Josephine County, OR

Flooding

RVEM
Flooding 6124

Flooding can occur near any stream, river or other waterway. Flooding can also occur in any low-lying areas if the amount of rainfall and runoff exceeds the capacity of the storm drain system or ditch.

TIP: Never walk in floodwaters. Six inches of water can sweep you off your feet and cause loss of control or stalling of most passenger vehicles.

Weather Terminology

Flood Watch - A watch is used when forecasters believe it is likely that hazardous weather will occur, but are still unsure about its location and/or timing. A watch is issued to give people time to prepare for the event.

Flood Warning - A warning is used when forecasters believe that hazardous weather is imminent or very likely to occur. A warning is used for conditions that would threaten lives or property.

Preparing for a Flood

  • Find out if you live in a flood zone by visiting https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home.
  • Consider purchasing flood insurance for your home. Flood damage and loss is not covered under a homeowner's policy.
  • If a flood were to occur, think about how you would keep water from getting in your home.
  • Keep a battery-operated weather radio on hand in case the power goes out.
  • Consider keeping filled sandbags on hand. Sandbags are available at most farm and home-improvement stores.

If Flooding is Imminent

  • Listen to the radio or TV, or check the internet at www.wrh.noaa.gov for watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
  • Move important items and papers to a safe place in your home, or seal them in plastic reusable bags to help protect them. These items/documents should be stored in your Grab-n-Go Binder or your Evac Box.
  • If you plan to stay in your home, check your supply of stored water and food, and other items such as flashlights, batteries and important medications. In an event like this, your 2 Weeks Ready supplies should sustain you until the threat has passed.
  • If you need to leave your home, follow your evacuation plan and take your Grab-n-Go Binder, Evac Box, Bug-Out Bag and Pet Kit, if applicable. Call 511 or visit www.tripcheck.com to verify road conditions on your evacuation route are safe for travel.

During a Flood

  • The safety of your family is the most important consideration. If you think the flood may reach your home, evacuate immediately. If time permits, turn off utilities (gas, water and electricity) at the main switch or valve.
  • Secure outdoor equipment, furniture and other moveable objects that might be swept away.
  • Do not allow children or animals to play in floodwaters. Floodwaters are often contaminated with sewage and flood-related chemical spills.
  • Listen for information from the health department about the safety of drinking water. If there is a problem with wells or public drinking water, the health department will provide instructions for boiling water before drinking it or suggest you use bottled water.
  • Never go around safety barricades set up in the road! Flood waters can conceal dangerous debris and places where roadways and bridges have been washed out.
TIP: Two feet of water can float a car! Do not drive through floodwaters!

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Josephine County
Emergency Management
500 NW 6th Street
Grants Pass, OR 97526
em@josephinecounty.gov
541-474-5300

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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/17/2025
1 0
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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/16/2025
21 1
The weekend's excessive rainfall in Southern Oregon has created widespread road-related impacts on county-maintained roads. Nearly all areas of the county road system are being impacted. Known problem areas as of 1:30PM Sunday - Lower River Road @ Hunt Lane is closed due to high water. Gene Brown Road, O'Brien, closed due to high water Pleasant Valley Road, between Merlin Road and Tavis Road, closed due to high water Upper River Road @ Ft Vannoy School, high water 7000-8000 block of North Applegate Road, near Noble Dairy, significant debris across road, proceed with caution. This is NOT an all-inclusive list, as conditions continue to change. Drivers are reminded to limit travel to essential activities and allow themselves extra time to get to their destination. Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Residents can get information on sandbag suppliers at www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq" target="_blank">https://www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq For other safety tips www.rvem.org Turn Around Don’t Drown, National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown
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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/16/2025
22 1
The weekend's excessive rainfall in Southern Oregon has created widespread road-related impacts on county-maintained roads. Nearly all areas of the county road system are being impacted. Known problem areas as of 1:30PM Sunday - Lower River Road @ Hunt Lane is closed due to high water. Gene Brown Road, O'Brien, closed due to high water Pleasant Valley Road, between Merlin Road and Tavis Road, closed due to high water Upper River Road @ Ft Vannoy School, high water 7000-8000 block of North Applegate Road, near Noble Dairy, significant debris across road, proceed with caution. This is NOT an all-inclusive list, as conditions continue to change. Drivers are reminded to limit travel to essential activities and allow themselves extra time to get to their destination. Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Residents can get information on sandbag suppliers at www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq" target="_blank">https://www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq Other information about floods and safety tips www.rvem.org Turn Around Don’t Drown, National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown
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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/16/2025
4 0
UPDATE: 2/25/25 10:00am: Wayne has been located safely. * Date of Report: 02/24/2025 Case: 25-4214 Name: Wayne David Morris Age: 76 Sex: Male Race: White Height: 5'5" Weight: 180 Hair: Gray Eyes: Blue Information: Wayne was reported missing late Monday night. He was last seen on Vine Street around 3:00pm on 2/24/25. He was driving a gray 2020 Chevrolet Silverado with OR license plate 593MMB. The OnStar app shows the vehicle's last known location to be in the Hog Creek area around 4:30pm later that day. SAR has been activated. Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office with any information. Phone: 541-474-5123
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Josephine County Emergency Management
2/25/2025
15 0
Update 02/03/2025 12:30pm: ODOT: SW Oregon: I-5 NB, MP 66: UPDATE - Crews have cleared stalled trucks in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, 8 miles north of Grants Pass. Expect continued delays throughout the area due to winter conditions. Avoid travel until conditions improve. Visibility is limited; turn on headlights. Check road conditions at https://tripcheck.com/" target="_blank">https://tripcheck.com/ . More Info ODOT: SW Oregon: I-5 NB, MP 66: Expect delays in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, 8 miles north of Grants Pass while crews work to clear stalled trucks blocking the road. Visibility is limited. Postpone travel until conditions improve. Do not detour on local or forest roads. Expect delays throughout the area due to winter conditions. Check road conditions at https://tripcheck.com/" target="_blank">https://tripcheck.com/ . More Info
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Josephine County Emergency Management
2/3/2025
13 0
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