Over the next 72 hours (29--31 Dec) we will see a steady stream of pacific moisture, supplemented by tropical air again, This moisture will be from Bellingham to San Francisco. The brunt of the moisture seems to be headed to locales South of Roseburg.

Cold surface air is still in place North of Salem Oregon so for the remainder of today (Saturday Dec 28) expect surface snow and/or freezing rain. Warm air from the south will gradually migrate northwards but freezing rain will probably be the order of the day for most of Western Washington on Sunday.

The potential for significant flooding along *ALL* Western Oregon rivers is extreme. As the warm air moves north, snow lines will retreat to higher elevations. AT the moment, the reservoirs still have capacity due to a dry spill from dec 15-dec 24. However, this capacity is expected to fill quickly.

It thus seems rather unavoidable that more flooding will occur. We will post the latest flood warnings directly on this page when they are issued. Important note: Since this series of storms is so widespread over the northwest the probability for flooding along the Columbia River is high.

Go Here for some Storm Reports from Around the Northwest

Why is it raining so much?

The situation as of noon, Wednesday, New Years DaY;

The flood warnings are too numerous to post - 36 of them have been issued in the last 6 hours. I will provide the latest detail below for Washington and Oregon. Here is the synopsis for other regions:

Nothern California: I am afraid this will make the 1986 floods look puny. Northern California is now receiving the brunt of the moisture with up to 5 inches over the next 24 hours expected. Record and disastrous flooding is forecast for the Truckee, Napa and Russian river systems. Expect this to be worse than the 1986 event. Expect also water to rise rapidly as the moisture continues to pour in.

Idaho/Montana: The warm tropical air has reached those locations. Boise set a record high yesterday. Significant rain combined with snow melt will cause many rivers to flood.

By now I hope everyone gets the picture. This is a very large scale event that will effect washington,oregon,northern california (they should be a separate state anyway), idaho, montana and Nevada. Major waterways like the Snake and the Columbia ultimately have to absorb all this runoff. I am not quite sure if you can really identify such a large scale event which has happened previously. This appears to be rather unprecedented.

Latest Flood Warnings for Washington and Oregon:

Quick Summary: While all western washington and oregon rivers and streams look like they will reach flood stage, it doesn't appear that many will crest at levels significantly above flood stage. However, the duration of flood stage looks to be at least 24 hours in most cases. So expect all rivers to be running at or slightly above flood stage through friday, This situation will get worse if more heavy rains come in but it looks like this activity is headed mostly south with northern california to really bear the brunt.

For those with Cable TV - watch the Weather Channel - they are provided exceptional coverage of the situation.

FLOOD STATEMENT                              BULLETIN NO. 15
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

FLOOD WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN WESTERN
WASHINGTON

     LEWIS               SKOOKUMCHUCK             WHITE
     COWLITZ             SATSOP                   CEDAR
     NASELLE             SKOKOMISH                SNOQUALMIE
     WILLAPA             DESCHUTES                SNOHOMISH
     CHEHALIS            ELWHA

AND IN EASTERN WASHINGTON FLOOD WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE
FOLLOWING RIVERS

     NACHES
     KLICKITAT
     WALLA WALLA

THE FLOODING ON MOST OF THESE RIVERS WILL BE MINOR. MORE SERIOUS
FLOODING HAS BEEN OCCURRING AND WILL CONTINUE ON THE CHEHALIS AND
SKOKOMISH RIVERS.

A FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OTHER RIVERS AND STREAMS ON
THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA...IN WESTERN WASHINGTON FROM SNOHOMISH COUNTY
SOUTHWARD...AND IN SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON.

IN ADDITION URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOODING WILL REMAIN A WIDESPREAD
PROBLEM IN WESTERN...SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTH EASTERN WASHINGTON
THROUGH TODAY.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL IN WESTERN WASHINGTON OVERNIGHT WILL CAUSE MOST
WESTERN WASHINGTON RIVERS TO RISE THIS MORNING.

RIVERS IN THE SOUTH PART OF EASTERN WASHINGTON WILL ALSO BE ON THE
RISE WITH MORE SERIOUS AND WIDESPREAD FLOODING PROBLEMS POSSIBLE BY
WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE YAKIMA RIVER COULD CAUSE FLOODING PROBLEMS IN
YAKIMA AND BENTON COUNTIES BY THURSDAY OR THURSDAY NIGHT.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE ACROSS FLOODED AREAS. THIS IS HOW MOST FLOOD
RELATED DEATHS IN WASHINGTON OCCUR.

