and the South Washington Cascade foothills, as well as Vancouver.
The flood watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. Friday, the weather service said.
“Periods of heavy rain (Thursday) afternoon through Friday afternoon will result in sharp rises on many rivers and creeks” in the affected area, forecasters said.
Rainfall for coastal areas could reach up to 8 inches while the inland valleys will likely see 1 to 3 inches. And melting snow and ice at low- and mid-elevations will also add to the wet conditions, the weather service said.
Rivers currently forecast to reach or approach flood stage include Johnson Creek in the Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, the Clackamas River in Clackamas County, the Grays River in Wahkiakum County, and the Nehalem River in Tillamook County.
NWS Hydrologist Andy Bryant said the heaviest rain for the Vancouver area may happen from midday to late afternoon.
Clark County doesn’t have many widespread flood-prone areas, Bryant said, and creeks here don’t pose as much a risk of flooding.
“The main issue (for Vancouver and Clark County) will be flooding and pooling of water on roads,” Bryant said.
Officials ask residents to keep a watchful eye tonight for the chance of the flood watch elevating to a flood warning. People living in areas prone to flooding are being asked to take precautions if problems begin to develop.
“Landslides and debris flows are possible during this flood event,” particularly for people, structures and roads below steep slopes, in canyons or near the mouths of canyons, forecasters said.
Drier weather is forecasted for the same area as the weekend begins, however. The weather service predicts a slight chance of rain for Vancouver on Saturday, with mild temperatures in the mid-40s. Sunday should be mostly sunny skies.
