A Flood Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for late tonight through Wednesday afternoon for northwest Oregon rivers

12/3/12 RIVERS WITH THE GREATEST THREAT OF FLOODING INCLUDE SILETZ AND SIUSLAW ALONG THE COAST...AND THE MARYS...LUCKIAMUTE...AND CLACKAMAS IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY. THERE MAY ALSO BE MINOR FLOODING AT SOME LOCATIONS ON THE MAINSTEM WILLAMETTE... INCLUDING HARRISBURG AND CORVALLIS.

The target area includes:

* Cascade Foothills in Lane County

* Cascades in Lane County

* Central Coast Range of Western Oregon

* Central Oregon Coast

* Central Willamette Valley

* Coast Range of Northwest Oregon

* Greater Portland Metro Area

* North Oregon Coast

* Northern Oregon Cascade Foothills

* Northern Oregon Cascades

* South Willamette Valley

Forecasts

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

Care should be taken when traveling over the mountains during this time. The most dangerous places include:

* Canyon bottoms, stream channels, and areas of rock and soil accumulation

at the outlets of canyons;

* Bases of steep hillsides;

* Road cuts or other areas where slopes of hills have been excavated or over steepened;

* Places where slides or debris flows have occurred in the past.

Debris flows

Debris flows are rapidly moving landslides that can destroy everything in their paths. They can easily travel a mile or more, depending on the terrain. They will contain boulders and logs and transport those in a fast-moving soil and water slurry.

Some areas are more hazardous than others when the danger of landslides is high.

If there is a flood warning, stay away from the river. Stay away from steep

slopes during intense rainstorms. Knowing ahead of time where the danger areas around your home for potential landslides might be is the first step in being prepared.

Be alert

Follow these steps:

* Stay alert. Listen to the radio, TV, or a weather radio for flood watches, which include the potential for debris flows and if told to evacuate, do so immediately;

* Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees

* cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides;

* If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately;

* If water in a river or stream suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water

flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream;

* Assume highways are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Don't overdrive your headlights. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road;

* Landowners and road managers should check road drainage systems and

conduct needed maintenance in case the predicted heavy precipitation does occur.

Cleaning up after landslides can also be hazardous. "When it is wet outside, be careful when cleaning up the mess. A small mudslide can actually be part of a larger landslide. Cleanup should not be done until after the storm.

McKenzie River Reflections