A decade after record floods, Johnson Creek faces only minor rise

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - A pair of atmospheric rivers is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to northwest Oregon and southwest Washington through Wednesday.

The highest flood potential is forecast for the Coast Range, the Cascade foothills, and the northern Willamette Valley. Parts of Multnomah and Clackamas counties are under flood warnings.

Johnson Creek at the Sycamore gauge in Southeast Portland remains an area of concern, although only minor flooding is anticipated.

The National Weather Service expects the creek to rise above flood stage (11 feet) Monday night and crest near 12 feet early Tuesday morning before falling back below flood stage by late Tuesday evening. Forecasters note a 25% chance of exceeding the Moderate flood level of 13 feet and a 10% chance of surpassing the Major flood level of 14 feet later this week.

Minor flooding may be seen between SE 92nd and SE 122nd avenues and between Johnson Creek and SE Harold Street.

Johnson Creek flows through the backyard of Mark Pilliod’s home off SE Foster Road. When FOX 12 interviewed him, the creek measured about 6 feet.

Pilliod said he isn’t worried. In the four years he’s lived there, he hasn’t seen major flooding, though he’s well aware of what happened in December 2015, when water reached a record 15.33 feet at the Sycamore gauge.

Ten years ago, Johnson Creek surged to that record height. “Imagine 9 or 10 feet taller than where it is now. That was the worst,” Pilliod said.

Forecasters say flooding of that magnitude is not expected this time. Pilliod said that, in the meantime, all he can do is keep monitoring the rising water behind his home.

“There’s nothing I can do. It’s Mother Nature, it’s going to decide,” he said.

Cities including Gresham and Portland are urging residents to clear storm drains, which may clog during the storm, and are offering free sandbags.

Follow First Alert Weather updates for the latest information.