Hoodland Community Planning Organization: January 26

Most of you know that the mission of the Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) is to bring County information to our Hoodland community members and provide a loud voice back to the County. We also provide speaking opportunities of interest to the community. 

December brought rains that only some of us have seen over the years. As soon as the power shut down – Wednesday, 12/17/25 3:11a.m. – while we still had cell coverage, the Ham Operators and HECN Radio volunteers were on their radios outlining the issues regarding conditions:

“Repeater 17 down. Repeater 15 up. Power lines and debris down on Hwy 26, road closed. We can’t get out of our neighborhood near the Lion’s Club.  Emergency Services and PGE emergency dispatched to clear. Power lines down on Arrah Wanna. Have been pushing out this info on Amateur Radio 142.62, GMRS SIMPLEX 17, and GMRS REPEATER 15. We are monitoring amateur radio and GMRS 17 simplex.”

And so it continued between Sleepy Hollow, Marmot Rd, Brightwood, Welches, Lolo Pass Road, Rhododendron, and Zig Zag all day Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. People were monitoring to disseminate information.  Dozens of people listened for any news, like the landslide on Salmon River Road that brought an evacuation Level 3 in the Mountain View area. The landslide continued to Welches Road, calling for a Level 3 evacuation of homes branching from Abernathy. 

The stalwart and well-powered gas station in Welches kept filling propane and gas tanks: we owe a debt of gratitude to them.The USGS Water Gauge at Marmot shot up to 43Kcfs at 2AM Thursday in a shocking display of waterpower.  That day, power returned to some neighborhoods, only to go out again.  All the while, announcements were made by Ham and HECN volunteers.

Division Chief Kline monitored GMRS 17 and brought us news after meetings with the County Disaster Management and other offices. When we asked, he answered. Many thanks.

To be in distress and hear another person’s voice is calming for sure. Though they are too humble to be named, we want to thank every one of the members on the Hoodland Emergency Communication Network, the Hoodland Fire District, the Office of Disaster Management Clackamas County, and the Local Ham Operators who tirelessly worked between two types of radio to help us all.

The HCPO’s four main topics for 2026: 

The Short-Term Rental Program pilot program review and analysis by the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners (BCC). The BCC is planning a Town Hall in Welches in March to have a conversation with local citizens. Moving the Town Hall from February to March, at our request, will require a month’s extension of the pilot program.

Disaster and Evacuation Planning.  Along with the Clackamas Disaster Management Office and the Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership, we are working to develop an understanding of the processes set in motion during an emergency. 

The Welches Road Walk/Bike Path. We expect to hear from the County in April or May of 2026, and will conduct a meeting at that time.

In the Hoodland Emergency Communication Network (HECN) we now have more than 60 members with radios. Please consider joining us at HECN. We will begin monthly Zoom workshops for everyone interested. There’s no need to buy a radio to join a Zoom call. Join us and learn, then decide if it’s for you.  If you want to join in, or simply learn about GMRS Radio, please write to us at HECN.hoodlandcpo@gmail.com   Our web page is at www.mthoodwildfirepartnership.org/hecn 

We welcome your comments on any matter: Hoodlandcpo@gmail.com