Long-waited C.O. rain brings big puddles, big smiles
Oregon is in the midst of a drought, with Deschutes County in extreme drought. That means there are likely crop losses, water shortages and water restrictions.
But on Tuesday, Central Oregon saw more rain than it’s seen in a while (nearly .30 of an inch at Redmond Airport by evening and other areas with similar amounts).
That meant trickier driving for Bend residents, with large pools of water filling the roadways.
The Franklin Avenue underpass is notorious for collecting runoff rain water, and Tuesday was no exception, with drivers plowing through deep puddles.
Some sidewalks and street corners were flooded with water.
Despite the rain, people were out and about and didn’t seem to have a problem with it.
Katie Mollman, the manager of The Lot on Bend’s Westside, said the rain shouldn’t stop anyone from getting out and about.
“I mean, it definitely makes business a little slower, but I always try to encourage people, like: We live in Central Oregon, we definitely experience all weather, so get out of your coziness and come down here and get cozy with us,” Mollman said.
Other people, like Ken Kruger, said they’re hopeful rain in town means snow up in the mountains.
“I think the rain is awesome. We need it desperately for snowpack, and rain in Bend means snow up in the mountain. I’m a skier, so I’m very enthusiastic and I don’t mind getting a little liquid sunshine,” Kruger said.