KEEP IN MIND THAT CONDITIONS COULD CHANGE RAPIDLY. STAY TUNED TO NOAA
WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS SOURCES FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND
RIVER INFORMATION.
$$

WAC009-012000-
ELWHA RIVER BASIN
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

ELWHA AT            19.8 FT   20.0 FT   REACHING FLOOD STAGE AROUND
 MCDONALD BRIDGE    630 AM              7 AM. CRESTING AROUND 20.5 FT
                                        10 AM.
WAC011-015-012000-
LEWIS RIVER BASIN
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

LEWIS AT            16.4 FT   21.0 FT   REACHING FLOOD STAGE
  WOODLAND          200 PM              TONIGHT THEN REMAINING
                                        NEAR FLOOD STAGE.

HIGH LEVELS ON THE LOWER REACHES OF THE LEWIS RIVER WILL BE CAUSED
PRIMARILY BY BACKWATER FROM HIGH FLOWS ON THE COLUMBIA.
$$

WAC015-041-012000-
COWLITZ RIVER BASIN
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE
 PACKWOOD          445 AM              NEAR 9.0 FT MIDDAY TODAY.

COWLITZ AT          15.3 FT   18.0 FT   CRESTING NEAR FLOOD STAGE
  RANDLE            445 AM              THIS EVENING.

COWLITZ AT          22.0 FT   23.0 FT   CRESTING NEAR FLOOD STAGE
  CASTLE ROCK       400 AM              THIS MORNING THEN SLOWLY
                                        FALLING.

COWLITZ AT          21.0 FT   20.0 FT   RISING TO NEAR 22.0 FT BY
  KELSO             530 AM              THIS EVENING.

THE COWLITZ RIVER WILL CAUSE MINOR FLOODING IN EASTERN LEWIS COUNTY
ABOVE RIFFE LAKE AND ALSO IN COWLITZ COUNTY. HIGH LEVELS ON THE LOWER
COWLITZ RIVER IN KELSO WILL BE DUE MAINLY TO HIGH FLOWS ON THE
COLUMBIA RIVER.

NASELLE NEAR        14.4 FT   16.0 FT   CRESTED NEAR 15.5 FT AROUND
  NASELLE           240 AM              MIDNIGHT.

WILLAPA NEAR        21.9 FT   21.0 FT   CRESTING NEAR 23.0 FT AROUND
  WILLAPA           200 AM              8 AM THIS MORNING. FALLING
                                        THIS AFTERNOON.

MINOR TO MODERATE FLOODING IS EXPECTED ALONG THE NASELLE AND WILLAPA
RIVERS TODAY.

SKOOKUMCHUCK AT     83.8 FT   85.0 FT   BEGINNING TO RISE AGAIN THIS
  CENTRALIA         500 AM              MORNING AND CRESTING NEAR

CHEHALIS AT         67.8 FT   65.0 FT   BEGINNING TO RISE AGAIN THIS
  CENTRALIA         500 AM              MORNING...CRESTING NEAR 69.0
                                        FT AROUND 10 PM TONIGHT.

CHEHALIS NEAR       16.4 FT   13.3 FT   BEGINNING TO RISE AGAIN THIS
  GRAND MOUND       400 AM              MORNING...CRESTING NEAR 17.0
                                        FT AROUND 2 AM THURSDAY
                                        MORNING.

THE CHEHALIS RIVER WILL CONTINUE CAUSING FLOODING PROBLEMS IN LEWIS
AND THURSTON COUNTIES THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND INTO THURSDAY. THIS
LEVEL ON THE CHEHALIS RIVER CORRESPONDS TO A PHASE 2 FLOOD IN THE
LEWIS COUNTY FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM.

THE CHEHALIS RIVER WILL ALSO CAUSE FLOODING DOWNSTREAM IN GRAYS
HARBOR COUNTY THROUGH FRIDAY.

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

SATSOP NEAR         34.2 FT   34.0 FT   CRESTING AT 5 AM. SLOWLY
  SATSOP            440 AM              FALLING THIS MORNING.
$$

WAC045-012000-
SKOKOMISH RIVER BASIN
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

SKOKOMISH NEAR      16.8 FT   15.5 FT   REMAINING NEARLY STEADY
  POTLATCH          545 AM              THIS MORNING...THEN FALLING
                                        SLOWLY.

FLOODING WILL CONTINUE IN THE SKOKOMISH VALLEY...MAINLY ALONG
SKOKOMISH VALLEY ROAD AND LOWER BOURGAULT ROAD.
$$

DESCHUTES RIVER BASIN
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

DESCHUTES NEAR      11.0 FT   15.5 FT   CRESTING NEAR 12.5 FT
  RAINIER           415 AM              THIS MORNING.

