“Minor areas of flooding is possible but widespread flooding is not expected” in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service out of Pendleton.
The weather service gave a briefing on the latest flooding forecast to the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, its Emergency Management Division and community partners.
According to the weather service, periods of rain are expected with a slight chance of thunderstorms today and Saturday. Unseasonable cold temperatures will return starting Saturday night and continue through midweek. Scattered showers with mountain snow showers are expected just about each day.
Already high streams and rivers will see higher flows through early Sunday, then slowly receding flows next week. A few locations will see the highest flows of the season. The fast high flows will cause bank erosion and may see minor areas of flooding. Widespread flooding is not expected.
Releases from McKay Reservoir will continue as needed based on rain amounts over the next several days. This has slightly increased flows on the Umatilla River below Pendleton.
Updated river conditions and forecasts can be found online.
