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Emergency Preparedness & Response

URBAN FLOOD SAFETY AND WATER QUALITY DISTRICT / WHAT WE DO / DISTRICT SERVICES / EMERGENCY RESPONSE & PREPAREDNESS

A few hours of preparation can make a big difference

For those of us who live and work in the low-lying areas along the Columbia River, the local levees do a lot to reduce the risk of flooding. But no levee can ever provide 100% protection, which means it’s up to each of us to be prepared for a flood. A few hours spent making your home or place of business secure, preparing an emergency kit, and creating a flood plan can make a big difference. Here are some resources to help you prepare before a flood.

Make a Plan

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States and can happen anywhere. You can create an emergency plan for flooding, and other emergencies, in just three steps:

1) With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, work and play.

2) Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and how you will work together as a team.

3) Practice, practice, practice.

RESOURCES

Ready.org: Plan ahead

ADCouncil: Comprehensive family emergency plan

American Red Cross: Create and practice an emergency plan

Oregon Office of Emergency Management: Printable emergency plans

FEMA (Video): Make a plan

Build a Supply Kit

In an emergency, emergency response teams may not be able to assist everyone immediately. Being prepared means being equipped with the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.

RESOURCES

American Red Cross: Survival kit list

FEMA: Recommended supply list

Multnomah County Emergency Management: Family emergencies supplies calendar

PBEM’s budget friendly shopping list

Stay Informed

Sign up for PublicAlerts

Sign up for Nextdoor neighborhood notifications.

National Weather Service (weather forecast)

National Weather Service (river forecast)

Emergency preparedness for immigrants and refugees

ODOT TripCheck (road conditions)

Preparedness videos

Wireless emergency alerts

CURRENT RIVER CONDITIONS

vancouver gage – National Weather Service
MCDD FLOOD CATEGORIES

During high water and heavy rain events, the Districts implement emergency action plans to keep levees and facilities functioning to protect life, property, and the environment.  MCDD uses the National Weather Service (NWS) Vancouver Gage on the Columbia River (pictured left) to make flood emergency related decisions.

Our emergency response categories are divided into four levels:

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Emergency Alerts to Keep You Safe

PublicAlerts sends emergency alerts via text, email, or voice message. It’s a *free service for anyone who lives, works, or visits the Portland-Vancouver Region. Personal information is kept secure and private. (*Message and data rates may apply depending on your provider and phone services.)

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an icon representing emergency response

KEY EMERGENCY PARTNERS

During high water and heavy rain events, the Districts implement emergency action plans to keep levees and facilities functioning to protect life, property, and the environment. We work closely with partner agencies, landowners, and non-profit and community organizations to ensure a coordinated approach during emergency events. Our key emergency partners include:

Multnomah County Emergency Management

Portland Bureau of Emergency Management

US Army Corps of Engineers – Emergency Management

Port of Portland – Emergency Management

MCDD Flood Emergency Action Plan (FEAP)

Our response to a flood event is described in detail in our Flood Emergency Action Plan (FEAP). The plan outlines the District’s response to the threat of a flood. This plan only addresses emergency response to a flood event on the Columbia River or Lower Columbia Slough; it does not cover response to stormwater emergencies.

Trainings and Exercises 

District employees undergo Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trainings in order to prepare for our role in a flood or other regional emergencies.  We put our plans to practice and hold annual tabletop exercises with partners to ensure a coordinated approach to emergency response.

Evacuations

Though the Districts are a first responder in a flood event, the organization of an evacuation and the provision of personal services is coordinated by each City.  Click below to learn more about each City’s Emergency Operations Plans.

City of Portland

City of Gresham

City of Fairview

City of Troutdale

If you have questions regarding emergency management at the Districts, please email info@mcdd.org.

REMEMBER

Standard homeowner and renter’s insurance does not cover flooding
Depending on your location, you may be eligible for low-cost flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). To get more information on flood insurance, please visit www.FloodSmart.gov or call the NFIP Help Center at 800-427- 4661.

The NFIP is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program makes federally-backed flood insurance available for participating communities in exchange for local agreement to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA’s requirements to reduce the risk of flooding. A part of this agreement includes that in areas with levees, the levees must be “accredited” through FEMA, which means they meet specific flood safety standards.

Although our local levee system is not currently certified, the system is still accredited by FEMA at this time. We are working closely with local and federal partners to recertify the local levee system and maintain FEMA accreditation.

Flood History

The Districts have experienced four “100-year events” and two “500-year events” since 1894, the highest flood on record for the Columbia River at the Vancouver Gage.  A 100-year event has a 1-percent chance of occurring within any given year and a 500-year event has a 0.2-percent chance of occurring in any given year. Below is a high water timeline of the last big floods along the lower Columbia River.

June 1894

Heavy precipitation throughout the Columbia River basin during the 1893-94 winter led to heavy snowpack. This was followed by a dry, warm spring resulting in a massive snowmelt. There was still heavy rainfall in the lower basin, contributing to the flooding. Water levels remained at major flood levels (31.3+ NAVD88) for 38 days. The Districts were not formed at this time. 

May 1948

Heavy precipitation in the Columbia River basin throughout the winter led to heavy snowpack. Early spring had little precipitation and few warm days. May brought heavy rainfall and warm temperatures, which created heavy snowmelt in late May causing flooding throughout the entire basin. Water levels remained at major flood levels for 26 days. Levees/embankments breached in PEN 1, PEN 2, and MCDD.

June 1956

Persistent heavy precipitation in the Columbia River basin started in October of 1955 through February of 1956. Heavy rainfall in the northern Columbia basin continued in March. Snowpack in higher elevations started by the end of October, and by springtime snowpack was much higher than usual. Warm temperatures in late spring augmented the snowmelt. Water levels remained at major flood levels for 12 days. The Districts’ system performed well. 

December 1964

Unusual cold weather in early December was followed by heavy snowfall.  Subsequently there was warm, persistent, heavy rains later in the month. December rainfall that year was more than 3.5” above average in the Portland area. Water levels remained at major flood levels for 2 days. The Districts’ system performed well. 

February 1996

The season had heavy snowfall, ice, and warmer temperatures earlier in the season. Floodwaters were fed by heavy rains and melting snow. The Portland Airport area received about 7 inches of rain in a four day period. The Willamette River reached 28.6 feet (WRD) in height and crested the downtown Portland seawall (33.8 NAVD88). The Districts’ system performed well, erosion and seepage were main concerns. 

Additional Resources