THIS WILL CAUSE MINOR FLOODING ALONG THE DESCHUTES RIVER.
$$

WAC033-053-012000-
WHITE RIVER BASIN
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

WHITE BELOW         6500 CFS  8000 CFS  SLOWLY RISING TO 8000 CFS
  MUD MOUNTAIN DAM  600 PM              THIS MORNING.
AND WEDNESDAY...CORRESPONDING ROUGHLY TO A PHASE 3 IN THE KING COUNTY
FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM.
$$

WAC033-012000-
CEDAR RIVER BASIN
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

CEDAR NEAR          3.0 FT    5.0 FT    CRESTING BELOW FLOOD STAGE
  LANDSBURG         500 AM              THIS MORNING.

CEDAR AT            12.4 FT   12.0 FT   CRESTING NEAR 12.7 FT
  RENTON            630 AM              THIS AFTERNOON.

THE CEDAR RIVER WILL CAUSE MINOR FLOODING FROM THE MAPLE VALLEY AREA
DOWNSTREAM TO THE MOUTH.
$$

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

SNOQUALMIE AT     15200 CFS  20000 CFS  CRESTING NEAR FLOOD STAGE
  THE FALLS         230 AM              AROUND NOON.

SNOQUALMIE NEAR     53.9 FT   54.0 FT   REACHING FLOOD STAGE
  CARNATION         500 AM              THIS MORNING AND CRESTING
                                        NEAR 56.0 FT AROUND MIDNIGHT
                                        TONIGHT.

SKYKOMISH NEAR      11.4 FT   15.0 FT   EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW
  GOLD BAR          500 AM              FLOOD STAGE...CRESTING NEAR
                                        12.0 FT AROUND NOON
                                        WEDNESDAY.

SNOHOMISH NEAR      11.9 FT   15.0 FT   CRESTING NEAR FLOOD STAGE
  MONROE            500 AM              LATE THIS EVENING.

SNOHOMISH AT        22.2 FT   25.0 FT   GOING ABOVE FLOOD STAGE
RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

KLICKITAT NEAR      9.7 FT    9.0 FT    CRESTING NEAR 12.0 FT
  PITT              200 AM              TONIGHT.

DUE TO DAMAGE ALONG THE KLICKITAT RIVER DURING THE SEVERE FLOODING
LAST FEBRUARY IT IS UNKNOWN HOW SERIOUS THIS ROUND OF FLOODING WILL
BE.
$$

WAC077-012000-
NACHES RIVER BASIN
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
NACHES NEAR         13.9 FT   17.0 FT   RISING TO NEAR FLOOD STAGE
  NACHES            500 AM              THIS AFTERNOON.

THIS WILL CAUSE MINOR FLOODING ALONG THE NACHES RIVER.
$$

WAC071-012000-
WALLA WALLA RIVER BASIN
630 AM PST WED JAN 1 1997

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

WALLA WALLA NEAR    14.1 FT   13.0 FT   CRESTING NEAR 14.5 FT AROUND
  TOUCHET           500 AM              NOON WEDNESDAY.
$$
FELTON

OREGON RIVERS:

FLOOD WARNING/STATEMENT...WILLAMETTE BASIN...CORRECTION  BULLETIN #58
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
535 AM PST WED JAN  1 1997

...THE FOLLOWING FORECAST RIVER STAGES FOR THE MAINSTEM WILLAMETTE
AND ITS TRIBUTARIES INCLUDES ALL CURRENT AND EXPECTED RELEASES FROM
FLOOD CONTROL AND POWER GENERATION RESERVOIRS...

...MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ALONG THE LOWER TUALATIN RIVER...

     CURRENT RIVER LEVEL PROJECTIONS INDICATE THAT THE LOWER TUALATIN
     WILL CONTINUE A SLOW RISE THROUGH FRIDAY.  WHILE LEVELS APPEAR
     TO BE LOWER THAN THE FEBRUARY 96 FLOOD...SIGNIFICANT FLOODING IN
     TUALATIN AND LAKE OSWEGO IS POSSIBLE LATER THIS WEEK.

...FLOOD WARNING CANCELLED FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS...
     THE MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE AT JASPER...
     WILLAMETTE AT HARRISBURG

...FLOOD WARNINGS CONTINUE FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN THE WILLAMETTE
RIVER SYSTEM...

