Today I was a part of the group that went along with Benton County Commissioners Annabelle Jaramillo and Jay Dixon to see first hand the extent of damage in Benton County from last week's rain.
The group was comprised of representatives from United States Senator Ron Wyden's office and 4th District Congressman Peter FeFazio. In addition Corvallis City Councilor Mark O'Brien, Ward 1, and Benton County Sheriff Diana Simpson were also in our group.
The dollar estimate of damage in Benton County is expected to exceed $10 million dollars. The cost just to replace the steel bridge on Harris Road will surpass $1 million dollars.
The most severe flooding took place in the County. Corvallis was fortunate to the extent that the area around Conifer and Lancaster, near Corvallis Manor, was the most affected in Corvallis City limits.
The area around Avery Park sustained flooding as well as Mill Race nearby Third Street. Per Public Works Director, Mary Steckel, "The Marys River reached the highest recorded level since records have been kept, at least going back to 1940."
Avery Park still shows signs of the high water that was a result of the Marys River flooding. As a note, the Marys River remains literally at the same level as Avery Park Drive. South Third Street in Corvallis was closed for twelve hours due to high water.
As our bus proceeded down Brooklane Drive we could see the results of last week's flood waters. We passed by Decker Road where slide damage makes the road extremely hazardous for vehicular travel.
Perhaps the two areas that sustained the most severe and costly damage from the heavy rains were the Steel Bridge on Harris Road and the Area on Rosewood Drive north of Corvallis.
The Steel Bridge on Harris Road will need to be replaced and there are several houses in the Rosewood area that are almost certainly totally uninhabitable.
Per Representatives from Senator Wyden's office and Congressman DeFazio's office the information compiled today will assist in obtaining Federal funds.
Today was sunny as is the foreccast for Saturday. More rain is possible next week. This will only add to the possibility of more flooding as the ground is already totally saturated.
