Rain makes Oregon rivers 'just plain scary'
EUGENE, Ore. - Lane County Officials are warning residents to stay out of rivers because of dangerously high water levels.
"There's a lot of horsepower out there," said John Miller, Lane County's Search and Rescue Coordinator, as he surveyed the rapid current of the McKenzie River. "It is just humbling to me, cause that's just plain scary."
Steady rainfall has filled Oregon rivers and waterways, pushing water over banks and creating dangerous currents. Hazardous debris like logs is also hidden beneath the water's surface.
Miller is very concerned people will hit the water once the weather warms up. When the rain disappears, river levels will remain high.
"I'm no expert at it, but it's probably going to take two weeks, maybe three weeks to get to normal levels again," said Miller. "We're recommending they are very cautious and conservative about being in the water ways."
An Oregon teen died this week after jumping into a creek in the Milwaukie area. Witnesses said Shane Estorja, 15, could not stay above the fast, frigid water.
The rain has swollen rivers with dangerous fast water, toppled trees, damaged crops and put hillsides in danger of sliding.
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