PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
More rain is expected to fall on the Portland metro area this afternoon after a soggy morning commute brimming with standing water and at least one downed tree.
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The storm moved in overnight and steady to heavy rain has been falling since. Almost an inch of rain has fallen on the area since midnight, according to FOX 12 forecasters.
This morning, AIR 12 flew over some high water overtaking part of the road in Tigard at Highway 99W and McDonald Street. Cars and buses were moving through, but slowly.
RAW: Drivers plow through water
Similar reports came in from Portland at Northeast 122nd Avenue and Glisan Street. A clogged water drain also caused problems on the 217 off-ramp from Interstate 5 northbound.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation advises drivers to be cautious and to report hazards by calling 503-823-1700.
Earlier this morning, PGE crews worked for several hours to clear a large tree that fell onto some power lines on southwest Taylors Ferry Road near Lancaster.
Crews say the tree fell during a strong wind gust about 3 a.m.
Workers had to kill power to the line to safely remove the tree. They used chainsaws to cut down the tree limbs and branches. About eight customers in homes along Taylors Ferry lost power during the clean-up.
PGE says they have workers on stand-by to deal with similar fallen trees and downed power lines if the storm caused more problems.
FOX 12 meteorologists say the Willamette Valley will see continued rain and blustery conditions today.
The wind could pick up this afternoon and gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible in the metro area.
Conditions are expected to dry out on Wednesday evening.
The storm has affected two Oregon school districts so far:
- Officials say the Nestucca Valley School District is closing and buses are taking students back home.
- Students in the Alsea School District will have a two-hour delay.
Along the Oregon coast, road flooding and downed trees have impacted traffic.
- Highway 18 is closed through the Van Duzer Corridor in Polk County because of trees that have fallen across the highway.
- The water level in the Beerman Creek area of Highway 101 is at more than 4 inches. Drivers are being told to go 5 mph in that area.
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