Rain, winds close Oregon highways
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A major highway was closed Wednesday in Oregon as a winter storm sent heavy rain and high winds into the Northwest. | LATEST
U.S. 26 was closed along a 22-mile stretch in Central Oregon after high winds toppled trees.
There were no reports of injuries, but some truckers and passenger vehicles were stranded without a detour while crews worked to clear the road.
Oregon Highway 35 was closed for a time to truck traffic from Government Camp to Parkdale because high winds and blowing debris created hazardous driving conditions. Oregon 216 between Maupin and Warm Springs was similarly closed.
The National Weather Service posted flood warnings for the Wilson River, lower Nehalem River and Trask River in Tillamook County, meaning flooding is imminent or in progress, and a flood watch for all of northwest Oregon.
Warnings were also up for several rivers in southwest Washington including Grays River, the Willapa and the Cowlitz.
A frontal system slipping into Oregon Wednesday afternoon could bring the Clackamas, upper Tualatan, Pudding and Luckiamute rivers plus Johnson Creek to flood stage, said forecaster Tyree Wilde.
Highways through Tillamook County on the north coast were reported clear Wednesday morning but officials are concerned about the Nehalem river near Nehalem, which is expected to crest at 14 feet above flood stage Wednesday.
(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.)
