Driver follows Google Maps down closed, flooded road

A woman driving in Forest Grove, Ore., ended up stuck in waist-deep water after following Google Maps down a road closed due to flooding.

Forest Grove Fire and Rescue responded to Southwest Fernhill Road, between Highway 47 and Geiger Road, on Monday morning.

Firefighters said the road was clearly marked as closed with signs, but the 46-year-old woman continued driving as far as she could on it, roughly a quarter of a mile past the barricade.

The car eventually got stuck in the water, and the current pushed it into a ditch.

Firefighters said a Northwest Natural Gas crew spotted her, called 911 and helped get her to safety. Police took her to a nearby restaurant and waited with her until she could get a ride.

“It happens every year,” said Forest Grove resident Debbie Decarlo. “It floods once, twice, three times, and somebody always tries [to cross] it.”

The car remained stuck Monday evening.

Roughly half a mile of SW Fernhill Road has been washed out since late Saturday or early Sunday. While it appears waters are starting to slowly recede, it will still take a while for the road to reopen.