Josephine County experiences severe flooding and storm damage

Heavy rain from an atmospheric river hit Josephine County over the weekend, causing significant flooding and damage. Roads were closed, and emergency rescues were launched as rivers and creeks overflowed. The storm started early Saturday, leading to wet and dangerous driving conditions. By 7:30 a.m., strong winds knocked down trees and power lines. By noon, floodwaters surged into communities like Fort Vannoy, Merlin, Galice, and Wolf Creek. Rural Metro Fire and Grants Pass Fire responded to multiple rescue calls. One significant rescue took place when a vehicle became stranded on Upper River Road. While rescuers worked, a levee near Fort Vannoy Elementary School failed, allowing more water to enter the unoccupied building. Firefighters quickly placed sandbags to reduce damage. As the day went on, emergency calls increased from people stranded in the Merlin area. Crews conducted welfare checks and evacuations on several roads, assisting residents to safety or advising them to shelter in place. By Sunday afternoon, nearly all county roads were affected by flooding, with landslides and road washouts reported. A spokesperson noted that this flooding was similar to the severe floods of January 1997. Although water levels began to recede, rivers and streams remained high, and officials warned residents to stay cautious while damage assessments began. Thankfully, no major injuries have been reported.