As flood warnings continue in parts of Southwest Oregon, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management has activated a Level 3 regional emergency response. Heavy rains brought widespread flooding over the weekend, and the threat of additional flood damage remains, especially for areas with steep terrain.
A section of Highway 138 East in Douglas County is covered in mud and downed tree branches as floodwaters covered a portion of the road on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Courtesy of ODOT
At least 40 people have been brought to safety as a result of rescue efforts, and one woman has died. Rain could bring more flooding through Wednesday.
In a press release, the Department of Emergency Management said heavy rains from over the weekend caused several small streams, creeks and rivers across Southwest Oregon to flood. As a result, many saw areas with roadways damaged by landslides and rockfalls.
Patence Winningham, the deputy director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, said the Level 3 activation allows the agency to work closely with local, tribal and state partners to monitor the impacts of the flooding. It also allows them to facilitate information-sharing and help fulfill resource requests from local governments impacted by the severe weather.
“Unfortunately, it’s only Tuesday and we’re still waiting for some of the waters to recede and some folks to return home,” Winningham said. “We don’t have a real finite number of total damages as it relates to infrastructure for homes and businesses but we are starting to dial in what the transportation routes are that have been compromised.”
Winningham said ODOT officials have already estimated about $10 million in damage to the state’s roadways.
She said that number will likely go up, as it does not include damage to county, city or local roads.
“We’re migrating to short-term recovery, so now that the water is receding, people are returning to their homes,” Winningham said. “Our areas of focus are really how many homes [are impacted], how many businesses, what do the roads look like but we’re beholden to water receding before we can really take action and also we must wait until the counties ask for our assistance.”
In Coos County, traffic officials closed multiple roads as floodwaters caused severe damage, including a sinkhole reported on Monday at Seven Devils Road near the south end of Highway 101.
Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that floodwaters pulled a woman into a nearby creek as she was attempting to clear branches from a culvert under her driveway in Central Point. First responders attempted to save her life, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Meanwhile, in Douglas County, officials with Central Douglas Fire and Rescue said the flooding caused an increased number of calls for service across the county. The emergency response included water-related rescues, home evacuations, freeing people who were trapped, and providing aid to nearby safety agencies.
According to a press release, 32 adults, 8 children, and 15 pets were brought to safety in Douglas County alone.
“We were aware this event was likely to occur and prepared accordingly so service delivery would not be affected,” Battalion Chief Ryan Felker said in a statement.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency Sunday for the entire county due to the severe weather.
The National Weather Service extended its flood warning for the Coquille River at Coquille in Coos County. The warning, which is now in effect until late Thursday morning, warns that low-lying homes and roads along or near the Coquille River could see impacts.
The National Weather Service also extended a flood warning through Wednesday morning for the Rogue River near Agnes, affecting parts of Curry County. Forecasters said rain is expected throughout the week for most of western Oregon.
