A downed line on Gales Creek Road. Photo: Chas Hundley
GALES CREEK – High winds and soaking rain have already taken their toll during this weekend’s flood watch: A tree took out Portland General Electric power lines on Gales Creek Road between David Hill Road and Stringtown Road, according to Forest Grove Fire & Rescue spokesperson Matt Johnston.
Update: 911 service was restored at 12:52 p.m.
And as of about 10:30 a.m., the Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCCA), the government agency that handles 911 and emergency response communications in the county, told Forest Grove Fire & Rescue that landlines with 357, 359, and 992 prefixes cannot call into 911.
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“If you have an emergency, try to use a cell phone to call 911,” an alert from FGF&R said. “If you do not have access to a cell phone and have a medical emergency, drive to the Forest Grove, Cornelius, or Gaston Fire Stations to receive assistance.”
Dave Nemeyer, a spokesperson with FGF&R, said that crews were heading to the Gales Creek station to staff that location as well as of 10:55 a.m.
Power could be restored to the area around 12 p.m., according to Portland General.
This is a developing story, more information will be added to this article as it becomes known.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Gales Creek Journal and sister news publications the Banks Post and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
