For Immediate Release 1/19/12
1 p.m. Status Update:
For residents in affected flood areas, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office is strongly advising people to evacuate now during daylight hours, or prepare to shelter in place. After dark, the Sheriff’s Office will only be responding to emergencies. Community members with threats to health or life safety should call 911.
Please prepare. If safe to do so, check on neighbors who are elderly, who have special needs, or young adults who may be home alone.
Residents should still continue to use caution, watch for rising water, and other hazards such downed limbs, mud and rock slides, surface water. Please drive slowly and avoid any high water locations on roadways.
Mapleton Area: The Siuslaw River continues to rise to near-record flood levels. Mapleton residents have been encouraged to evacuate from flooded areas. The Florence Events Center is open and available for community members.
Currently Highway 126 at Cushman is closed. There is no alternate route.
Mohawk Valley Area: The Marcola flooding area has expanded to mile post 14 to the north and south to Old Mohawk Road. The expanded flood site includes the entire town of Marcola, Parsons Creek, and Old Mohawk Road. Forecasters expect the Mohawk River to crest at 9 p.m., this evening. This means the river will raise another 3.5 feet based on National Weather Service river predictions. For Marcola area residents, the Briggs Middle School, located at 2355 Yolanda Street in Springfield, will be open at 4 p.m. today.
Noti, Poodle Creek, 126 Corridor from Badger Mountain east toward Veneta: Highway 126 at mile post 36.5 is currently closed due to a mudslide. Residents in remote areas down by creeks should assess and evacuate as its anticipated areas will be impacted by an additional 1-2 feet of water. Cresting will probably not occur until after dark. For Veneta residents: The Community Center at 25192 E. Broadway in Veneta (behind the City’s community pool), will be open at 2 p.m. today as a shelter site.
Sand and Bags
Several locations are being made available for community members to get free sand and bags to safeguard their property. Through collaborative efforts of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Springfield, South Lane Fire District, and Home Depot, community members may collect free sand and bags at one of the following locations:
· Home Depot on Green Acres Road, Eugene. (Home Depot employees are assisting at this location).
· City of Springfield at 201 S. 18th
· Lane County Public Works shop located on 25398 Jeans Road, Veneta
· 233 Harrison Ave., Cottage Grove
County Road Closures in Effect
N. Fork Siuslaw Road @ MP 6.0 – high water – no detours available
Nelson Mountain Road between MP 0.08 and MP 0.32 – high water
Stagecoach Road at MP2.9 – high water
Vaughn Road @ MP 4.0 – Slide
Deadwood Creek Road @ MP 3.0 – high water
Nelson Mountain Road @ MP 9.4 – Slide
Deadwood Creek Road @ MP 1.0 – high water
Warthen Road & Knight Road – 8” water
Poodle Creek Road & Highway 126 – 18” water across Poodle Creek Road
Indian Creek Road @ MP 6.1 – Slide
Siuslaw Road @ MP 3.0 – high water
Sunderman Road between MP 1.6 (Tree Farm Road) and MP 2.25 (Goats Road) – high water
Little Lake Road between MP 0.1 and MP 0.3 – high water
Thompson Creek Road @ MP 3.4 – Slide
Sweet Creek Road @ MP 4.5 – 3’ moving water
Information on flooding and how to prepare can be found at www.lanecounty.org under “Flooding-Emergency Management” link under the current issues tab.
Regular status updates will be made available on the County website under the News & Information section. You can also follow updates on Facebook at Lane County Sheriff and Lane County Government.