Franklin Avenue underpass reopens after high water
(Update: Franklin Avenue underpass reopens)
Heavy rainfall pelted much of Central Oregon Friday morning, sending water rising in downtown Bend and closing the Franklin Avenue underpass for a few hours.
The National Weather Service in Pendleton issued a flash flood watch for most of Central Oregon from noon through Friday evening, warning that slow-moving thunderstorms would produce heavy rain and could cause small creeks and streams to rise or top their banks.
The NWS also issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for the Bend area of central Deschutes County until 2:45 p.m., noting that the Franklin Avenue underpass, a familiar high-water spot, had closed due to flooding and also reported minor flooding in downtown Bend.
City officials said the underpass into downtown was closed before 11:30 a.m. and reopened about two hours later.
Police reported around midday that high water was blocking Colorado Avenue at Sisemore Street and water reportedly had entered the nearby Market of Choice, according to initial scanner reports.
The heavy rain and some flooding come after several days of afternoon thunderstorms that brought lightning, hail and heavy rain to locations around the High Desert.
A Forest Service employee reported two washouts late Thursday on Forest Road 1395, about 11 miles north-northeast of Redmond in Jefferson County, according to the NWS.
NewsChannel 21 Chief Meteorologist Bob Shaw said the abundant amount of moisture moving in from the south and southeast would bring rain, heavy at times, and scattered thunderstorms throughout the day. He said the chance of showers will taper off through Saturday morning, with improving weather for the holiday weekend.
