The flooding that recently occurred in the Portland Metro area seems like a distant memory to most of us, especially if our own home was unaffected. The biggest reminder for me was driving on Redland Road in Oregon City on my way to and from our house, looking at the garbage each day, wondering when “somebody was going to clean that up.” Abernethy Creek flooded, which I wrote about earlier on OurPDX, and although the creek has long since returned to it’s usual level, the flotsam from the flood still hung from the trees and lined the creek banks. Washing machines, barbeques, trash cans, and food garbage was everywhere. 

Somewhat to my amazement, the garbage didn’t clean itself up. I guess this sort of thing doesn’t magically fix itself…?

The flooding also damaged homes along the creek. Julian Belciu is the owner of one of the homes and much of the property that was damaged by the floodwaters. Julian’s family was able to move back into the house last week, but that was only after he had replaced all of the floors in the home, trying to salvage what possessions he could. And it was without the help of either his homeowners or flood insurance. He also only had liability insurance on his vehicles, which were also flood damaged.   

“It was a little overwhelming to say the least, looking out at all of the wreckage that was left. I didn’t know how I was going to be able to do it all,” Belciu commented this morning. 

The County was also paying attention, preparing to take action to encourage residents to get things cleaned up. The County was prepared to pay a visit to Julian’s property to assess the state of things and impose fines if necessary.

Out of a sense of community, and perhaps with a touch of inspiration from the spirit that has recently captivated the nation, several neighbors in the area decided to do something about it. After speaking with Julian about what they could do, Marilee Lloyd, Carol Drudis, Wanda Swainson, and Susan Ottersen decided to help to rally the community for a Saturday cleanup. Using Meetin.org, word of mouth, and some good old-fashioned roadside signs, the word spread quickly. Coffee Rush in Oregon City provided free coffee. Neighbors provided baked goods, and a collection was started to help offset the dump fees for everything that could not be recycled.

In our case, we had a variety of reasons for volunteering. There are all of the noble reasons that anyone has when they volunteer: reaching out to others in times of need, doing unto others as you would have done unto you, taking care of your community, and so forth. But for us, one of the principle reasons was for our children. It was a great opportunity to lead by example, particularly with our highly impressionable 4-year-old. 

This morning when we arrived to help out, we were utterly amazed at the turnout. 

“I think there are easily 100 people here already, and more on their way. It’s incredible,” said Drudis.

As the cleanup progressed, with people of every size and shape tromping out in the mud and blackberry brambles, Julian was overwhelmed again – this time with immense gratitude. 

“I don’t have the words…It is unbelievable. I am so grateful to everyone. It just goes to show what can be done with a little help. I am truly humbled.” 

Julian and his family were not the only ones moved by the experience. Standing in these woods that we drive by every day, working among the crowd of volunteers all joined in a singular purpose with garbage bags in hand, you could not help but be swept up by the power of joining together in times of need. With the smiles and sweat on the broad range of faces, and young and old alike picking up anything that did not belong, it was clear that our 4-year-old was getting the message. 

“Dad, who are all these people?” 

“Ah just the neighbors. Everybody wanted to get things cleaned up a little.” 

“Can I swim in there? In the creek?” 

“Well, not today. It’s a little cold.” 

At least I’m pretty sure he was getting the message. But judging by the fact that he was less interested in the cake and more interested in holding the garbage bag, I think we’re reasonably safe. 

After 2 hours, the work was nearly complete. 

“We’ve undone in an hour and a half what took 2 days for the creek to dump here,” Belciu said. 

As people began to depart, I could not help but think about the words that have been ringing in my ears since last Monday; words that hopefully will resonate with our children as they do with us. Speaking at a High School in Washington D.C., our then President-elect Obama continued his call to action. 

“If we’re just waiting around for somebody else to do it for us, for somebody else to clean up the vacant lot, [...] it never gets done. [...] We’re going to have to take responsibility – all of us.” 

I’d like to think that is what we did even for only a couple of hours today. And with a little effort, hopefully it sets the precedent for good things to come.

UPDATE: Marilee Lloyd has posted a blog piece with many more photos of the event. You can view them here: http://trashcleanup.blogspot.com/

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• January 9, 2009 -- Walmart and Home Depot are flooding I5 at Chehalis (5)

CIMG0391
Originally uploaded by dieselboi

Not really, but…. The photo to the left was taken mere hours before I5 was closed due to flooding in Chehalis on Wednesday, about 135 miles north of Portland. This is the second year in a row that I5 has been closed at this spot, creating a mess on the interstate that connects Canada, the USA and Mexico. This is huge people.

