Quick Read
- Eight landslides blocked Clackamas County roads after December 2025 flooding.
- Welches Road remains closed, with cleanup ongoing; seven other landslides have been cleared.
- Residents report severe flood damage and express concerns over clear-cut logging practices above neighborhoods.
Floods and Landslides Disrupt Clackamas County: Residents Rally to Recover
December 2025 has been anything but ordinary for the communities of Clackamas County, Oregon. Torrential rains and fierce winds swept through the region, triggering floods and a series of landslides that left families stranded and local infrastructure battered. While the National Weather Service flagged snow and wind alerts for much of Oregon, it was the flooding south of Portland that brought real hardship home for Clackamas residents.
- Flooding of the Pudding River at Aurora led to a Flood Warning for Clackamas and Marion counties, with the river peaking at 24 feet—well above its flood stage. Low-lying farmlands and access roads were submerged, complicating travel and isolating some neighborhoods (Oregon Coast Beach Connection).
- Eight landslides blocked roads across Clackamas County, with Welches Road remaining impassable days after the initial storms. County crews have cleared seven other slides, but downed trees and debris continue to make Welches Road a challenge for both residents and emergency vehicles (KPTV).
Personal Stories: Evacuations, Close Calls, and Lingering Anxiety
For locals like Mike Casley and his wife, the night of the flood was a race against time. Evacuating just after 9:30 p.m., they watched as water crept over the roadways, rising six to eight inches across Welches Road and Bridge Street. Though their home escaped damage, others weren’t as fortunate.
Nico Ziegler Accuardi, a resident on Welches Road, described water jets pouring in through the beams beneath his house, accumulating three to four feet below the floor. Power outages lasted four days, and internet service remains down. Both Casley and Ziegler Accuardi have witnessed floods before, but this event was different. The landslide redirected floodwaters into their neighborhood, amplifying the destruction and stress.
“You get the high water but you don’t get used to it. It’s still uneasy. We have been through several big ones and you get another one and it’s still not fun,” Casley reflected, a sentiment that echoes through the community.
Environmental Concerns: The Role of Clear-Cutting in Flood Risk
Beyond the immediate cleanup, residents are grappling with questions about land management. Many point to recent clear-cuts on the mountains above their homes as a contributing factor. With little erosion mitigation in place, these deforested slopes are seen as accelerants for landslides and runoff.
“The community is concerned about the clear cuts because there are residences below the clear cuts and it seems the clear cuts don’t have good erosion mitigation and they need to have that,” Casley explained. Ziegler Accuardi echoed these concerns, questioning why county officials would approve such practices with homes in harm’s way.
Recovery and Resilience: Clearing Debris and Looking Ahead
Despite setbacks, the spirit of Clackamas County remains strong. County crews have made progress, clearing most landslide-blocked roads. Welches Road is the last major obstacle, with work ongoing to remove downed trees and restore access. Residents, too, are determined to rebuild.
“We will put it back together and rebuild and we will go from there,” said Ziegler Accuardi, summing up the resolve shared by many. The process isn’t easy, but it’s fueled by a sense of community and a history of overcoming adversity.
- Floodwaters are expected to recede below flood stage, with forecasts showing the Pudding River dropping to safer levels by the new year (Oregon Coast Beach Connection).
- Ongoing weather alerts remind the region that winter’s challenges are far from over, with snow, wind, and possible further flooding still in the forecast.
Lessons from the Floods: Preparedness, Policy, and the Road Ahead
The December floods have exposed vulnerabilities—both natural and man-made—in Clackamas County’s landscape. As families rebuild, there’s a growing push for policy changes, especially regarding forestry practices and erosion control. Meanwhile, emergency preparedness remains a priority, with county officials urging residents to stay informed and ready for future events.
In the midst of uncertainty, the community’s determination to recover and improve stands out. The floodwaters may recede, but the lessons—about environment, infrastructure, and resilience—are here to stay.
Analysis: The Clackamas County floods of December 2025 have underscored the delicate balance between nature and human activity. As communities clear debris and repair homes, the call for sustainable land management and better disaster preparedness grows louder. This event is a reminder that resilience is not just about rebuilding—it’s about learning and adapting to ensure safer futures.