Flooding Preparedness

Flooding poses a threat to life and safety and can cause severe damage to public and private property. 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.

If you find yourself in a flood warning zone:

• Find safe shelter right away.
• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
• Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.

Resources for flood conditions

• National Weather Service
• NWS: Portland area
• NWS: River observations

How You Can Be Prepared

• Channel Migration Zone (CMZ) resources - Sandy River
• Clackamas County flood insurance — you may need flood insurance!
• Clackamas County floodplain management
• National Flood Insurance Program
• Preparing for flooding

Damage From Local Floods

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

1964	One man died when his house collapsed into Wildcat Creek. Almost forty homes near the Brightwood area alone were completely destroyed with no trace of having been there. The Oregon City Shopping Center was inundated by 34.5 inches of water, with the shopping basements of JCPenney and Grants being completely submerged.
2011	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. 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 Floo