The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a Flood Watch beginning Wednesday evening and continuing through Friday evening as a powerful storm system brings the potential for excessive rainfall across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. The watch covers a wide region including the Oregon Coast, Portland metro area, Willamette Valley, Columbia River Gorge, and parts of southwest Washington, where forecasters warn that prolonged rainfall could trigger flooding, landslides, and dangerous runoff.

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According to the advisory, flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday and lasting into Friday evening. The storm is expected to produce heavy precipitation across coastal mountains and interior valleys, increasing the risk that rivers, creeks, and streams may rise out of their banks. Urban areas such as Portland, Vancouver, Hillsboro, and Salem could also see flooding in poor drainage areas and low-lying neighborhoods.

Communities along the Oregon Coast—including Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Tillamook, and Pacific City— are also under the watch, as coastal mountain ranges funnel moisture inland. In southwest Washington, the alert includes areas such as Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, Vancouver, and the Willapa Hills, where saturated soils may struggle to absorb additional rainfall.

Forecasters warn that excessive runoff may cause flooding of roads, creeks, and rivers, particularly where water collects quickly. The heavy rain may also increase the risk of landslides and debris flows, especially in steep terrain such as the West Hills of Portland, Cascade foothills, and canyon areas of the Columbia River Gorge. Homes, structures, and roads located below steep slopes or near canyon mouths may face elevated risk if soils become unstable.

Areas included in the Flood Watch span dozens of communities, including Portland, Lake Oswego, Tigard, Gresham, Oregon City, Hillsboro, McMinnville, Forest Grove, Salem, Newberg, Sandy, Estacada, Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Longview, and Kelso, along with many smaller towns along the coast and inland valleys.

Emergency officials urge residents to monitor forecasts closely and prepare for rapidly changing conditions. Those living in flood-prone locations should be ready to move vehicles and belongings to higher ground and remain alert for possible Flood Warnings, which may be issued if flooding becomes imminent or begins to occur.

Travelers should also be cautious, as water-covered roads, falling debris, and localized flooding can develop quickly during heavy rain events. Drivers are reminded to never attempt to drive through flooded roadways, where water depth and current can be difficult to judge.

With soils already wet from recent storms, the approaching system could bring significant runoff and rising waterways across the region through the end of the week. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow updates from the National Weather Service as the storm develops.