     MOHAWK RIVER IN LANE COUNTY
     MARYS RIVER IN BENTON COUNTY
     LUCKIAMUTE RIVER IN POLK COUNTY
     SANTIAM RIVER IN MARION AND LINN COUNTIES
     SOUTH YAMHILL RIVER IN YAMHILL COUNTY
     PUDDING RIVER IN MARION AND CLACKAMAS COUNTIES
     TUALATIN RIVER IN WASHINGTON AND CLACKAMAS COUNTIES
     CLACKAMAS RIVER IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY
     JOHNSON CREEK IN MULTNOMAH COUNTY
     WILLAMETTE RIVER IN...
          LINN...BENTON...POLK...MARION...YAMHILL...AND CLACKAMAS
          COUNTIES

...A FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL OTHER NORTHWEST OREGON RIVERS...

RIVER FORECASTS ARE LISTED BELOW:

COASTAL FORK OF THE      13        12.5      RISE TO AT OR NEAR
WILLAMETTE NEAR      (UNOFFICIAL)            13 FEET TODAY THEN
GOSHEN                                       FALL THURSDAY.

MOHAWK R NR              15        13.0      RISE TO 14.8 FEET 10 PM
 SPRINGFIELD                                 TONIGHT. CREST AT
 (DATUM 442.5 FT)                            AT 15.5 FEET 4 PM
                                             THURSDAY.

LONG TOM R AT MONROE      8.7       8.6      REMAIN AT OR NEAR
                                             FLOOD STAGE THROUGH
                                             TODAY.

MARYS R NR               20        18.4      RISE TO 20 FEET 10 AM
 PHILOMATH                                   TODAY.  CREST NEAR
(DATUM 224.0 FT)                             20.2 FEET AROUND 8 PM
                                             TONIGHT.

WILLAMETTE R AT          20        21.2      NEAR CREST. FALL SLOWLY
 CORVALLIS                                   BUT REMAIN ABOVE FLOOD
(DATUM 192.0 FT)                             STAGE THROUGH FRIDAY.

ALBANY                                      28.3 FEET THURSDAY
 (DATUM 167.2 FT)                            MORNING. EXPECT FLOODING
                                             IN BRYANT PARK AND SOUTH
                                             ALBANY

SANTIAM R AT JEFFERSON   15        14.1      RISE  A LITTLE TODAY BUT
(DATUM 199.6)                                EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW
                                             FLOOD STAGE.

LUCKIAMUTE R NR SUVER    27        28.1      CREST NEAR 28.5 FEET
 (DATUM 171.9)                               10 PM TONIGHT

WILLAMETTE R AT SALEM    28        28.2      CREST NEAR 29.2 FEET
(DATUM 106.1 FT)                             THURSDAY MORNING AND
                                             REMAIN NEAR THIS LEVEL
                                             THROUGH FRIDAY.

S YAMHILL R AT           50        53.3      RISE TO AND CREST NEAR
  MCMINNVILLE                                55.0 FEET 10 PM TONIGHT.
                                             REMAIN ABOVE FLOOD STAGE
                                             THROUGH THURSDAY.

MOLALLA NEAR CANBY       13        9.75      CREST AT 12 FEET 10 AM
                                   9 AM      TODAY.

TUALATIN R NR DILLEY     17        18.0      CREST NEAR 18.2 FT NOON
 (DATUM 147.6 FT)                            THURSDAY.

TUALATIN R AT FARMINGTON 32        34.6      CREST 35.5 FT 10 AM
(DATUM 100.4 FT)                             THURSDAY...HIGHWAY 10
                                             OTHER ROADS AND SOME
                                             HOMES NEAR RIVER
                                             THREATENED.

TUALATIN R AT            20        N/A       RISE TO AROUND 25 FT 4
 LAKE OSWEGO       (UNOFFICIAL)              AM FRIDAY. EXPECT
                                             FLOODING OF ROADS AND
                                             STRUCTURES IN TUALATIN
                                             AND POSSIBLY AROUND LAKE
                                             OSWEGO.

TUALATIN R AT WEST LINN  13.5      15.8      RISE TO 17.5 FEET BY 4
 (DATUM 85.6 FT)                             AM FRIDAY. HOMES
                                             THREATENED.

WILLAMETTE R AT          14        15.6      RISE TO 16.7 FT 4 AM
 OREGON CITY UPPER LOCKS                     THURSDAY. RISE TO
 (DATUM 50.2 FT)                             TO 17.0 FT FRIDAY. STILL
                                             RISING.

WILLAMETTE R AT          27        32.7      RISE TO 36.8 FEET 4 AM
 OREGON CITY LOWER LOCKS                     THURSDAY. RISE TO
 (DATUM 0.4 FT)                              TO 37.4 FT 4 AM FRIDAY.
                                             STILL RISING.

CLACKAMAS R AT ESTACADA  10        11.6      CREST AT 12.4 FT 10 AM
 (DATUM 296.9 FT )                           TODAY.

