Flash flood warning issued

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, August 21, 2002

A surprise downpour hit Wallowa County Tuesday afternoon after two weeks of dry weather, resulting in a flash flood warning for the Joseph and Wallowa Lake area being issued by the National Weather Service,. The bulletin was issued at 4:14 p.m. and the warning was for the time period to 6 p.m.

“At 4:14 p.m. the National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated that over an inch of rain has fallen south of Joseph in the steep terrain of the Wallowa Mountains, read the bulletin. “Heavy rain will continue through 5 p.m. with flash flooding likely in this area. Excessive runoff from this storm will cause flash flooding of creeks and streams, roads and roadside culverts. The heavy rains could also trigger rock and mudslides in steep terrain.”

A mudslide destroyed the Wallowa Lake Boy Scout Camp dining hall and changed the course of the Wallowa River at that location on July 18.