In the small town of Shady Cove, nestled along the banks of the Rogue River, residents had grown accustomed to the clear, rushing waters that flowed through their community. But recently, that sense of security was shattered by a prolonged water shortage that left many households scrambling for basic necessities.
As the situation became more dire, RV COAD—Rogue Valley Community Organizations Active in Disaster—stepped in to help, activating a network of member agencies to deliver aid where it was needed most. With urgency and coordination, a response team was formed, including the Jackson County Long Term Recovery Group (JCC LTRG), ACCESS, Rogue Food Unites, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart. Their mission: to provide essential emergency supplies and ensure no family was left without water.
Within hours, pallets of emergency drinking water began arriving at Jackson County Fire District 4 Station. ACCESS, Rogue Food Unites, and Lowe’s worked tirelessly to get the water delivered, unloading cases and stacking them high in the station’s yard. At the same time, The Home Depot generously donated 100 buckets and lids for water storage, and Walmart sent cases of hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes—crucial items as families struggled to maintain basic hygiene.
Community members came to the Fire District 4 headquarters at 21200 Highway 62, where volunteers directed the distribution efforts. Residents arrived with empty containers, grateful for the chance to fill them with the precious water that had become a lifeline. Day after day, the station bustled with activity, as townspeople lined up from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., picking up bottled and bulk drinking water to carry home.
Meanwhile, the local water service provider, NW Natural Water Co., worked around the clock to restore the town’s water supply. By Thursday evening, a glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon, as the company announced its intent to have water service restored to all customers by mid-day Friday. Yet, until the taps ran freely again, RV COAD and its partners remained committed to meeting the needs of Shady Cove, prepared to extend their support as long as necessary.
In a town where neighbors had always relied on one another, the water crisis only deepened that bond. The response from RV COAD and the swift coordination of member agencies underscored the power of community resilience and the importance of being prepared for emergencies. As the sun set each evening, casting a golden light over the hills, there was a quiet determination among the volunteers and residents—a shared belief that together, they would see this crisis through.
For more information about RV COAD and ways to support efforts like this in the future, visit www.rvcoad.org.
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