JOHNSON CREEK AT         11        11.4      FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE
  SYCAMORE                                   10 AM TODAY.
(DATUM 228.5 FT)










FLOOD WARNING                           BULLETIN #47
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
440 AM PST TUE DEC 31 1996

...FLOOD WARNING ISSUED FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVER
          SIUSLAW RIVER IN LANE COUNTY


RIVER FORECAST LISTED BELOW:

                         FLOOD     LATEST
RIVER                    STAGE     STAGE           FORECAST
                         (FEET)    (FEET)

SIUSLAW R NR MAPLETON    14        16.0      RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE
(DATUM 41.0 FT)                              10 AM WEDNESDAY AND
                                             CREST NEAR 19.1 FEET 
                                             4 PM WEDNSDAY.

HERE ARE THE LATEST STAGES AND FORECASTS FOR RIVERS WHICH
FLOOD WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AS OF 1100 AM PST...

RIVER/         LATEST   FLOOD    FORECAST/
STATION NAME   STAGE    STAGE    COMMENTS
------------   ------   -----    --------------------------------
S. UMPQUA R.   NOT      26.0     FORECAST TO REACH FLOOD STAGE
WINSTON        AVBL              AROUND 400 AM NEW YEARS MORNING.
                                 FORECAST CREST NEAR 30 FEET
                                 SOMETIME AROUND 1000 AM NEW YEARS
                                 DAY.

S. UMPQUA R.   19.0     22.0     FORECAST TO REACH FLOOD STAGE
ROSEBURG                         BEFORE 1000 PM TONIGHT. FORECAST
                                 CREST AROUND 28 FEET SOMETIME
                                 AROUND 400 PM NEW YEARS DAY.

UMPQUA RIVER   27.2     33.0     FORECAST TO REACH FLOOD STAGE
ELKTON TO                        BEFORE 400 AM NEW YEARS MORNING.
REEDSPORT                        FORECAST CREST AROUND 39 FEET

N. FORK        NOT      35.0     FORECAST TO REACH FLOOD STAGE
COQUILLE R.    AVBL              AROUND 400 AM NEW YEARS MORNING.
NEAR MYRTLE                      FORECAST CREST AROUND 36 FEET
POINT                            AFTER 1000 AM NEW YEARS MORNING.

COQUILLE R.    20.0     21.0     FORECAST TO REACH FLOOD STAGE
COQUILLE TO                      BEFORE 1000 PM TONIGHT. FORECAST
BANDON                           CREST NEAR 24 FEET AROUND 400 PM
                                 NEW YEARS DAY.

ON THE S. UMPQUA RIVER...EXPECT WIDESPREAD LOWLAND AND AGRICURTURAL
FLOODING.  SOME SECTIONS OF HIGHWAY 99 NEAR DILLARD MAY BEGIN TO
FLOOD.  IN ROSEBURG...EXPECT SOME FLOODING OF STRUCTURES ALONG
ARIZONA STREET UPSTREAM OF THE DOWNTOWN BRIDGES...AND SOME FLOODING
ALONG AND NEAR THE DEER CREEK CONFLUENCE WITH THE S. UMPQUA RIVER.

ON THE UMPQUA RIVER...WIDESPREAD LOWLAND AND PASTURE LAND FLOODING
CAN BE EXPECTED.  SOME FLOODING OF LOW LYING RESIDENCES IN THE
SCOTTSBURG AREA IS POSSIBLE.

ON THE COQUILLE RIVER...WIDESPREAD FARMLAND FLOODING CAN BE EXPECTED

                                             

ALONG WITH FLOODING OF SOME SECTIONS OF STATE HIGHWAY 42S BETWEEN
COQUILLE AND BANDON.

THESE RIVER FORECASTS ARE BASED ON FORECASTED RAINFALL AMOUNTS. IF
THE OBSERVED RAINFALL AMOUNTS DIFFER FROM THE FORECASTED
AMOUNTS...THESE RIVER STAGE FORECASTS WILL VARY ACCORDINGLY.
THESE FORECASTS WILL BE UPDATED AS THIS STORM PROGRESSES.
WITH THE ALREADY SATURATED GROUND CONDITIONS...AND THE ADDITIONAL
2 TO 5 INCHES OF RAINS POSSIBLE ALONG THE COASTAL REACHES OF THE
AREA...PERSONS ARE URGED TO BE AWARE OF AND ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
POSSIBLE LANDSLIDES.

SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS SITUATION. BE PREPARED TO
TAKE ACTION IF RIVER OR STREAM LEVELS REACH THREATENING LEVELS OR IF
A WARNING IS ISSUED.

