Water, water everywhere
The rain continued to fall and the snow continued to melt Thursday morning and residents of the West Valley woke up to find "High Water" signs all over local roads.
Water is crossing Highway 18B in several spots between Sheridan and Willamina and even higher water is over the roadway of some side streets. About a foot of water was moving quickly across Rock Creek Road just north of Three Deer Lane. Approximately 18 inches of water filled the lowest point of Blair Loop Road in Northwest Sheridan. Actually, much of the Northwest corner of Sheridan is underwater, at least the streets.
 City of Sheridan crews were busy clearing drains and a culverts. They had the backhoe out to do some heavier work on South Bridge Street.
In Willamina, the creek had jumped its banks at the bottom of Oaken Hills and standing water was creeping out onto Main Street.
Reports also came in that water was running across Rowell Creek Road in Grand Ronde and also crossing the road at Fort Hill and Tenbush.
Sheridan City Manager Frank Sheridan said, "Public Works had a man here overnight checking the area. He noted that the water came up fast this time. There was no standing water at 11 pm or at 5 am. By 7 am we had ponding and drainage problems. Hopefully, the rain has slackened for awhile and the drains will have a chance to empty."
The pallets of filled sandbags are being moved to LIBERTY HOMES on Sheridan Road because the area near the City Park already has high water. There is also sand at the Liberty Home Parking Lot to fill your own bags. The Sheridan Fire District is looking for volunteers to place sandbags for elderly and those in need of physical assistance. Public Works and City Hall are taking those requests and passing them Fire District.
Just heard reports of a lot of water over Gopher Valley Road. A driver said he drove through a foot and a half of water down lower, but was told once the road turns to gravel there's at least three feet of water over the roadway. He also reported that there's a lot of water at Muddy Valley and Latham roads.
The underpass on Highway 18 is closed at mile post 44 in McMinnville.
To stay up to date on road closures travelers should refer to ODOT’s Tripcheck service — www.tripcheck.com or by dialing 511.
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