Sandbags go out, run out as flood threat lessens
Hundreds of Central Oregonians showed up at sandbag filling stations around Deschutes County on Tuesday — so many that the city and county ran out of bags. But thankfully, the forecast potential of flooding has lowered as well.
However, there’s still plenty of snow on roofs, and the threat of roof collapses or other problems is still high.
Underscoring the risks across the region: Bend City Hall was evacuated around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday as a safety precaution when an ice dam fell off the roof, near a natural gas meter.
The building was cleared to reopen around 3:50 p.m., but stayed closed for the rest of the day as fire crew cleared off any remaining ice, spokeswoman Anne Aurand said.
Here’s the joint government agencies’ 1 p.m. Tuesday update:
We want to thank the citizens of Deschutes County for your willingness to take proactive measures to protect our community. We had a tremendous response to the availability of sand and bags today.
Within the City of Bend alone, we were able to distribute 13,000 bags and 193 tons (386,400 pounds) of sand. The City of Bend sandbag sites as well as the Deschutes County site on SE 27th Street are now out of bags.
Thank you to our community for taking this proactive approach. We saw firsthand how our communities came together to help one another during this storm. We saw community members helping each other fill, carry and load these sandbags. Volunteers and staff from our governmental agencies pitched in to make this a successful effort.
Community members that did not obtain a sandbag can still take a proactive measure to protect their homes and neighborhoods. Most households won’t need sandbags to protect your home from potential flooding.
Alternatives include straw bales and plastic sheeting, or garbage bags filled with dirt. Plastic sheeting and garbage bags can be secured to openings around doorways to keep water from getting in, and tires and plastic sheeting can be used to make a dam.
To protect your residence, you can also:
Clear your roof of snow
Pull snow away from your home to minimize contact with your siding and foundation vents
Clear your storm drain and catch basins
Clear the area around the fire hydrants
(Here’s a link where you can find a storm drain and fire hydrant map:
https://maps.ci.bend.or.us/html5viewer/?viewer=hydrantviewer
Instructions to use this are on the home page that opens automatically. You can enter your address in the search to find what’s in your neighborhood.)
Here is a link to find storm drains in Redmond:
The weather report has been ever-changing and now it’s looking better in terms of potential flooding. Recent updates have reduced the amount expected rainfall and temperatures are not expected to rise significantly higher. The amount of runoff is not expected to be as severe as originally reported.
Remember, 911 is for emergencies only. If you need non-emergency police or fire assistance, the number is 541-693-6911. We encourage our community to call 211 information if you have questions or need information related to this storm.
Thank you for your vigilance during the past two weeks. Please use this event as an opportunity to determine how you can better prepare your property for future weather events. Your Deschutes County, City of Bend, City of Sister, City of Redmond, City of La Pine and Deschutes 911 governments are preparing to respond to future events and minimize the impacts.
—
Earlier story:
Although the forecast for expected rainfall has decreased in recent days, the risk for flooding in Central Oregon still exists, prompting officials to establish a network of sandbag filing stations around Deschutes County.
People living in the NorthWest Crossing neighborhood were clearing snow off their roofs and rain gutters.
Adam Hollman was putting out sandbags around his garage Monday afternoon.
“Our garage is at a lower lever than the rest of our alley and neighbors, so I’ve done some preparations with some sandbags,” he said. “Put them down in front of the garage in a couple of layers, just to prevent water from getting inside the garage.” .
Other neighbors were trying to get the snow off their roof because of water leaking inside their home.
Here’s the full update issued by area government agencies at midday Monday:
Initial reports from the National Weather Service at the end of last week predicted warming temperatures and substantial rainfall between Tuesday and Thursday of this week. Recent updates have reduced the amount expected rainfall and temperatures have moderated. The risk for urban flooding still exists, but the amount of runoff is not expected to be as severe as originally reported.
Another factor in the expected reduction in runoff is the low moisture content in the snow. As we are all aware, the snow we have received has fallen under very cold temperatures. This dynamic should allow more moisture to be absorbed into the snow.
Residents should survey their property to make sure runoff can drain away from their homes and clear catch basins and storm drains. It is likely that most residents will not need sandbags.
With this said, we are still offering sandbags to homeowners and residents that are truly in need of them.
The sites below are “you-fill” sites. We encourage residents to come in pairs, one to hold and one to shovel, and bring a shovel. If residents would like to help fill additional sandbags for others who may be physically unable to fill their own, it would be greatly appreciated.
Find the location nearest to you:
Deschutes County (in partnership with Cities of La Pine and Sisters and Sunriver)
Starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday Jan. 17, residents of Deschutes County can find sandbag locations in the following areas:
Sisters City Hall
520 East Cascade Avenue
Sunriver Public Works
Deschutes County Road Department
61550 SE 27th Street Bend, OR
Deschutes County South Services Building in La Pine
51340 US-97, La Pine, OR 97739
Bend residents can find sand bag materials at these locations, starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday Jan. 17.
* Pacific Crest Middle School (3030 NW Elwood Ln, Bend, )
* Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office upper parking lot (Jamison Road, just south of the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters)
* Bend Streets and Operations Headquarters (575 NE 15th Street, off of Highway 20, behind the Bend Police Department)
* South Bend Fire Station (61080 Country Club Dr, Bend)
To ensure that supplies last and are equitably distributed, volunteers will be on site to offer best tips for effective use of sandbags and encourage each household to take no more than 10 bags.
Redmond
Starting 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 17 .
Umatilla Sports Complex – 3000 SW Umatilla Ave www.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&q=3000+SW+Umatilla+Avenue%2c+Redmond%2c+OR+97756
Spud Bowl – 164 SW 15th St www.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&q=164+SW+15th+Street%2c+Redmond%2c+OR+97756
Quince Park – 1101 NW Quince Ave www.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&q=1101+NW+Quince+Avenue%2c+Redmond%2c+OR+97756
Tips for using sandbags effectively:
Properly filled and placed sandbags can divert water around instead of into buildings.
Place sandbags around garage doors, front doors, and foundation vents — building walls and dikes out of sandbags is not as effective and not an efficient use of limited sandbags.