FLOOD WARNING...WILLAMETTE BASIN...            BULLETIN #52
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1130 PST TUE DEC 31 1996

...FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED FOR THE  
     COASTAL FORK OF THE WILLAMETTE RIVER NEAR GOSHEN

...FLOOD WARNINGS CONTINUE FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN THE WILLAMETTE
RIVER SYSTEM...

     MOHAWK RIVER IN LANE COUNTY
     MARYS RIVER IN BENTON COUNTY
     LUCKIAMUTE RIVER IN POLK COUNTY
     SANTIAM RIVER IN MARION AND LINN COUNTIES
     SOUTH YAMHILL RIVER IN YAMHILL COUNTY
     PUDDING RIVER IN MARION AND CLACKAMAS COUNTIES
     TUALATIN RIVER IN WASHINGTON AND CLACKAMAS COUNTIES
     CLACKAMAS RIVER IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY

     JOHNSON CREEK IN MULTNOMAH COUNTY
     WILLAMETTE RIVER IN...
          LINN...BENTON...POLK...MARION...YAMHILL...AND CLACKAMAS
          COUNTIES

...A FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL OTHER NORTHWEST OREGON RIVERS...

RIVER FORECASTS ARE LISTED BELOW:

                         FLOOD     LATEST
RIVER                    STAGE     STAGE           FORECAST
                         (FEET)    (FEET)
COASTAL FORK OF THE      13        13.1      CREST AT 14.3 FEET
WILLAMETTE NEAR      (UNOFFICIAL)            EARLY WEDNESDAY
GOSHEN

MOHAWK R NR              15        13.2      RISE TO 15 FEET MIDNIGHT
 SPRINGFIELD                                 TONIGHT THEN CRESTING
 (DATUM 442.5 FT)                            AT 21.0 FEET 10 AM 
                                             WEDNESDAY. ROADS AND 
                                             FARMLAND FLOODED.

WILLAMETTE R AT          14        13.2      RISE TO 14.0 FEET 
HARRISBURG                                   2 AM WEDNESDAY AND CREST
 (DATUM 288.4 FT)                            NEAR 15.0 FEET NOON 
                                             WEDNESDAY.

MARYS R NR               20        17.6      RISE TO 20 FEET 10 PM
 PHILOMATH                                   TODAY.  CREST NEAR 
(DATUM 224.0 FT)                             20.5 FEET NOON THURSDAY  
                                             

WILLAMETTE R AT          20        20.2      CREST AT 23.5 FEET 2AM 
 CORVALLIS                                   THURSDAY. AT THIS LEVEL
(DATUM 192.0 FT)                             EXPECT FLOODING OF
                                             HIGHWAY 99 S OF
                                             CORVALLIS AND FLOODING
                                             OF HIGHWAY 34 E OF
                                             CORVALLIS. 

WILLAMETTE R AT          25        25.2      CREST AT 30.5 FEET 10AM
 ALBANY                                      THURSDAY.
 (DATUM 167.2 FT)                            EXPECT FLOODING IN
                                             BYANT PARK...SOUTH
                                             ALBANY AND AGRI AREAS.

SANTIAM R AT JEFFERSON   15        14.6      CREST AT 16.5 FEET AT
(DATUM 199.6)                                10 AM WEDNESDAY


LUCKIAMUTE R NR SUVER    27        27.8      CREST 31 FT 4 PM 
 (DATUM 171.9)                               THURSDAY

WILLAMETTE R AT SALEM    28        27.2      CREST AT 32.5 FEET 
(DATUM 106.1 FT)                             NOON ON THURSDAY.
                                             ONSIDERABLE LOWLAND
                                             FLOODING

S YAMHILL R AT           50        53.3      
MCMINNVILLE                                  CREST 56.5 FEET 4 PM
                                             TODAY.

PUDDING R AT AURORA      22        24.7      CREST 27.0 FEET 
 (DATUM 72.2 FT)                             10 PM THURSDAY.

MOLALLA NEAR CANBY       13        9.75      CREST AT 12 FEET 10 AM 
                                   9AM       WEDNESDAY.

TUALATIN R NR DILLEY     17        17.7      CREST NEAR 18.3 FT 10 AM

 (DATUM 147.6 FT)                            THURSDAY.

TUALATIN R AT FARMINGTON 32        34.2      CREST 34.5 FT 8 AM
(DATUM 100.4 FT)                             THURSDAY...HIGHWAY 10
                                             OTHER ROADS AND SOME
                                             HOMES NEAR RIVER
                                             THREATENED. 

TUALATIN R AT WEST LINN  13.5      14.6      RISE TO 16.5 FEET BY
(DATUM 85.6)                                 4 FRIDAY. 

