PBOT urges motorists to heed all road closure signs and to not drive through standing water
Mt. Scott Community Center opens as reception center for Johnson Creek area residents
(Dec. 8, 2015) Heavy rain, combined with winds gusting to between 30-45 MPH, are expected this afternoon through Wednesday morning. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) asks the traveling public, residents and businesses to take steps to avoid hazards associated with these conditions. Potential hazards include flooded streets and properties, downed trees, tree limbs, and power lines, and landslides and rock slides.
Storm-related closures will cause delays for all transportation modes during rush hour on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Avoid unnecessary travel during those times. Expect delays. Consider telecommuting or delaying your trip.
Strong winds may bring fallen trees, tree limbs, and power lines onto streets. Residents are advised to notify PBOT of debris, mud, rocks, trees, or branches blocking a road by calling our 24/7 maintenance dispatch hotline at 503-823-1700. If you see a downed power line, call 911. Report power outages in the Portland area to PGE at 503-464-7777 or Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088. Do not try to free lines or to remove tree limbs from lines by yourself.
If a storm knocks out power to traffic signals, treat intersections like an all-way stop and proceed with caution. The driver who stops first has the right of way to go first.
City crews have stocked sand pile and sand bag locations for any Portland resident or business owner who wants to protect their property from flood damage in the Fanno Creek and Johnson Creek watersheds. Sand and sand bags are provided at no charge; you must bring your own shovel.
The following locations are stocked:
• SE 88th Ave just south of Holgate Blvd in the parking lot at Lents Park,
• SE 111th Ave and Harold St at the southeast corner of the intersection, and
• SW 42nd Ave and Vermont St in the lower parking lot of Gabriel Park.
A number of road closures are still in effect throughout the city. Please consult PBOT’s website for the latest weather-related road closures in Portland. City crews are prepared to close additional flooded streets and set up detour routes if necessary. Do not to drive through standing water; instead, turn around safely and find an alternate route. Slow down when streets are wet, use your lights for increased visibility, stay away from puddles and be on the lookout for people walking and biking making their way around standing water, especially in low-light conditions. People driving who ignore street closures and drive through barricades face fines of up to $1000.
For residents living in the Johnson Creek area who decided to evacuate to higher ground, the Mt. Scott Community Center (5530 SE 72nd Ave, Portland OR 97206) will open at 3 p.m. as a reception center to provide shelter to residents and their pets. The American Red Cross and Multnomah County Animal Services will be on hand as a resource. For additional information or assistance evacuating, call 211info by dialing 2-1-1 from any phone in the Portland area or see www.211info.org.
The City recommends Portlanders monitor conditions where they are traveling, watch the forecast, and use www.PublicAlerts.org as their source for emergency updates. The site provides links to street closures, highway road conditions, transit schedules and service alerts, and other emergency information.
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation