A soggy Thursday in unincorporated Multnomah County ended with a full closure of Northwest Cornell Road after a mudslide took out a two-lane stretch in the West Hills. Deputies shut the road in both directions between the Wildwood Trail turnaround and the Skyline Boulevard parking area and said they had no estimate for when traffic might be allowed back through.
Where the slide hit
According to KPTV, deputies reported the slide came down just west of the Bird Alliance of Oregon, blocking NW Cornell between the Wildwood turnaround and Skyline and leaving the reopening timeline wide open. The Bird Alliance of Oregon lists its sanctuary at 5151 NW Cornell Road, directly alongside the impacted segment, per Bird Alliance of Oregon. County deputies and road crews were on scene, checking the stability of the slope as weather and safety allowed.
Flood watch and landslide risk
According to the National Weather Service, northwest Oregon spent the day under a flood watch as an atmospheric river soaked the region, with forecasters warning that the heavy rain could trigger landslides and debris flows. "Unusual sounds might indicate moving debris," the agency cautioned, urging people who live below steep slopes or near canyon mouths to stay alert. The NWS specifically flagged the Portland West Hills and nearby areas as spots where slope failures were more likely during the storm.
Other slides closing roads across the region
It was not the only trouble spot. State crews have been racing to multiple slide reports, and the Oregon Department of Transportation shut down a portion of the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Corbett after a separate landslide while crews inspected the slope and guardrail. ODOT's Columbia Gorge projects page outlines ongoing landslide repair work and periodic closures in that corridor as crews continue trying to keep unstable slopes in check.
How to check conditions and stay safe
Drivers are being urged to steer clear of the affected stretch of NW Cornell, to follow all barricades and closures, and to resist the temptation to roll through mud or standing water. If you encounter an active slide or an immediate hazard, officials say to call 911 and keep plenty of distance from any moving debris. For up-to-the-minute information on road conditions, closures and detours, check TripCheck and local emergency channels before you head out.