WILLAMETTE R AT          14        15.2      RISE TO 17.6 FT 4 AM 
 OREGON CITY UPPER LOCKS                     FRIDAY MORNING. PAPER 
(DATUM 50.2 FT)                              MILL AND POWER PLANT     
                                             AFFECTED. STILL RISING.

WILLAMETTE R AT          27        30.4      RISE TO 37.3 FEET 4 AM
 OREGON CITY LOWER LOCKS                     FRIDAY MORNING. STILL
 (DATUM 0.4 FT)                              RISING.

CLACKAMAS R AT ESTACADA  10         8.8      CREST AT 10.5 FT 4 AM 
 (DATUM 296.9 FT )                           WEDNESDAY.

JOHNSON CREEK AT         11         7.3      RISE TO 11 FEET THIS  
SYCAMORE                                     EVENING AND THEN
 (DATUM 228.5 FT)                            CRESTING AT 13.6 FEET
                                             NEAR MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

THE MIDDLE FORK OF THE WILLAMETTE RIVER AT JASPER (UNOFFICIAL FLOOD
STAGE OF 10.0 FEET) WILL CREST NEAR FLOOD STAGE TODAY AND THEN REMAIN
NEAR FLOOD STAGE  THROUGH THURSDAY.

...HEAVY RAIN AND HIGH FREEZING LEVELS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW WILL
CAUSE MANY RIVERS IN WESTERN AND SOUTH EASTERN WASHINGTON TO RISE
ABOVE THEIR BANKS AND WILL CAUSE LOCALIZED URBAN AND SMALL STREAM
FLOODING...

FLOOD WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN WESTERN
WASHINGTON

     CHEHALIS            SKOKOMISH
     SKOOKUMCHUCK        WHITE

FLOOD WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVER IN EASTERN
WASHINGTON

     WALLA WALLA

A FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL RIVERS ON THE OLYMPIC
PENINSULA AND IN WESTERN WASHINGTON FROM SNOHOMISH COUNTY SOUTHWARD.
RIVERS OF CONCERN INCLUDE THE SNOQUALMIE... THE SNOHOMISH... THE
CEDAR... THE SATSOP... AMONG OTHERS. 

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL LATE TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY COMBINED WITH HIGH
FREEZING LEVELS COULD DRIVE FURTHER RISES ON WESTERN WASHINGTON
RIVERS. FLOODING COULD BECOME MORE SERIOUS AND WIDESPREAD IN WESTERN
WASHINGTON BY EARLY WEDNESDAY.

RIVERS IN THE SOUTH PART OF EASTERN WASHINGTON WILL ALSO BE ON THE
RISE WITH MORE SERIOUS AND WIDESPREAD FLOODING PROBLEMS POSSIBLE BY
WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

IN ADDITION URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOODING WILL REMAIN A WIDESPREAD
PROBLEM IN WESTERN WASHINGTON THROUGH WEDNESDAY AT LEAST.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE ACROSS FLOODED AREAS. THIS IS HOW MOST FLOOD
RELATED DEATHS IN WASHINGTON OCCUR.

KEEP IN MIND THAT CONDITIONS COULD CHANGE RAPIDLY. STAY TUNED TO NOAA
WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS SOURCES FOR THE LATEST WEATHER AND
RIVER INFORMATION.
$$

WAC027-041-067-010700-
CHEHALIS AND SKOOKUMCHUCK RIVER BASIN
1100 AM PST TUE DEC 31 1996

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

SKOOKUMCHUCK AT     84.6 FT   85.0 FT   FELL BELOW FLOOD STAGE AT
   CENTRALIA        1000 AM             6 AM THIS MORNING. REMAINING
                                        NEAR FLOOD STAGE THROUGH 
                                        TOMORROW.

CHEHALIS AT         68.9 FT   65.0 FT   FALLING SLOWLY THROUGH
  CENTRALIA         1000 AM             AFTERNOON BUT REMAINING ABOVE
                                        FLOOD STAGE.

CHEHALIS NEAR       17.0 FT   13.3 FT   FALLING SLOWLY THROUGH     
  GRAND MOUND       800 AM              AFTERNOON BUT REMAINING ABOVE
                                        FLOOD STAGE.

LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS AND ELEVATED FREEZING LEVELS NEAR 7500 FT TONIGHT
WILL KEEP THE RIVER LEVELS NEAR OR ABOVE FLOOD STAGE THROUGH
THURSDAY.

THESE RIVER LEVELS WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SOME RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL AREAS IN CHEHALIS AND CENTRALIA...WITH MANY ROADS FLOODED.
THIS LEVEL ON THE CHEHALIS RIVER CORRESPONDS TO A PHASE 2 FLOOD IN
THE LEWIS COUNTY FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM.

