"God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise" ✍️Captain Sean M. Sanborn We frequently see high water in Coos County. Every winter, the Winter Lakes appear in the lowlands along the Coquille Main Stream. However, every few years, we experience a real gully washer that rises higher than usual. When I was a kid growing up in Myrtle Point, I remember a flood in 1996 that nearly reached the bottom of the Spruce Street Bridge—or at least it seemed that way to me at the time. Recently, your Sheriff’s Office and the Coos County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management responded to help those in need, and we are still working toward that goal! On March 16, 2025, we experienced floodwaters the likes of which we hadn’t seen in some time. That Sunday, we received a report of a motorist stuck in the water along Old Broadbent Road. Specially trained deputies responded with boats and equipment and successfully rescued the motorist, who had to be pulled from the top of his car. During the rescue, floodwaters rose two to three feet around Sheriff’s Office vehicles, requiring them to be towed out of the water—all in less than two hours. Following that incident, we received reports of residents along Old Broadbent Road who needed evacuation. These unfortunate folks had water intruding into their homes. Once again, the Sheriff’s Office stepped in, helping those residents and even a family pet escape the floodwaters. Meanwhile, Don “Chip” Delyria, our Emergency Manager, and Emergency Coordinator Debbie Mueller staffed our Emergency Operations Center, coordinating resources for Coos County. Our Emergency Management office may be small, but it’s mighty. Chip and Debbie worked with the Oregon Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross to assess property damage and assist anyone displaced by the flooding. Chip went above and beyond, enlisting volunteers from the Myrtle Point and Coquille Churches of the Nazarene to help residents clean up flood damage in the days that followed. He even had to spend the night in our Emergency Operations Center because every route to his home was either flooded, washed away, or blocked by a landslide. Several unincorporated communities became virtual islands, accessible only by boat. In the days that followed, the Coos County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency. The state also issued a state of emergency, as nearly all of southwestern Oregon’s counties were impacted by this storm. We are currently awaiting word on whether a federal declaration will be made. Damage assessments are still underway. If your home or business was affected by this storm, please report the damage using this link: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/ed438c451ca641ff8c6063a401b52d4d This reporting helps us accurately depict the extent of the damage in our county. There’s a possibility that no-cost loans may become available at the federal level, though it’s uncertain if that will happen. If you have any questions, please reach out to our team at [email protected], and we’ll do our very best to assist you. While the phrase “God Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise” implies that we’ll follow through barring a natural disaster, I’m proud to say that even with the creek rising, your Sheriff’s Office didn’t hesitate to respond! Thank you for the support you provide our office. Stay safe out there! **Below Article Credit - Coquille Valley Sentinel**