Oregon Dairy Farms Face Flooding
By Lucas Sjostrom
Farmers in the Tillamook and Nehalem Valleys of coastal Oregon dealt with high waters this week as heavy rains, winds, and flooding rivers forced some farms to evacuate livestock.
Eric Silva, whose Sunset Canyon Jerseys farm is about 300 feet above sea-level and 20 miles from Tillamook Valley, said that his area is wet, but his friends at or below sea-level faced high water that forced livestock evacuations using tractors pulling trailers for several dairy and dairy goat farms, as water was over the lower portion of pickup truck windows.
Facebook pictures show farmers getting to and from their barns using kayaks and motored boats to complete the chores they can accomplish as the water stays high.
[SEE A GALLERY OF THE PHOTOS HERE]
The National Weather Service reports that the Nehalem River crossed the minor flooding stage of 15’ on December 7, and nearly reached what is considered major flooding, cresting at 23.41 feet. The record crest for the Nehalem River is 29.6’.
Silva said that farmers who live below sea-level can be like sitting ducks in these situations.
Read more on www.DairyHerd.com.
