Heavy rain is relentlessly pounding Oregon and Southwest Washington, leading to flood watches and numerous road closures. As of December 19, 2025, the National Weather Service has warned that areas along the Sandy and Clackamas rivers may experience dangerously rising water levels.
On Friday morning, residents at the Carver Mobile Home Ranch park in Clackamas County witnessed water swirling ominously around their garage doors and even creeping up to bedroom windows. This alarming scene was not isolated; many homes in the park were partially submerged due to relentless rainfall, which caused the Clackamas River and other waterways to overflow and inundate regions southeast of Portland. Officials reported that as of Friday morning, around 300 households in Clackamas County are currently under evacuation orders, with more residents living near the river being advised to prepare for potential evacuations.
The situation is exacerbated by an ongoing flood warning that covers extensive areas in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, attributed to heavy rainfall from a significant atmospheric river impacting the region.
Meteorologist Sebastian Westerink from the National Weather Service in Portland elaborated on the situation, stating, "In the last 24 hours, we’ve recorded three to four inches of rain, with some locations southeast of Estacada experiencing even greater amounts. These figures are undoubtedly contributing to the swift rise of the river."
Curtis Gillette, a lifelong resident of the Damascus area, expressed his concern while visiting the site where the Clackamas River had flooded nearby homes at the Carver Mobile Home Ranch park. “I feel tragic for the people that are dealing with it,” Gillette shared. “They are in urgent need right now to keep themselves and their belongings safe.” He noted that the river had overflowed its banks, with water levels reaching unprecedented heights in the area. After assessing the mobile home park, Gillette intended to check on a friend who lives on higher ground nearby.
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The rising waters are also leading to the closure of lanes on major highways, including U.S. 101 and Oregon 6 along the coast, as well as critical routes connecting to the Willamette Valley, such as U.S. 20. In addition, winter weather warnings are active for the Cascade mountain passes, with predictions of up to a foot of snow in some regions.
The combination of flood alerts and snow advisories should prompt travelers to consult the National Weather Service and state traffic cameras before embarking on any holiday journeys.
According to the National Weather Service, lesser-populated areas within Clackamas County are particularly vulnerable as of Friday, especially near the Sandy River close to Bull Run and regions adjacent to the Clackamas River. Flooding along the Sandy River could also impact eastern Multnomah County near Troutdale.
Evacuation notices are currently in effect for areas along the Clackamas River, with particular emphasis on low-lying neighborhoods from Interstate 205 extending to Milo McIver State Park. These areas have been classified as Level 2, meaning residents should be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
The regional flood watch encompasses a broad area, with advisories issued for the Coast Range, mid-Willamette Valley, and beyond. The North and Central Coast areas are expected to see rising waters coinciding with high tides between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday.
The weather service indicates that the flood watch will remain in effect until Saturday afternoon. While less rain is anticipated on Friday, the cumulative effects of several days of rainfall could still lead to significant issues. The weather service predicts that many rivers and streams will continue to rise on Friday morning, with slower-moving rivers potentially seeing increases extend into Saturday afternoon.
Forecasters have cautioned that saturated soils and elevated river levels may persist for some time, noting that any additional rain could impede the receding of floodwaters and sustain the risk of further flooding. In particular, the Cowlitz River near Kelso, Washington, is still on the rise.
As of Friday morning, thousands of residents across the region are facing power outages, with Portland General Electric reporting over 6,000 affected customers by 6:54 a.m., while Pacific Power indicated that more than 3,000 outages had also been reported.
This post will continue to be updated.
