High Wind Warning and Flood Watch Issued

South Bend, Washington – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland has issued a high wind warning which is in effect from 10:00 p.m. this evening to 10:00 p.m. Tuesday for the South Washington and North and Central Oregon Coasts.

South winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph are expected beginning late this evening and continuing through most of Tuesday. South winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 75 or 80 mph are expected near beaches and headlands. Winds are expected to begin decreasing late Tuesday afternoon on the South Washington Coast and during Tuesday evening for the North and Central Oregon Coasts.

A flood watch is in effect from Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon for portions of Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon. Three to six inches of rain is expected in the Willapa Hills and North Oregon Coast range potentially driving creeks and small rivers to flood Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. Significant rises are expected on larger coastal rivers but they are starting off low. 

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions:

A high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.

A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Landslides and debris flows are possible during this flood event. People, structures and roads located below steep slopes, in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk from rapidly moving landslides.

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to standard operating procedures. 

For the most up to date weather information from the NWS please visit http://www.weather.gov/portland. This page brings up all advisories, watches, and warnings for the southwest Washington area.