I have been traveling I5 to Chehalis and points beyond now for the better part of 11 years visiting in-laws and extended family. Many live in this area and while they do remember some flooding, they have no memory of it closing I5. I remember always commenting on the huge fields flanking I5 around this area being covered in water during the rainy season (which up there seems to be 365 days a year, but I digress…) Yet there was never flooding over I5 or of the rivers nearby until, interestingly enough, a huge Walmart/Home Depot complex was built. Hmmm. What are the odds that a huge development with pavement parking lots has anything to do with the recent flooding? I would say high probability. In an area that gets a huge amount of liquid sunshine, it has to go somewhere. When you pave over that “somewhere,” the liquid will find other places to go, like the freeway.

I can only assume that they did all the necessary environmental assessments and such because this is the NW. I just wonder if they took into account the 100yr and 101yr flood history. Also, I wonder if they were looking at the immediate gain of having such big box stores and not thinking of the millions that are currently being lost due to I5 being shut down for 5 days. Sad to see the mess these storms are wreaking and the personal cost in this down economy, but sometimes we should sit back and ask ourselves why this is happening more now when it didn’t in the past?

Thanks Walmart. Thanks Home Depot. Thanks Toyota dealership.

A few more photos.

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These photos of Abernethy Creek in Oregon City were taken today after the latest round of heavy precipitation. According to residents who live along the creek and Redland Road, the water had already receded by a couple of feet when I shot these earlier today. Additionally, this is apparently 10 feet or so less than the floods of ‘96, according to my neighbor, a lifelong resident.

With the ground saturated from our recent melted snows, continuous rain, downed trees, and every form of precipitation in the book thrown in our direction, it comes as little surprise that we are facing flooding here in PDX. In this case, I suspect that the clear cutting on the opposing hillside (not shown) didn’t help the situation, though that is not a scientific opinion.

New home that was built on the flood plain (I believe), last year.

The water was apparently only a foot deep or so, but enough to get the car off the road and overturned.

Overturned car that tried to cross the creek. Ironically it's an import.

More flood damage.

A local resident said that when the flooding started, trash cans were out for pickup, so trash from the neighborhood is now spread all over the creek banks and meadows.

Flooding of a local field just below Holly Lane.

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WTF? I mean, really. WTF?

I’m heading for the bus last night around midnight. It’s raining in glorious Oregon fashion, but I’ve got an umbrella and sensible shoes, so no worries. I’m listening to Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here on the personal sound system, having flashbacks of being at the coast during a winter storm. The new MAX tracks running on 5th and 6th look like small creeks. I puddle-hop across, catch a bus home. My neighborhood? More of the same. It’s raining, a warm rain considering it’s January.

About 2 AM, I cross paths with a family member heading to work. She grumbles, “I wonder if I need to take the chains…”

“Why?…” I ask.

“Have you looked outside?”

“I just came in from outside. It’s raining. News flash!” Some days I can’t help being a smartass.

“News flash yourself. Go look. It’s snowing.”

“Bulls**t!” I looked out the window and my heart sank. Instead of rattling off the fifteen to twenty words you can’t say on broadcast TV I’d said out loud, I will give you the family-friendly version:

“Oh, bother…”

I did NOT want to start this crap all over again. On the upside, it probably wouldn’t last long. I mean, I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and feeling comfortable outside mere minutes ago…

I curled up, went to sleep, to be awakened about 5 AM by my niece. “Uncle Charlie? Can you make the lights come back on?”

Grr…

I spent the next two hours reassuring a ten-year-old that everything is fine, that our dark old house is the same house as when the lights are on. (Didn’t help much.) The upside? We had a pretty good time, despite my sleepy/cranky demeanor. When her mother got home I got a big kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to sleep now.”

A couple hours later, the power came back on. The nearby substation had flooded, but power had been redirected. Why does this always happen right after I buy a week’s supply of food? I threatened death or dismemberment to anyone opening the refrigerator. Fortunately for them, the power came back on before anemia set in.

Now? It’s flooding up the street, but my bus is running. (I’ve been watching Transit Tracker and then checking the window. So far, so good!) According to Jim Donovan, KGW News, this means we might have an early spring! Not a moment too soon for me. I’m quickly tiring of this extreme weather.

I’m making Dave Salesky the official weather scapegoat this time. C’mon Dave, give us a break…

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