Search and Rescue, Extractions Continue in Oregon Floodzones

Authorities report single lanes now of I-84 near the I-82 interchange are now open east and westbound, thanks to receding water and cleanup efforts.

More such efforts continue near Walla Walla, and the Umatilla County Sheriff's Department and Search and Rescue, as well as the Oregon National Guard, continued to extract people from stranded areas into the night Sunday.

From the Umatilla County Sheriff:

"Extraction operations will be taking place in the South Fork of Walla Walla River Rd up to Harris Park, and Mill Creek areas, for those who have requested assistance and are stranded due to flooding. An Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M-Blackhawk as well as a CH-47-Chinook will be assisting with extractions for those wishing to evacuate.

Volunteer Search and Rescue teams are currently conducting a ground search of the Thorn Hollow/Gibbon area with UTVs and will perform extractions if requested."

Today, Monday, these efforts continue, so far unofficially at least 47 people have been rescued after being stranded by high waters.

This image shows Search and Rescue crews and Oregon National Guard aboard the massive CH-47 Chinook chopper used to help locate and extract people.