Flood in Union County, Oregon

Flood May 15, 2011 – May 17, 2011 · Union County, Oregon

$2.0M

Damage as recorded

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

Heavy rainfall on above average snow pack produced record flood stage of 7.7 feet on the Grande Ronde River at Perry. Additional flooding occurred on Little Creek, Wolf Creek, Ladd Creek, and Catherine Creek. Flooding impacted 12 thousand acres of crops and dozens of homes and businesses. Twenty-county roads and state roads were covered including Highway 204 west of LaGrande. Flooding also occurred at Hilgard and Red Bridge State Parks west of LaGrande.

The wider storm

An upper level low pressure system moved over the Pacific Northwest. Moist and unstable conditions ahead of the low triggered widespread thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and isolated large hail. This combined with the abundant spring snow-pack and wet ground to cause flooding and flash flooding. As the upper low brought colder air. late season heavy snow ended the episode in the Blue Mountains. Snowfall amounts in inches included Milkshakes Snotel (9) and High Ridge Snotel (7).

Began near Perry (45.3300, -118.1700).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 312520. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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