Heavy rain clogs local streets

City crews try to unclog storm drains that backed up into traffic

Pamplin Media Group, Nov 7, 2009, Updated Nov 10, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Several Portland-area streets are closed or clogged with high water because of the heavy rain that swept through the region most of Saturday.

Almost an inch of rain fell in the region during about six hours Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

In Portland, the city’s Bureau of Transportation crews are working through the night trying to unclog storm drains and catch basins. The flooding has closed Southeast 92nd Avenue from Division to Powell, and Southwest Macadam Avenue at Carolina Street.

High water also is still a hazard at Southwest Arthur Street at Naito Parkway just before the Ross Island Bridge, Northeast Lloyd Boulevard under Interstate 5 near the Oregon Convention Center, Southeast Grand Avenue from Pine to Oak streets and Southeast Foster Road from 160th to 172nd avenues.

In Beaverton, a section of Northwest Science Park Drive near the Home Depot store was blocked off at around 3 p.m. because about four feet of water was covering the road.

During the early afternoon, heavy rain sent water cascading down streets and covering intersections in downtown Portland. In Hillsboro, several streets were closed because of the flooding.

In Gresham, several low sections of Southeast Division Street were flooded between 164th and 140th avenues.

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