Flash flood warning in place for Baker and Malheur counties Thursday evening due to thunderstorms

At 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Baker and Malheur counties, which would be in force until 8:15 p.m.

Doppler radar showed thunderstorms causing heavy rain over the Durkee Fire Burn Scar around 5:15 p.m. According to the weather service, flash flooding is either already occurring or is predicted to start soon. “Flooding of areas in and around the Durkee Fire Burn Scar.”

Huntington, Rye Valley, California Mountain, Durkee, Weatherby, Malheur City, Dixie, Malheur Reservoir, Bridgeport, and Lime are among the places affected by the warning.

According to the weather service, “This is a potentially fatal situation. Creeks, streams, and ditches in the Durkee will see widespread and severe flash flooding due to heavy rains. It is also possible to expect severe debris flows over highways. There may be areas where driveways and roads are washed away. Climb to safety if you come across floodwaters. Stay away from regions that have recently burnt. Roads, creeks, and typically dry washes could flood dangerously. In steep terrain, particularly in and around these areas, the heavy rains are likely to cause rockslides, mudslides, and debris flows.

Understanding the differences between advisories, watches, and warnings

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  Flash flood warning: Take action!
  

When a flash flood is approaching or already happening, a warning is sent. Get to high ground right away if you’re in a flood-prone location. A flash flood is a quick, intense flood that can form in a matter of minutes to hours. Even in places that don’t get rain right away, flash floods can happen.

• 
  Flood warning: Take action!
  

When flooding is expected or is happening, a flood warning is issued.

• 
  Flood advisory: Be aware:
  

When flooding is not predicted to become severe enough to warrant a warning, a flood advisory is issued. However, it still has the potential to be extremely inconvenient and, if careless, to result in circumstances that endanger life and/or property.

• 
  Flood watch: Be prepared:
  

When the weather is conducive to flooding, a flood watch is issued. Although it doesn’t ensure flooding will happen, it does indicate that it is a potential.

Weathering the storm: Flood safety guidelines from the weather service

Knowing and adhering to the weather service’s flood safety recommendations can be extremely helpful when camping in low-lying areas or in places that are prone to flooding:

Look for higher ground.

Moving to higher ground should be your first course of action if you’re camping in a low-lying location or in an area that is prone to flooding.

Observe evacuation directives:

Respond quickly to any evacuation orders issued by local authorities. Secure your home by locking it before you leave.

Cut off appliances and utilities:

Disconnect your appliances and utilities if you have the time. By doing this, the possibility of electrical risks during floods is decreased.

Steer clear of waterlogged regions and basements:

Avoid basements or rooms with electrical outlets or cords submerged in water. This lessens the chance of electrical mishaps.

Quickly leave for your safety:

Evacuate right away if you see sparks or hear popping, crackling, snapping, or buzzing noises. Avoid going into water that might be electrically charged.

Avoid going on foot in floodwaters:

Even if floodwaters seem shallow, you should never try to go over them. You can be swept off your feet with power by just 6 inches of swift-moving water.

When stuck, look for higher ground:

If you find yourself caught by flowing water, get to the highest position you can and call 911 to get help.

Flooding may occur during periods of intense precipitation, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone locations. Even if the water doesn’t seem deep, you should never drive across it. The weather service claims that most cars can be washed away with just 12 inches of surging water. Put your safety first by being aware and ready.

Mastering wet roads: Safety tips for heavy rainfall

Safety comes first when there is a lot of rain. To avoid dangers and navigate wet roads, arm yourself with these weather service guidelines:

Watch out for flooding rivers:

Avoid parking or strolling close to drainage ditches or culverts during periods of intense rain, since the swift-moving water can be quite dangerous.

Keep your distances from other vehicles safe:

Keep a safe distance from the automobile ahead of you by following the two-second rule, and give yourself an extra two seconds if it’s raining a lot.

Slow down and drive carefully:

Reduce your speed if it’s raining and the roads are wet. Reduce your speed gently by taking your foot off the accelerator. Never apply the brakes abruptly since this could cause the vehicle to slide.

Pick your lane carefully:

Water tends to pool in the outside lanes, so stick to the central ones.

Put visibility first:

Turn on your headlights to improve visibility in severe rain. Rain-stained windows can hide cars in blind situations, so be cautious.

Be cautious on slick roads:

During the first half hour after the rain starts, exercise additional caution. The road becomes slick when water combines with dirt and oil on the surface.

Stay a safe distance away from big cars:

Tire spray from big vehicles and buses can make it harder to see. Pass them quickly and safely, and refrain from tailgating.

Be mindful of your wipers:

• 
  Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or protected spots.
  
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  If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
  

Taking these safety measures will significantly improve your road safety while it’s raining a lot. For a safe trip, keep yourself updated on weather conditions and follow local authorities’ instructions.

United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.

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