Josephine County, OR

Utility Failure

RVEM
Utility Failure 3690

Are You Prepared for a Power Outage?

Before the power goes out:

✓ Locate your main electrical panel or fuse box (it's usually on an interior wall near your electric meter).
✓ If your residence has a fuse box, maintain a supply of spare fuses of the correct amperage.
✓ Always keep a working flashlight available with extra batteries of the correct size and type.

When the power goes out:

✓ Check your fuse or breaker box for blown fuses or tripped circuits. If they are OK, see if neighbors have power.
✓ Call your utility company to report the outage. You may be asked for information or hear a recorded message that the outage in your area has already been reported.
✓ Turn off all electrical equipment (water heater, furnace, heaters, stove, TV, etc.) to prevent overloading the system when the power comes back on.
✓ Turn on a porch light and one light inside your home so you and the utility crew will know when power has been restored.
✓ Listen to the radio for updates on a battery powered radio.

Household Tips

✓ Your freezer may help keep food frozen during a power outage. Keep the door closed and cover it with blankets to help insulate it. When the power is restored, check the food and throw out anything that has spoiled.
✓ Automatic garage doors and gates won't open if the power goes out. Check to see if you have a manual override and learn how to use it.
✓ Never cook inside using charcoal or camping stoves; they can produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. Cook outside in a sheltered area.
✓ Never connect a home generator to a wall outlet. If used improperly, it can ruin your electrical system, start a fire and back-feed the system. Choose important appliances to plug into a generator and run it as needed.

If you see sparks or broken/frayed wires or if you smell hot insulation, shut off your electricity immediately.
► For a circuit breaker panel, shut off the electricity by turning all circuit breaker switches to the "off'' position.
► Use a wooden stick/dowel to turn off circuit breakers.
► Fora fuse box, pull out the two main fuses (cartridges).
TIP: Each person should have their own flashlight or headlamp. Store extra bulbs and batteries. You can purchase flashlights that you wind or shake rather than using batteries. Candles can be dangerous! It is best not to use candles for emergency lighting.

 

Natural GasGas Turnoff Infographic

Any odor of natural gas inside your home might indicate a leak. If you smell natural gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open the window and quickly leave the building. Turn off your gas at the meter as soon as possible.

To turn gas off:

  1. Locate the shut-off valve.
  2. Use a crescent wrench and turn the rectangular knob one-quarter turn clockwise to the horizontal position.
  3. Call your gas company from somewhere other than your home.
  4. If you turn off the gas for any reason, service should only be restored by a professional!
If you suspect a gas leak:
If you smell natural gas, get everyone away from the home immediately! Don't use your telephone. This includes cellular phones and all types of portable communications and electronic devices that have a battery. These can spark and create a source of ignition! Don't use matches, lighters or open-flame appliances and don't operate electrical switches.

Water Main

Earthquakes, winter storms and freezing weather can not only disrupt power, but they can also rupture water pipes causing flooding if not turned off quickly. Find the location of your home's water shut-off value:
► There is a shut-off valve at the water meter, but there may also be one closer to your house.
► Some common places to look for your master shut-off valve are:

► In the crawl space or basement where the water line enters the house.
► In the garage where the water line enters the wall or ceiling, near the water heater or by the clothes washer hookup.
► Outside near the foundation of your home, possibly protected by a concrete or clay pipe ring.

TIP: If you don't find a hand-operated master shut-off valve, have one installed on the house side of the meter. It may come in handy!

Water Meter Shutoff Infographic

Documents to download

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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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