Oregon's Mystery Noise Lures Researchers, Conspiracy Theorists

A strange, unidentified sound is haunting an Oregon town and residents are getting creeped out. The sound only happens at night, and is said to make local pets go crazy. The noise isn't only heard by unfortunate critters in the Forest Grove region, though — it is bothersome enough that it has awakened residents in the middle of the night. Some have described the sound as akin to an unbearably loud tea kettle, others as a "mechanical scream."

So far, officials are stumped. Many theories have been supplied: a leaking pressurized gas pipe (though there are no odors or signs of a gas leak), piece of unattended malfunctioning machinery, secret government testing, obnoxious ghost trains. The sound doesn't appear to have a pattern, happening at different times of the night and for differing durations seemingly without reason.

KATU News reporter Chris Liedle shared a video of the sound via a tweet:

The local fire department has looked into the noise, and while it doesn't have an explanation for it, the department has said it doesn't believe the situation poses a safety risk. The sound first cropped up in Washington County about a month ago, and has continued randomly since.

In a statement to ABC News, Forest Grove fire marshal Dave Nemeyer said: "It's definitely a horrendous noise. I have no idea what the noise is. [A resident] described to us that it was coming from the middle of the street. To me, it sounds like the sound of train tracks, that metal screeching sound, but there are no train tracks near her home ... so that's obviously ruled out."

It doesn't appear the sound is very widespread, though, with Forest Grove's public works superintendent saying that only "very few people" have heard the noise, and so it is hard for officials to pin it down and figure out a cause. The city has conducted its own sleuthing, and has so far ruled out wildlife, water valves, and a potential gas leak as causes.

Where does that leave residents?

Some have questioned whether it is an elaborate prank someone is pulling, though that prospect seems less likely as the issue rolls into its second month.

Physics professor Andrew Dawes is trying to help get to the bottom of it by creating a Google Map and posting it on the city's community Facebook page. Anyone who hears the noise is encouraged to pin where on the map they heard it, as well as leaving a note with the date and time. At this point, the pins on the map are showing a scattered pattern that further underscores the "random" nature of the noise.

Assuming all the pins on the map are accurate, the varying locations seem to rule out theories involving a whistling sewer, malfunctioning air conditioner, squealing car belt, and other speculation.

SOURCE: Oregon Live