JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OR— Authorities are urging residents to avoid entering the Rogue River due to dangerous high water conditions. Rural Metro Fire (RMF) and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office issued the warning following the current flood risks posed by the river’s swollen levels.
Despite the warning, officials note that the practice of entering the river during high water is common in the area. As of 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, emergency crews are actively searching for an individual seen floating on a pallet drifting rapidly downstream. The sighting occurred below the 4500 block of Riverbanks Road, prompting immediate action.
Rural Metro Fire emphasizes that even for experienced swimmers or boaters, attempting to navigate the river’s flood conditions is extremely hazardous. RMF cautions that such activities often result in emergency calls that require significant resources to respond and assess the situation.
Local authorities are continuing their search and urge everyone to respect safety warnings, as the risk of strong currents and fast-moving water increases during high-water events.
