KGW Vault: The Willamette Valley flood of 1996

In February 1996 -- 25 years ago this week -- a winter of snow and ice followed by warm rain led to floods that devastated the Willamette Valley and parts of Southwest Washington. KGW's Brenda Braxton was there to report.
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[@tthappyrock368]

I had the day off and helped a PGE crew direct people from OMSI, which at that point had sufficient help, to Johnson Creek and other areas which needed help. Later, I walked over to the West side where the plywood had been put up along the sea wall. The water was the width of my hand away from over-topping the cement. I was so happy to help and so proud of our community coming together to help one another!

[@morphman21]

I remember this. This is still INSANE that it happened

[@nanwilder2853]

I remember feeling bad that I couldn’t go help with the sand-bagging down at the river, because a pipe in my inner N.E. apt. was leaking ; and the maintenance guy was a drunk. Good times in “old Portland”.

[@harrietvanderbilt9469]

We went downtown and filled sandbags for hours. Then we banked them up against the doors and windows of buildings along State Street. Oswego Lake flooded across State Street and was channeled down foothills Rd. and the parking areas of the apartments at Oswego Pointe. In the days that followed, after the water receded, buckled sidewalks and roads were left. This was an event, like the Big Blow in Eugene, that I will remember all my life.

[@bcshelby4926]

...yeah I remember helping to sandbag OMSI. On a break I walked up to the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge and when I placed a hand on the railing I could feel it strongly vibrating. I saw outbuildings carried down the river one hitting the pilings causing the bridge to lurch. I feared the next morning the bridge or a least a part of it may have been gone.

[@katl7227]

Good morning. I remember that, like it was yesterday. I was 18yrs old, living just off of Western Bld behind the the OSU stadium. The whole south side of town was all under water. Safeway in downtown, people were on row boats going through town. It was an absolutely a devastating time for sure. I will never forget all the people that came together and helped one another. It’s a shame now days. The only time people come together now, is when something tragic like this happens. Where’s your heart America?

[@isaac-lk5xm]

When Portland was cool

[@gmckenzie175]

I went to the water front to see it crest and watched it go to the top of the wall with sand bags then paused and started to go down slowly. I also remember that the damn had to be released as well because it was full. Talk about perfect storm. All the waterways backed up to lake oswego etc.

[@JB-gw8ee]

I remember standing on the High Rocks bridge on the Clackamas River and the water was almost up to the bridge

[@TNTN1977]

I remember

[@peter50555.]

There was a time a train went into the river when Steel bridge was raised.

[@cashradwhite]

did anybody else notice Monica 🧐

[@SoulAir]

I did not see that woman; Miss lewinsky