PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The soaking rains brought flooding to many parts of Oregon Tuesday as residents and officials tried to deal as quickly as possible with the rising waters.

In Washington County, 40 roads were impacted by high water. 

“We’ve had a lot of reports of water over the roads, so we’ve been doing some road closures and it’s been pretty wild,” Melissa De Lyser, communications manager for Wash. Co. Department of Land Use and Transportation, said. “Even as little as 6 inches can have a significant impact on your travel.”

Forest Grove Fire said flooding was such a problem in the western part of Washington County that there were too many roadways to name.

Yamhill County

In the heart of wine country, some trouble spots have presented challenges for drivers. Stillers Road off Highway 240 is usually one of the first spots to flood.

The Yamhill-Carlton School District sent students home a few hours early Tuesday. The superintendent told KOIN 6 News it was the safest way to go since 40% of their kids need to take the bus through some low lying areas.

Many of the flood spots receded by Tuesday afternoon and school is likely to be in session on Wednesday.

Cowlitz  and Clark counties

Cowlitz County commissioners issued an emergency declaration due to the flooding. So did the city of Kalama due to several inches of water from the rain and snow melt.

In Kalama, Exit 30 off I-5 was closed from flooding at the nearby park. West Frontage Road was also closed and the city is worried about a possible sewer overflow. They’ve asked residents to limit their use of dishwashers and washing machines to keep water from the drains.

Kalama residents were also asked to help fill sandbags for those who needed them.

In Ridgefield, several roads were temporarily closed while crews worked to clear the drains and wait for the water to go down in other areas.

Columbia County

A culvert on Fox Creek near Hwy 30 in Rainier was overrun even after $275,000 was spent fortifying and restoring it. 

Rainier’s flooding started to recede Tuesday afternoon, but not before a Grocery Outlet parking lot caved in and a church parking lot became a swimming pool.

At Veterans Park on the banks of the South Scappoose Creek, waters rose and blocked several roads.

Around town, dozens of people dealt with high water and downed trees. Road crews responded as quickly as they could to block off any areas dangerous for drivers.

A sandbagging station was set up at City Hall.