Officials continue to warn that water mains could burst due to rising temperatures as a result of the winter storm. Over the past week, Portland residents have already made thousands of emergency calls about water supplies.
With temperatures expected to rise to 4 degrees on Sunday, frozen pipes are more likely to burst as they begin to thaw, according to the water authority. As of Friday, the water authority had answered more than 3,000 emergency calls about damage from the storm, which sent temperatures as low as -12 degrees last weekend.
The Water Authority did not respond to requests for comment on the current situation on Saturday.
According to officials, the Portland Fire Department responded to nearly 500 water-related calls between Jan. 13 and Jan. 18. The total number of daily calls increased significantly, with some days reaching nearly 1,000. By comparison, on Jan. 3, the Portland Fire Department reported 377 calls.
READ: How to prevent frozen pipes from bursting and tips for cleaning up the water if it happens
If you notice a water leak, immediately turn the water off at the main valve. Most shutoff valves are located where the water line comes into the house, near the garden hose connection, in the basement next to the water heater, or in the garage.
If you live in an apartment or multi-unit building, you may not have access to your shutoff valve. Contact your property manager to have the water turned off. Do not open the water meter box near the curb, as this could increase the risk of water freezing at the meter.
Water Department staff can respond to pipe bursts reported by calling the 24-hour emergency number 503-823-4874, but response may be delayed and self-remediation may be required quickly to protect pipes and property.
–Austin De Dios; [email protected]; @austindedios; 503-319-9744
—Janet Eastman; 503-294-4072; [email protected]; @janeteastman
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
Comments are closed.