Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-01-20
OREGON.
Destructlyc Freshets.

DeStEUCtaVc fFeSuetAs
PORTLAND, January 19th-The tremen-
dous rain-storm which prevailed throughout
the Willamette valley about ten days ago has
caused great damage. A very warm rain fell
in torrents for over thirty hours, with scarcely
an intermission. The great quantities of snow
which had fallen early in the winter on the
Cascade and Coast Range mountains melted
under the influence OF the warm rain, and as
a natural consequence the Willamette river
and It's many tributaries were suddenly swol.
len to an unusual hight Prodie ious volumes
of water were borne down by a thousand
streams swelled int roaring torrents and pre-
cipitated on the valleys. The Willamette
river was inadequate to carry these watery
thus became like an inland lake, NOV
ing with irresistible force down the val
lev seaward. In many places the lowlaGds
were inundated for miles, bridges swept
away, wharves and warehouses flooded or de.
molished. and railroads washed out The
damage to property in this city is very con-
siderable. The lower stories of several large
docks were flooded to depth of four feet,
and great quantities of grain which could not
be removed in time covered. The Oregon
and California and Oregonian Railway Com
panies. on the east side OF the Willamette
river. suffered much damage apd have been
unable to make connections for the past week
Several bridges on the line of the former
company were weakened, though none have
been carried away. 50 far as known. The
Oregonian Railway Company has lost two
large bridges across the North and South
Santiam. Both companies are repairing
damages as rapidly as the weather
and stage of water will admit,
but regular trains will probably not be run
ming for three days. The telegraph lines
I'D So
the tops of the poles 10 numerous places being
several feet under water. Mails between
Portland and points south as far as Rcseburg
have been interrupted for more than week,
owing to the very high stage of water and
immense quantities Of drifswood. The locks
at Oregon City were shut down at the begin
ming of the freshet, and boats were unable to
run. thus preventing communication by
river. The general damage has been much
heavier on the east than on the west side Of
the river, owing to the fact that the William
cite has fewer large tributaries on that than
ON the other side. The damage to farms in
certain sections is reported heavy. A num-
Der of dwelling houses and barns have been
fosded. and great amount of fencing
carried away. Considerable stock is also
reported lost. On the west side the damage
to the railroad is very light, and trains make
regular trips. At Junction, on the Oregon
and California h2liIOSut I'D mites sOutu Ol
here. the rise was phenomenal. Wednesday
night the river was nearly full to its banks,
but in less than eight hours the water had
spread over the prairie and was three feet
deep in the principal hotel of the town. As
far as the eye could see the country was one
vast lake. At Salem three docks were car
RED away: loss, $1,000. The 0regoBian
Railway Company's marrow gauge) loss viii
be $40, 600 and the Oregon reg ~, and California
H.; H. from, wet wheat il about $40, COO The
t 10 loss in the Willamette valley will be
bort 500 600, but it is scattered among so
49, farmers that the damage in no case
many he severely felt. The warm rain Of
week ago also extended to saT's sbs o5ssGD
WA @aaa flooded. Miller's wagon bridge over
s Selg 6a flutes river was carried away; loss
sn 1e doo The new track of tbs Oregon f Ra,',
slu,Vo ND Navigation Company from Ce a
TO Bl ,;Sss are S intact ony one loss Ct life
The P Ss s si7 Oregon 'ii ss 9 ~S.
tlL WV