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Storm slaps region around Photo by Jim Craven Jessica Cutteridge, 11, checks the mail near her house on Lewis Avenue in Medford Thursday. The street floods every year when heavy rains overwhelm culverts. Trees topple, streets flood in heavy rain By BILL VARBLE The winter storm that blasted Southern Oregon Thursday is expected to linger today. But even as it subsides, another storm is coming in its wake. "It appears the heaviest is supposed to cut off," said meteorologist Mike O'Brien of the U.S. Weather Service. Medford had 1.06 inches of rain at the airport in the 12 hours ending at 4 p.m. Thursday. The storm closed roads and bridges and snarled traffic around Southern Oregon. Utility crews hustled to repair downed power lines that disrupted service from Wimer to Wolf Creek, courtesy of snow-encrusted trees. Today's forecast calls for showers and mild temperatures through the day. "We don't see any cold air coming, but Mount Ashland should be seeing some good snow," meteorologist Frederic Bunnag said late Thursday. He said some places received much more rain than the official measurement at the airport. "At my house in Ashland I picked up an inch-and-a-quarter," he said. "One site on Highway 99 near Ashland got 1.6 inches." Weather service spokesman Larry Jacobs said outlying areas could total two to four inches of rain Thursday, including the Oregon Coast. Photo by Bob Pennell Pacific Power crews repair lines along the Rogue River Highway across the bridge from the city of Rogue River. Downed lines closed the bridge and caused power outages in the city. Heavy snow was reported south of Jacksonville, and Highway 199 was closed for a time. Mount Ashland canceled night skiing Thursday because a blizzard was expected to develop overnight. Winds of up to 45 mph on the mountain also caused cancellation of an after-school ski program for Ashland Middle School students. Interstate 5 south of Ashland was closed for a time to double-axle trucks and any towing from mileposts 1 to 11 in both directions. Snow advisories for the Cascades and Siskiyous for Thursday night remained in effect, with six to 11 inches of snow expected Thursday night. The Josephine County Sheriff's Office reported heavy snow in higher elevations, including Hayes Hill. There was some flooding on roads along creeks in various drainages, and several car accidents were reported. Scattered power outages were reported throughout Jackson and Josephine counties, including a double-whammy in Rogue River that knocked out power to 2,500 customers when trees went through transmission lines on both sides of the substation. Near Medford, roughly 1,300 customers in the Griffin Creek area lost power for about 45 minutes Thursday morning. Pacific Power spokeswoman Claudia Steinbroner said the cause of that outage was not known. "I imagine it's weather-related," she said. "It's some tree somewhere." The National Weather Service Thursday issued a flood watch for Jackson and Josephine County creeks and streams, although Bunnag said he was leaning toward canceling that late Thursday afternoon. The lower Coquille River was expected to flood late Thursday and Friday, with the north and south forks getting some flooding Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. "The Illinois and the Rogue near Agness are going to get a little high," O'Brien said. "You wouldn't want to be rafting the Illinois or park your RV on the gravel bar." As the system wanes, another is expected by Saturday. "This one didn't look that strong out in the ocean," O'Brien said. "But neither did the last one. My guess is once it approaches the coast it'll intensify it and be like this one." More showers likely today, rain Saturday The National Weather Service is forecasting showers today, with a return to rain Saturday. The freezing level is expected to rise to 5,000 feet, then lower to 4,500 later today. Highs should be 42 to 52, and lows 34-44. Here are other sources of information for travelers and for information on power outages: Road conditions: call 1-800-977-6368, or visit the Oregon State Police Web site at www.odot.state.or.us/travel/ Weather cams: Photographs of conditions on Interstate 5 at the Siskiyou Summit, Lake of the Woods, Ski Ashland and Mt. Shasta Ski Park are available at the Mail Tribune's Web site, www.mailtribune.com . There are also road reports and forecasts. Power outages: For information on power outages or to report an outage, call Pacific Power toll-free at 1-888-221-7070. Weather information: Call the National Weather Service at 779-5990. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA