Residents of Clackamas County breathed a sigh of relief as evacuation orders prompted by a landslide in Welches were lifted on Sunday afternoon, signaling an end to the immediate danger that had hung over the community, KPTV reported. Despite the easing of these orders, caution remains for one neighborhood in Oregon City, which is still under a Level 2: “Be Set” evacuation notice, specifically the area along Knightsbridge Road, from Barlow Road extending east onto Arndt Road to the Pudding River, including adjacent homes on Barlow Road north of Knightsbridge Road, Fawver Road, and Wilcox Road.
The situation in Welches appeared to have stabilized enough for officials to downgrade the Level 3 “Go Now” notices, but officials still urged residents to stay vigilant in the face of the persisting landslide risks. "Don't wait to evacuate if you feel unsafe. Conditions can change rapidly. Make the best decision for your safety," officials were quoted as emphasizing the potential for sudden shifts in the KGW coverage, and this is indicative of the unpredictable nature that landslides and related natural hazards pose to affected areas.
Previously, after someone from Applegate Terrace reported shifting in the hillside, the surrounding homes had been placed on a Level 1 “Get Ready” notice, though two homes had been specifically targeted for evacuation the evening prior, KOIN revealed. The diligence of local officials, who revisited the area for a detailed daylight examination, found further evidence of the hillside's instability, which precipitated the evacuation order.
For those displaced, Clackamas County provided refuge at the Clackamas County Fair and Event Center to accommodate residents, their RVs, and even livestock, indicative of the community's pull-together spirit in times of crisis, despite the ongoing risks that nature's whims thrust upon them, as reported by KPTV. With roadways like Salmon River Road reopening to traffic and OR 211 east of Molalla clearing from previous flooding, there seems to be a silver lining emerging as the area recovers from the natural tumult it recently encountered.
For the latest updates on this situation, residents are encouraged to visit the Clackamas County emergency alerts website, as the county continues to monitor the aftermath of the landslide and any further potential threats to public safety.
