Portland man reported missing near Washougal River

Skamania County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about a missing person. 

The family of Blake N. Strong, 30, reported on Aug. 26, that Strong, of Portland, had gone missing from a family residence along the Washougal River during the early morning hours of Friday, Aug. 26, and that Strong’s orange flotation device had been found along the river. 

Deputies from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office responded, but found no sign of Blake. 

In a news release, the Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday, Aug. 29, that Strong had sustained an injury while recreating in the area on Aug. 25, and had “secreted his pack, containing camping equipment, along the riverbank.” The deputies believed Strong may have wanted to retrieve the pack after being released from the hospital. 

A witness reported seeing Strong walking west in the Washougal River on Friday, Aug. 26, and the news release said Strong may also have been sighted walking down Washougal River Road. The witness who reported the river sighting said Strong was wearing a green pack when they saw him. 

Skamania County Search & Rescue teams along with Skamania County Diver Rescue searched the Washougal River and its banks — near the reported sighting of Strong — on Aug. 28, but did not find the missing man. 

Strong is described as 5-feet-10-inches tall, around 170 pounds, with blue eyes and strawberry-blonde hair with a beard. He was last seen wearing a large green backpack, light colored khaki shorts, a black hat and hiking boots. He may also be wearing a blue “puffy” style jacket or a bright blue zip up hoodie. According to the news release, Strong is “under the care of a physician and requires daily medication.”

Anyone with information about Strong’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office at 509-427-9490.