Dateline: Albany, OR By: Jim Willhight @ 7:45 pm, PDT
The latest tropically born winter storm is still deluging us rain, rain and more rain. Just 24 hours ago (7:45 pm 12/16/2015) the rain started again in Albany.
“Twenty Four Hour Rain Total (ending 7:47 pm 12/17/2015) = 3.14 Inches*. That brings our month to date total to 11.97 inches.”
As I write this blog we have totaled 3.14 inches of rain fall in the past 24 hours.
The heaviest downpour so far was during the 4 pm afternoon drive time hour when we received over 1/3 of an inch (0.34") of rain.
At just a little over the half way point for December our rainfall total is an amazing 11.97 inches for what is turning out to be one of the wettest month's in history for Albany, Oregon.
We are expecting an additional 3/4 inch of rain from this latest storm before moving east. winds down 24 hours from now. The forecast is for rain or rain showers through Christmas day. We will keep you updated but it looks like a Wet Christmas.
River Flooding
As of this posting both the Willamette (at Albany) and the Santiam (at Jefferson) are expected to crest near or slightly above minor flood stage.
Willamette River (Albany): Crest at 24.8 feet on Saturday 12/19 at 1 pm. 25 Feet is the minor flooding level. Impacts: Lowland flooding in low lying agricultural land. Above 25 ft, expect widespread flooding of rural and secondary roads and low-lying agricultural land.
Santiam River (Jefferson): Crest at 15.6 feet, Friday, 12/18 9 am. This is over the minor flooding stage of 15.0 feet. Impacts: At 13.0 ft, the river is at bank-full level at this point. There may be some areas where water is spilling over the banks near Jefferson. Above 15.0 ft, expect widespread lowland and agricultural flooding. Some secondary roads in low lying areas will be flooded at this level.
* - Albany, OR (Latitude: N 44 ° 35 ' 52 '' / Longitude: W 123 ° 7 ' 40 '' Weather Station