Benton County, Oregon

Making Benton County a Better Place to Live

Benton County Sheriff's Office – Road Emergency Preparedness

Are You Prepared for Emergencies on the Road?

Do you or a family member commute to work every day from Wren, Monmouth, Lebanon, Alsea, Eugene, or even further away? Are you or your children avid skiers, snowboarders, or snowmobilers? Are you an emergency responder or critical services worker – expected to be equipped and able to respond to work in a disaster? Are your children away at school with their own car or commuting to Eugene, Salem, Portland, Corvallis for classes?

If so, each of your automobiles needs to be properly equipped for emergencies.

Automobile Emergency Kit

Gift Idea: What better way to say "I care about you!" than to give someone an automobile safety/emergency kit? Every car should be equipped with an emergency kit and some basic supplies you can rely upon in the event of a mechanical failure, weather emergency, or even operator error (empty gas tank). And, if you're a hiker, snowmobiler, cross-country skier, horseback rider, etc., it's not a bad idea to also carry an empty backpack along with your auto emergency kit. Before you set out, transfer appropriate supplies from your auto emergency kit into your backpack, then return them to the main kit when you come back to the car. This is particularly true during inclement weather when cold, wet and poor visibility conditions can make an inconvenience a serious situation.

Following are some recommended items to include:

  • Maps
  • Compass
  • Gloves
  • Sturdy Shoes/Socks
  • Water and Food
  • First Aid Kit
  • Necessary Medications
  • Flares
  • Flashlight and Extra Batteries
  • Blankets/"Space Blankets"
  • Rain Gear & Extra Clothing
  • Battery-Powered Radio and Extra Batteries
  • ABC-type Fire Extinguisher
  • Light Sticks, Matches/Candles
  • Shovel
  • Booster Cables
  • Chains/Traction Mats
  • Hand Warmers

Other good suggestions include: kitty litter for ballast and traction should your vehicle get stuck, spare fuses, extra batteries for the cell phone, books/travel games (for passing the time as you wait in traffic or for help to arrive, and any job-specific supplies that you might need if you had to report to work in an emergency.

You may need to adjust your vehicle headlights if you are significantly changing the load distribution. Improperly adjusted headlights are a serious safety hazard for other drivers, particularly in inclement weather.

Before you travel: make sure your Automobile Emergency Kit is stocked and complete, let someone know where you're headed and what route you'll take, and check road and weather conditions before you leave.

For more information, contact Benton County Emergency Management, 541-766-6864 or stop by our office at 553 NW Monroe, Corvallis, across from Central Park and the Corvallis/Benton County Public Library.

Road/Weather Information Road

Here are some weather information resources listed by area.

  • Mary's Peak - 541-750-7000 (weekdays, 8:00-4:30 p.m., after-hours recording). No snow park permits are required this year on Mary's Peak. Northwest Forest Passes are required for parking. Contact Siuslaw National Forest for details.
  • Oregon State Highways - Department of Transportation/State Police Road Condition Information, November 1-April 30, in-state callers: 800-977-6368, out-of-state callers: 503-588-2941 (24-hour recorded message).
  • Benton/Lincoln/Lane County State Highways - during local emergency conditions - call 541-757-4211 (weekdays 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and with extended hours during emergency conditions).
  • Benton County Road Closures/Conditions - Benton County Public Works, 541-766-6821 (weekdays, 8:00 a.m.–5 p.m.) or see Corvallis television cable access channel 99.
  • City of Corvallis Road Closures/Conditions - City of Corvallis Public Works, 541-754-1772 (24-hour recorded message), 541-754-1771 for snow and ice conditions.
  • Linn County Road and Weather - Linn County Road Department, 541-967-3919 (weekdays 7-5 pm) or 541-812-8800 after hours. For Linn County road conditions on the web, visit: www.co.linn.or.us/roads/roads.htm
  • City of Albany Road Closures/Conditions - Albany Public Works, 541-917-7600 (weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m.), or 541-967-2394 after hours.
  • Lane County Road and Weather - Lane County Public Works, 541-682-6900 (weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m., hours extended during extreme conditions).
  • Polk County Road and Weather - Polk County Public Works, 503-623-9287 (weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m.).
  • Weather Forecasts - National Weather Service, Weather Forecasts and River Projections 503-261-9246.

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