Rumbling storm soaks county, cuts power

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June 13, 2009

By Chris Conrad

Mail Tribune

A slow-moving storm that descended Friday on the Rogue Valley caused minor flooding throughout Jackson County and damaged at least one home when lightning struck the attic, officials said.

The storm brewed throughout the day in the mountains and hills around Southern Oregon before creeping down the higher elevations, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Brett Lutz.

"There was heavy rain in the mountains that increased as the storm meandered toward the area," Lutz said.

Lutz said the valley can expect similar weather today, as the low pressure system that sparked the storm will linger through the weekend.

"The flash flood and lightning threat remains active," he said.

More than 40,000 homes and businesses in Central Point and parts of Medford briefly lost power during the storm.

Strong winds and a burst of heavy rain pounded every city in the county, leaving roads flooded and trees crashing onto roads, said Jackson County sheriff's Sgt. Nathan Sickler.

"Things were crazy there for a while," Sickler said.

Culverts along East Pine Street in Central Point overflowed and temporarily closed intersections in downtown.

Around 400 lightning strikes were reported throughout the valley. One of them hit a house at 3737 Willow Springs Road in northern Central Point.

The house sustained fire damage to the attic before Jackson County Fire District 3 crews arrive to douse the flames.

No one was injured in the strike, officials said.

Drivers reported mud and water flowing onto the road from the orchards outside Talent and Phoenix. Quarter-inch hail was seen falling just outside of Talent, Lutz said.

"There was so much water so fast the culverts couldn't handle it," Sickler said. "There was not major damage to homes and we didn't receive any reports of serious car accidents. For the most part people were smart and did not drive in the bad weather."

Pacific Power reported an outage in 40,000 homes in Central Point in northeast Medford, including the Rogue Valley Mall.

The homes and businesses were darkened at 7:03 p.m. and power was restored around 17 minutes later after power crews fixed a downed transmission line, said Pacific Power spokesman Monte Mendenhall.

Around 30 homes in the Gold Hill area were without power at press time. Mendenhall said crews would be working late into the evening to restore power to those residences.

Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471; or e-mail cconrad@mailtribune.com.

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