THE CHEHALIS RIVER WILL ALSO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT FLOODING DOWNSTREAM IN
THE INDEPENDENCE VALLEY OF THURSTON COUNTY TODAY AND FURTHER
DOWNSTREAM IN GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY.
$$

WAC045-010700-
SKOKOMISH RIVER BASIN
1100 AM PST TUE DEC 31 1996

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

SKOKOMISH NEAR      16.6 FT   15.5 FT   REMAINING ABOVE FLOOD STAGE
  POTLATCH          945 AM              TODAY AND TOMORROW.

MINOR FLOODING WILL CONTINUE IN THE SKOKOMISH VALLEY...MAINLY ALONG
SKOKOMISH VALLEY ROAD AND LOWER BOURGAULT ROAD.
$$

WAC033-053-010700-

WHITE RIVER BASIN
1100 AM PST TUE DEC 31 1996

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

WHITE BELOW         6500 CFS  8000 CFS  REMAINING NEAR 6500 CFS
  MUD MOUNTAIN DAM  915 PM              THROUGH THIS MORNING. RISING
                                        TO 8000 CFS TOMORROW.

THE WHITE RIVER WILL CAUSE FLOODING BELOW MUD MOUNTAIN DAM THROUGH
TONIGHT. THIS CORRESPONDS TO A PHASE 3 IN THE KING COUNTY FLOOD
WARNING SYSTEM.
$$

WAC071-010700-
WALLA WALLA RIVER BASIN
1100 AM PST TUE DEC 31 1996

RIVER FORECAST      LATEST    FLOOD     FORECAST/REMARKS
     POINT          READING   STAGE

WALLA WALLA NR      12.5 FT   13.0 FT   CRESTING AROUND 13.5 FT
  TOUCHET           400 AM              MIDDAY.


FLOOD WARNIG...COASTAL RIVERS                     BULLETIN #51
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR
1000 AM PST TUE DEC 31 1996

...A FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED FOR THE NESTUCCA RIVER NEAR BEAVER

...FLOOD STATEMENTS ARE BEING DIVIDED INTO COMMON BASINS.  SEE OTHER
BULLETINS FOR THE WILLAMETTE RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES...THE LOWER
WILLAMETTE AND COLUMBIA RIVERS...AND EASTERN OREGON RIVERS...


...FLOOD WARNINGS CONTINUE FOR THE FOLLOWING OREGON NORTH AND CENTRAL
COASTAL RIVERS...

     NEHALEM RIVER IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY
     WILSON RIVER IN TILLAMOOK COUNTY
     ALSEA RIVER IN BENTON AND LINCOLN COUNTIES
     SILETZ RIVER IN LINCOLN COUNTY

     SIUSLAW RIVER IN LANE COUNTY

...A FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL NORTHWEST OREGON RIVERS...

RIVER FORECASTS ARE LISTED BELOW:

                         FLOOD     LATEST
RIVER                    STAGE     STAGE           FORECAST
                         (FEET)    (FEET)

NEHALEM R NR FOSS        14        16.9      CREST AT 22 FEET
(DATUM 32.6 FT)                              4 AM WEDNESDAY
                                             WITH MAJOR FLOODING IN
                                             TOWN OF NEHALEM.         
                                             REMAINING ABOVE FLOOD 
                                             STAGE THROUGH FRIDAY.

WILSON R NR TILLAMOOK    13        11.6      RISE TO ABOVE FLOOD      
(DATUM 71.9 FT)                              4 AM WEDNESDAY.
                                             CREST NEAR 14 FEET
                                             10 AM WEDNESDAY.

NESTUCCA R NEAR BEAVER   18         9.9      RISE TO CREST NEAR 18

                                             FEET WEDNESDAY MORNING

SILETZ R AT SILETZ       16        12.0      RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE
(DATUM 102.3 FT)                             TONIGHT AND CREST
                                             NEAR 21 FEET 4 AM
                                             WEDNESDAY. SEVERAL
                                             ROADS FLOODED. 

ALSEA RIVER NR TIDEWATER 18        16.3      RISE TO ABOVE FLOOD
(DATUM 288.4 FT)                             STAGE 10 PM TUESDAY      
                                             CREST NEAR 21 FEET
                                             10 AM WEDNESDAY. 

SIUSLAW RIVER NR
MAPLETON                 18
               THERE IS NO GAGE AT THIS LOCATION BUT THE
          FORECAST IS FOR THE RIVER TO CREST WEDNESDAY
          AFTERNOON AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE ABOVE FLOOD
          STAGE.     

TIDAL FLOODING IS POSSIBLE AT THE MOUTH OF MOST COASTAL STREAMS.






































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