Mysterious noise in Oregon puzzles residents

Residents of Forest Grove, Oregon are reporting a loud alarm-like sounds randomly ringing near Gales Creek Road. The noise was first heard three weeks ago.

For KOIN 6, Paula Lynch and her neighbor, who asked that her name not be used, described the sound as loud and like a warning alarm.

"It's hard to identify what angle it is coming from because it just kind of encompasses the area," she said. "We're just hoping somebody might be able to identify it so we can report it and have it stop happening." 

Both the City of Forest Grove Public Works Department and Fire Department say they don’t know where the noise is coming from, according to KOIN. "The fire department speculated the sound appeared to be some sort of air compressor, but said that crews would have to actually be in the neighborhood to identify the sound before making a determination. A spokesperson with NW Natural said there have been no reports of any problems with the gas lines in the neighborhood."

Video courtesy KOIN

KATU 2 took the recording to audio expert Tobin Cooley, who measured it with a sound level meter. He said he gets plenty of calls for mysterious sounds, but this one is by far the most baffling. "It sounds like some sort of pressurized gas or air through a fitting or valve or something. It's not steady state and you can't predict when it's going to happen. Those are all interesting sound features."

Cooley said he thinks the sound is originating near Gales Creek Road, as high-pitched tones don't travel very far.

Featured image credit: Paula Lynch