Weather service says urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected
Update: Urban area and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected in areas of Jackson, Josephine, Douglas and Curry counties in Oregon and Siskiyou County in California through 7 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, according to a flood warning issued by the Medford office of the National Weather Service at 9:25 p.m. Saturday.
Flooding of rivers, creeks , streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring, according to the bulletin, which says streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall.
From .5 to 1.5 inches has already fallen in the warning area, the release says, with an additional amount of 2 to 5 inches possible. Areas that can expect to experience flooding include Grants Pass, Roseburg, Cave Junction, Port Orford, Coos Bay, Bandon and Canyonville.
Original story:
By James Sloan, Rogue Valley Times
The National Weather Service in Medford is advising residents of potential flooding conditions in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
A flood watch advisory issued Friday afternoon, after a flood advisory was first issued Wednesday, warns residents in Jackson, Josephine, Douglas and Coos counties in southwestern Oregon, and Siskiyou County, California, of significant rises on rivers and streams due to moderate to heavy rain expected through the weekend.
The flood watch remains in effect through Sunday afternoon, Dec. 29.
For flood advisories, “They’re issued based on our radar and rainfall rates,” said Joe Guerrero, lead meteorologist for NWS in Medford.
According to the weather service, a series of wet frontal systems will produce periods of moderate to heavy rain through the weekend, especially Saturday, Dec. 28.
Precipitation totals Friday night through Sunday, Dec. 29, could reach up to 3 inches in west side valleys, with 3 to 6 inches of rain possible in the mountains and along the coast. The Oregon Coast already is under a high surf warning.
Additionally, NWS-Medford issued a wind advisory in Jackson County and the surrounding region from 10 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday with southwest winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts of 50 to 70 mph forecast.
When asked about the flooding potential and how it compares to the 1997 New Year’s Day flooding in and around Ashland, “I wouldn’t compare anything with that,” Guerrero said, adding residents should still be mindful of potential flooding.
“A good thing for the public to remember is to take the warnings seriously and never drive through standing water; turn around, don’t drown,” Guerrero said. “It doesn’t take much water to move a car; 6 inches of water can move an SUV.
“Flooding kills a lot of people every year, more people than tornadoes do,” he added.
According to NWS-Medford, this year’s water year has yielded more rain than the average, and much more than last year’s quantity.
“Since Oct. 21 there’s been 8.64 inches of rain in Medford; for this time period, the normal amount is 6.73 inches, which is 1.91 inches above normal,” Guerrero said. “Compared to last year’s 4.99 inches, it’s over 3 inches.”
The weather service will continue checking its radar and weather gauges scattered throughout Jackson County and warning people of any flash flooding, heavy winds or weather events.
“We want folks to be safe,” Guerrero said.
A flood watch specifically for the South Fork Coquille River at Myrtle Point was issued just after 7 p.m. Friday by NWS-Medford. Minor flooding due to excessive rainfall is possible, according to the advisory, which said the river was at 31.5 feet. At 32 feet, numerous areas of farmland become flooded. At 33 feet, the South Fork Coquille River is at flood stage, a level that may be reached Sunday morning through Monday afternoon, NWS-Medford forecast.
To check for updates from NWS-Medford, visit weather.gov/mfr.
Reach reporter James Sloan at jsloan@rv-times.com. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times. Portions have been updated by Ashland.news.
