Flooding Preparedness

How You Can be Prepared

Flooding poses a threat to life and safety and can cause severe damage to public and private property. Below are some links you may find helpful when preparing for flooding. 

Flood Smart

River levels in Clackamas County are monitored by a network of river gauges that help us predict the when peak water levels will occur in our communities. We also work with fire districts to provide sand bag distribution locations to assist residents in protecting their homes from flooding.

Weather and Flood Forecasting Information

Damage Done by Recent Floods

Flooding events during the last 50 years have ravaged parts of Clackamas County. Just some of the results of these events include:

  • In the 1964 flood in Clackamas County, one man died when his house collapsed into Wildcat Creek.
  • In the 1964 flood, almost forty homes near the Brightwood area alone were completely destroyed with no trace of having been there.
  • In the 1964 flood, the Oregon City Shopping Center was inundated by 34.5 inches of water, with the shopping basements of JCPenney and Grants being completely submerged.
  • In the 2011 flood, nearly $4 million was needed for repairs to public infrastructure that included damages to Lolo Pass Road, the Zigzag River bridge, and county Water Environment Services wastewater facilities.
  • In the 2011 flood, at least 37 residential properties suffered significant bank erosion and face increased future erosion threats.

Documentary videos

1964 Christmas Flood Part 1: Clackamas-Willamette Confluence

1964 Christmas Flood Part 2: Sandy River

When Christmas Was Canceled - Oregon City Shopping Center

Delivering Mail During the 1964 Flood

Sandy River flood recovery contacts

Clackamas County
Land use and permits: Steve Hanschke, stevehan@clackamas.us, 503-742-4512
Emergency Management: Jay Wilson, jaywilson@clackamas.us, 503-723-4848
General information: Ellen Rogalin, ellenrog@clackamas.us, Community Relations Specialist, Department of Transportation and Development, 503-742-4274
Water Environment Services - Hoodland Sewage Treatment Plant, 24596 E. Bright Ave., Welches; 503-622-5350

Hoodland Fire District
69634 E. Highway 26, Welches
Emergency: 9-1-1
hoodland@hoodlandfire.org
Office: 503-622-3256 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week)

Sandy River Basin Watershed Council
26000 SE Stark Street, GE Building, Gresham, OR 97030 503-622-9134

US Army Corps of Engineers
Karla G. Ellis, Project Manager, Team Leader - Regulatory Branch, karla.g.ellis@usace.army.mil, 503-808-4377
Regulatory General Permit (RGP) for Sandy River Basin January 2011 Flood Response
Regulatory General Permit (RGP) Biological Opinion

Department of State Lands
Anita Huffman, anita.huffman@dsl.state.or.us, 503-986-5250
Wetlands/Waterways Removal-Fill
Wetlands/Waterways Removal-Fill Forms & Publications