Ashland, Ore — A furious storm is wreaking havoc across the west. In Southern Oregon it’s created rushing rivers out of creeks, lakes on roadways and even left cars split in half by giant trees.
Ashland resident Debra Neisewander says she’s in good spirits even after a giant tree crushed her car this morning.
The frightening crash happened in the middle of the night and nearly trapped her in her home.
“I woke up to the crash on the roof and my bed covered in plaster,” said Neisewander.
Neisewander’s tree came down as heavy rains and blustery winds wreaked havoc on Southwest Oregon.
When the ground is super saturated and then with the wind, that’s when you get the trees coming down,” said Gary Leaming.
Leaming, with the Oregon Department of Transportation, says his crews are on high alert.
“The amount of water coming into Southwest Oregon, creeks near the roadways, we’re keeping an eye on it,” said Leaming.
Elsewhere in Ashland the Community Emergency Response Team is preparing sandbags to stop rapidly rising waters.
“These bags are available to the public, citizens of ashland who may need to block some water going into their garage, that was one of the stories i heard earlier today,” said Margueritte Hickman with Ashland Fire & Rescue.
Many are being put to use near clay creek where the rising waters are already threatening homes. Local residents surveying the damage and preparing for what’s to come.
The winds lately have just been really aggressive, mother nature obviously has something to say.
With so much water on the roadways already and more rain expected this weekend, ODOT advises drivers to be extra careful on the roads. If you aren’t sure how deep water on a road is, do not attempt to drive through it.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.