State Geologists Urge Local Residents to Be Alert for Landslides Across SW Oregon
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for portions of Josephine, eastern Curry and Del Norte counties for today. The watch is in effect through this afternoon.
Heavy rain may result in landslides in areas of steep terrain as well as debris flows in and near burned areas from recent wildfires including the Smith River Complex.
Debris flows are rapidly moving, extremely destructive landslides. They can contain boulders and logs transported in a fast-moving soil and water slurry down steep hillsides and through narrow canyons. They can easily travel a mile or more. A debris flow moves faster than a person can run.
People, structures and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be at serious risk. This includes the area from the southern Illinois Valley south to Gasquet, California, including US Highway 199.
If your home, work or route is in a Fast Flood Watch area, stay alert, track the watch through media or online and if told to evacuate, do so immediately.
Watch the water. If water in a stream or creek suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream.
Travel with extreme caution in watch areas. Assume roads are not safe. Be alert when driving especially at night. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road or highway.
Posted on 11/4/23 5:13AM by Sam Marsh
