Flash Flood — Jefferson, Oregon

2023-05-20 to 2023-05-21 · near Cove Palisades St Pk, Jefferson, Oregon

Event narrative

Via the Jefferson Counties Sheriff's Office social media post, the SW Jordan road leading to the Billy Chinook Lake was closed due to high water and debris from flash flooding. An estimated up to 1.5 inches of rainfall occurred over a 2 hour period within the immediate area, resulting in water draining into a dry waterfall, with the road closure at the bottom of this waterfall.

Wider weather episode

Southwesterly flow aided by an approaching upper level trough facilitated another round of strong diurnal convection during the afternoon hours, starting the central Oregon and along the eastern Mountains before expanding northeastward. Strong to severe T-storms focused in Central Oregon produced up to 1.5 inch hail, strong wind gusts, and heavy downpours that resulted in areas of flash flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (44.5480, -121.2633)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1104912. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.