Bend, Ore. – Between Wednesday, December 31, 2014, and approximately 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2015, the Deschutes River between the Colorado Avenue Bridge and the Galveston Avenue Bridge had risen between 8 and 10 inches. The river stopped rising yesterday, Thursday, around 1 p.m.
There will be a public information officer stationed on the Columbia Park footbridge between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. today to answer questions for the public.
Freezing temperatures and ice crystals in the river, along with high flows coming from the Little Deschutes, have contributed to flooding of some properties along the Deschutes River between Colorado Avenue and Galveston Avenue. Several backyards and public parks have become flooded and icy. River ice is unstable and people and pets need to stay away from the river.
Flows coming from the Little Deschutes were dropping today, and with warmer temperatures in the forecast, experts are hopeful that the worst is over. City of Bend staff are still monitoring river flows and will be watching the thaw cycle to observe ice break-up patterns to prevent potential problems at the Galveston Avenue bridge and the Pacific Power dam further downstream by Newport Avenue.
Public Works and Bend Fire employees have been visiting the homes along Riverfront Street to offer assistance and information. Staff from Bend’s streets department filled and provided at least 350 sandbags to residents in that area. This morning, there are still 30 to 40 sandbags for residents to pick up at the footbridge area on Riverfront and Gilchrest.
Bend Fire, Public Works, Communications, and the Sherriff’s emergency service manager are monitoring the situation and are in communications with the Oregon Water Resources Department, Pacific Power officials and Bend Park and Recreation District officials as needed.
Another source of information: http://deschutescountyemergencyinfo.blogspot.com. And, for information, the Deschutes County Emergency Hotline at 541-550-4886.
If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.
