A landslide has forced the closure of a portion of the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Corbett, Oregon, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Officials said the affected stretch lies between the Portland Women’s Forum and Larch Mountain Road. Transportation authorities have not provided a timeline for when the roadway will reopen and are advising motorists to take alternate routes.
Heavy rain raises risk of more landslides
The closure comes as a powerful weather system, known as an atmospheric river, moves into the region. Rain began increasing Wednesday and is expected to intensify through Thursday and Friday.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for parts of northwest Oregon, including the Portland metropolitan area, warning that heavy rainfall could trigger additional landslides and debris flows.
Forecast models show varying rainfall estimates. Early projections indicated roughly 1.6 inches of rain in Portland by Wednesday night, with higher amounts possible along the coast.
By Saturday morning, forecasts suggest the Portland area could receive more than 4 inches of rain, while coastal communities such as Tillamook, Oregon may see totals near 5 inches. Even the lower-end estimates predict at least 3 inches of rain over three days.
Safety tips during landslide risk
The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries advises residents to stay alert and take precautions during periods of heavy rain.
Officials recommend monitoring weather alerts through radio, television, or online sources and evacuating immediately if authorities instruct residents to leave.
They also warn that unusual sounds—such as cracking trees or rocks knocking together—may signal shifting debris. Small trickles of mud or falling rocks can sometimes precede larger landslides.
Changes in nearby streams can also signal danger. Water that suddenly turns muddy or dramatically changes flow may indicate debris movement upstream.
Drivers are urged to travel carefully and assume that roadways may be unstable, especially at night, when landslides or falling debris may be harder to detect.
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