Deadly flooding in southwest Oregon, multiple people rescued from high water
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Heavy rain brought deadly flooding, landslides and power outages to southwest Oregon on March 16, prompting numerous rescues.
Douglas, Coos, Lane and Jackson counties were also severely impacted by the storm. County officials across the region will consider issuing disaster declarations this week to free up funding for the extensive damages caused by the floods.
One woman in Jackson County is dead after a tragic drowning accident in Central Point on Sunday. Flooding has since subsided from much of the region. However, local government agencies are still totaling the damages from the storm.
Oregon woman drowns in weekend flooding
In Douglas County, the city of Drain was completely swamped by the rush of water on Sunday. Heavy flooding was also observed in Roseburg.
'Emergency responders have been responding to a surge in flood-related emergencies alongside their regular calls for service,' the Douglas County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday.
Multiple roads remain closed in Coos County on Monday due to slides, washouts and heavy flood debris. Coos County Sheriff's Office Criminal Division Commander Sean Sanborn told KOIN 6 News that flooding in the Coos and Coquille River watersheds prompted 10 water rescues.
'On March 16, 2025, five (people) were rescued from the Old Broadbent Road area of Myrtle Point due to flooding,' Sanborn said. 'One person was trapped in a car and the Sheriff's Office was assisted in recovering that person alive by the North Bend Sector Coast Guard Air Crew. Four other persons and a dog were helped from their homes as they had water intrusion into the homes. That was done by Deputies using Marine equipment to include boats and jet skis.'
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The Lane County Sheriff's Office also made multiple rescues during the stormy weekend.
'On March 16, Marine Patrol deputies assisted the Cottage Grove Fire Department with a subject who was stranded by floodwaters,' the Lane County Sheriff's Office said. 'The same day, deputies and a search and rescue volunteer assisted motorists unable to leave the Castle Rock area south of Cottage Grove due to fallen trees.'
KOIN 6 Meteorologist Steve Pierce said that the weekend flooding was a direct result of heavy rain that hit the region throughout the weekend.
'Between Friday and Sunday night, Eugene picked up nearly 4 inches of rainfall from an atmospheric river that set up over the area this past weekend,' Pierce said. 'Some areas in the Coast Range of Southern Oregon received as much as 5 inches of rainfall over the weekend. The system has mostly moved off to the southeast.'
Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement on Sunday in response to the floods. However, the governor has not said if she will declare a state of emergency in response to the disaster.
'Please keep your fellow Oregonians in your thoughts and prayers as six counties and three Tribal nations in Southern Oregon face flooding brought by heavy rains,' Kotek said. 'Many thanks to local and state emergency management teams for their efforts.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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