A Flood Watch remains in effect from late Wednesday night through late Friday night for much of western Oregon, including Marion and Polk counties including the Lukiamute River near Suver, as a strong atmospheric river moves across the region.
Forecasters say Thursday is the day of greatest concern, with the most intense impacts expected as the atmospheric river arrives in the morning and persists through the day. Heavy rainfall could lead to flooding of rivers, creeks, urban areas, and other low-lying locations. Saturated soils increase the risk of landslides and debris flows, particularly near steep slopes and canyon areas.
Meteorologists note the storm system has continued to shift slightly north and south due to a low-pressure system in the northeast Pacific. Even small changes in the storm’s track—by as little as 50 miles—could significantly affect which areas receive the heaviest rainfall. The system is also bringing warmer air, reducing the likelihood of snow compared to earlier forecasts…