Western Oregon & SW Washington brace for atmospheric river: Flooding, landslides, power outages expected
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Dec 19, 2025, 23:11 IST
Severe weather warnings are in place for Western Oregon and Southwest Washington as an atmospheric river unleashes heavy rainfall. Rivers are rapidly rising and strong winds are contributing to the chaos. Residents should brace for potential flooding and power outages. Travel conditions are hazardous, especially in low-lying areas and along waterfronts, which are under threat of overflow.
An atmospheric river is bringing 2-4 inches of rain to Western Oregon and Southwest Washington through Friday, December 19, 2025, increasing the risks of flooding, landslides, and power outages. Rivers are swelling and winds are gusting strongly. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flood watches and warnings. Portland-area officials are advising residents to prepare sandbags and emergency kits due to saturated soils from previous storms. Power providers like PGE are reporting thousands of customers affected, some since Tuesday, with fallen trees posing a threat to power lines. Travel is impacted by standing water and poor visibility.
Portland residents are preparing for urban flooding and rising river levels through Saturday. The Willamette and Columbia rivers are at high risk from the heavy rainfall. The NWS is warning of inundation in low-lying areas. This warning echoes alerts from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) regarding landslides, following a recent closure of Highway 229 in Lincoln County.
Lane County is under NWS flood warnings for the Mohawk River near Springfield and the Siuslaw River near Mapleton. Heavy rain is causing these rivers to rise by Friday afternoon. The flood warning for Lane County, issued just before 6 p.m. Thursday, remains in effect until 11:45 p.m. It states that flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and low-lying areas is occurring. Rainfall totals have already reached between 1 and 4 inches, with an additional 1 to 4 inches expected.
In Southeast Washington, the Tri-Cities area is anticipating flooding from upstream rains. KGW has noted likely overflows in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington basins through the weekend. Winds toppling trees are exacerbating power outages, building on gusts experienced Tuesday. Residents are preparing based on NWS advisories for standing water and potential evacuations if ordered.
The National Weather Service has also released a coastal flood warning for Southwest Suffolk, valid for Friday between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.
"Widespread minor to moderate flooding of vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline. Expect 1 1/2 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying, vulnerable areas. This will result in numerous road closures and cause widespread flooding of low-lying property including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront. Vehicles parked in vulnerable areas near the waterfront will likely become flooded. Flooding will also extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays," explains the weather service.
"Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth."
According to KGW8, the following rivers are likely to be affected by heavy rainfall and may experience flooding: Clackamas River, Hood River, Johnson Creek, Klickitat River, Luckiamute River, Molalla River, Nehalem River, Pudding River, Sandy River, Siletz River, South Yamhill River, Willamette River, and Wilson River. The NWS has issued a Flood Warning along the Clackamas River near Paradise Park. Hood River County has declared a local state of emergency and a flood warning for any low-lying areas. NOAA forecasts that Johnson Creek could see major flooding starting Thursday night and into Friday morning. NOAA also forecasts that the Molalla River could see minor flooding near Canby early Friday morning. A flood warning is in effect for the Siletz River into Friday morning. NOAA forecasts that the Sandy River could see minor flooding early Friday morning.
Portland residents are preparing for urban flooding and rising river levels through Saturday. The Willamette and Columbia rivers are at high risk from the heavy rainfall. The NWS is warning of inundation in low-lying areas. This warning echoes alerts from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) regarding landslides, following a recent closure of Highway 229 in Lincoln County.
Lane County is under NWS flood warnings for the Mohawk River near Springfield and the Siuslaw River near Mapleton. Heavy rain is causing these rivers to rise by Friday afternoon. The flood warning for Lane County, issued just before 6 p.m. Thursday, remains in effect until 11:45 p.m. It states that flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and low-lying areas is occurring. Rainfall totals have already reached between 1 and 4 inches, with an additional 1 to 4 inches expected.
In Southeast Washington, the Tri-Cities area is anticipating flooding from upstream rains. KGW has noted likely overflows in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington basins through the weekend. Winds toppling trees are exacerbating power outages, building on gusts experienced Tuesday. Residents are preparing based on NWS advisories for standing water and potential evacuations if ordered.
The National Weather Service has also released a coastal flood warning for Southwest Suffolk, valid for Friday between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.
"Widespread minor to moderate flooding of vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline. Expect 1 1/2 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying, vulnerable areas. This will result in numerous road closures and cause widespread flooding of low-lying property including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront. Vehicles parked in vulnerable areas near the waterfront will likely become flooded. Flooding will also extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays," explains the weather service.
"Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth."
According to KGW8, the following rivers are likely to be affected by heavy rainfall and may experience flooding: Clackamas River, Hood River, Johnson Creek, Klickitat River, Luckiamute River, Molalla River, Nehalem River, Pudding River, Sandy River, Siletz River, South Yamhill River, Willamette River, and Wilson River. The NWS has issued a Flood Warning along the Clackamas River near Paradise Park. Hood River County has declared a local state of emergency and a flood warning for any low-lying areas. NOAA forecasts that Johnson Creek could see major flooding starting Thursday night and into Friday morning. NOAA also forecasts that the Molalla River could see minor flooding near Canby early Friday morning. A flood warning is in effect for the Siletz River into Friday morning. NOAA forecasts that the Sandy River could see minor flooding early Friday morning.