1) Prepare for potential flooding
2) Overlook Neighborhood General Meeting (Tuesday, Jan. 17)
3) Report downed trees on public lands
4) Patton Square Park Survey
5) Skip the Emergency Room if you can
1) Prepare for potential flooding
An atmospheric river system arriving in the middle of next week threatens heavy rainfall that, coupled with melting snow, could cause flooding. If you can, please clear storm drains near your home. Drains blocked by debris or ice can cause urban pooling in neighborhoods. That standing water is dangerous to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. If it is particularly high, it can flood into residential properties.
Learn more about clearing city storm drains by clicking here.
2) Overlook Neighborhood General Meeting (Tuesday, Jan. 17)
Join your Overlook neighbors at our upcoming general meeting to find out what’s going on around the neighborhood. Topics on the agenda for discussion include Patton Square Park, presentations about development projects along Interstate Avenue and a presentation about the upcoming Portland Public School construction bond measure.
OKNA General Meeting (agenda)
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Kaiser Town Hall Building (3704 N Interstate Ave.)
3) Report downed trees on public lands
If you find a newly downed tree or large limbs on public land, please report it to Portland Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry crews at 503-823-TREE (8733). The crews are working hard to clear trees and large limbs from Portland’s streets. On the first day of the storm, crews worked on trees which blocked TriMet tracks in four locations, allowing trains to continue vital service.
As of mid-day Friday, there were more than 200 calls made to 823-TREE. All emergencies will be addressed in time, but work is expected to take weeks. Crews are working on the areas of biggest impacts first, mitigating any safety issues before clearing debris.
For more information on PP&R Urban Forestry, including permits, contact information, and resources, please visit their website.
4) Patton Square Park Survey
Friends of Patton Square Park thank the neighbors who have completed the survey about Patton Square Park and the playground enhancement project. If you haven’t yet completed the survey, time remains to share your input. All users of the park – with and without children – are encouraged to participate to that we can develop a plan that will serve everyone.
Take the survey online by clicking here.
5) Skip the Emergency Room if you can
Tri-County Health Office advises not using ER for non-urgent health issues, especially during current severe weather conditions and annual flu season
The Tri-County Health Officer is cautioning that people with non-urgent health conditions may face long waits at hospital emergency departments across the Portland metro area. The public should know that emergency departments have been unusually busy for several days and that those with non-urgent issues should consider seeking care from a primary care provider or urgent care.
People with urgent, serious or life-threatening conditions are continuing to receive the care they need,” said Dr. Paul Lewis, Health Officer for Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties.
However, unprecedented numbers of patients reporting to area hospitals and high ambulance volume are causing in longer-than-usual waits and for ambulances to be directed to more distant destinations than typical.
Several factors are contributing to the backup. First, the number of people who have already been admitted to area hospitals is high. Having so many people receiving in-patient care slows the ability of emergency department staff to move patients out of the emergency department and into an in-patient bed. Second, Dr. Jon Jui, the Multnomah County Emergency Services Medical Director, said there has also been a pent-up demand for care due to the recent three-day holiday weekends, eight days of severe weather and the annual flu season.
“No one will be turned away from hospital,” Dr. Lewis said. “But if you or a loved one have a non-urgent matter, please consider visiting an urgent care office or your own provider before heading to the ER.”