Fern Hill Road closed due to high water; gates in place effective Jan. 24

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 24, 2020

Fern Hill Road is closed to all traffic from Taylor Way to Geiger Road due to flooding. Travelers should avoid the area or use alternate routes.

The flood gates on Fern Hill Road are locked across the road. Do not bike or walk around the gates.

Avoid travel on roads covered by water. Even a few inches of flowing water can sweep vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians off the road. Turn around, don't drown.

In February 2017, there were two confirmed cases of motorists who moved/drove around barricades on Fern Hill Road and had to be rescued. Forest Grove Fire & Rescue charged each driver $516 for the rescues. Both drivers were also fined $260 for moving/driving around barricades, which is against the law. To report someone traveling around a gate or barricade, call the Washington County Sheriff's Office nonemergency dispatch at 503-629-0111.

To request help or report a road hazard:

• Call 911 (life-threatening emergency).
• Call 503-629-0111 (after hours, non-emergency).
• Call 503-846-ROAD (503-846-7623) during business hours or email.
• Submit an online request for non-emergency road service.

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