Power Down, Spirits Up: Neighbors Rally Amidst Storm Chaos

As The Mt. Hood Villages begin a new year with potential winter weather finally on the horizon, 2025 decided to go out with a bang full of high winds, heavy rains, flooding, and landslides all within the borders of the community. With two significant weather patterns, back to back, the Mt. Hood National Forest and Mt. Hood Villages became significantly damaged with both systems that fell across the area.

The first wave of storms hit the second week of December, bringing warmer temperatures and heavy rains throughout the greater Portland area. The snowpack that had originally landed on Mt. Hood in November soon became rivers and streams as it dumped into the Sandy and Salmon rivers. Not to be outdone by its predecessor, the second atmospheric river event the week before Christmas caused widespread power outages, downed trees, and landslides that sent community members panicking. 

Hitting The Mt. Hood Villages on the night of December 16th, strong winds took out power lines and large trees in the area. Wind gusts clocked at 138 miles per hour rocked the Mt. Hood National Forest, forcing some residents to evacuate their forest covered homes to open parking lots such as The Thriftway Plaza. By Wednesday morning, more than 200,000 Oregonians were without power from the storm, and several neighborhoods in The Mt. Hood Villages were trapped due to downed trees and downed live power lines. Side streets and major roadways in the community were closed for significant periods of time while crews worked to remove debris, power lines, and trees. Highway 26 was closed most of Wednesday morning from Zigzag to Government Camp due to a downed power line, causing a backup of traffic for several hours. 

Although power outages and intense weather are nothing new to the residents of the Mt. Hood Villages, the aftermath and devastation of such storms is still something no one ever wants to experience. While many residents and community members have purchased generators since the devastating fires and power outrages in 2020, there are still many without. Mt. Hood Villages residents Kate Wille and Justin Stuck were just a few of the standout neighbors who took in neighbors and friends during the storm, allowing them to use their generator for heat and power. Using their generator to charge devices, warm up and shower, friends of theirs, such as community member Nicole Guyer, were able to work and proceed with normal life in spite of the uncertainty of power restoration. “I received a text from Kate on Wednesday at 7 a.m. opening up their home to my dog and me,” Guyer said. “Over the week they provided us, and 20 other people, shelter from the storm and a place among friends to feel safe during such a scary and uncertain time. Kate and Justin always act from a place of love and kindness which was seen and felt wholeheartedly that week,” Guyer added.

Sentiments of community fellowship were shared widely as residents woke up to the devastation from the storm. Neighbors in the RV Village helped rescue a man and his dog from a tree which crushed his camper, pinning him in a corner. Others used their own chainsaws and tools to help open roads and driveways for neighbors. Restaurants and bars such as Charlie’s Mountain View in Government Camp were able to open their doors with the use of a generator, giving residents the option of a warm meal. 

As the first wave of the storm ended and power was slowly being restored to The Mt. Hood Villages (residents of Lolo Pass and other areas near the Salmon river taking longer), the second wave of the storms hit, causing widespread flooding and giving way to landslides in the area. Clackamas County issued a level 3 (go now)  order to those in the south end of East Salmon River and East Welches Road due to a landslide. “My husband and I have seen some pretty high waters on the Salmon, but we knew it was getting bad and decided we should leave,” Mt. Hood Villages resident Marlyne Casley said. “I was just grabbing our bags when I saw the fire department come down our street and I knew they were coming to evacuate us,” Casley added. With cell service spotty at best without power and internet, many residents near the Salmon River were going door to door to make sure neighbors knew of the landslide and took appropriate precautions. 

Although The Mt. Hood Villages took a beating from the atmospheric river event, the aftermath of the flooding and power outages was felt heavily in other parts of the state as well. Communities near the Clackamas River were forced to evacuate as water levels breached, flooding communities and parks. Coastal highways such as Highway 6 between Portland and Tillamook are closed indefinitely due to a landslide, and several other major roadways were temporarily shut down due to storm debris. 

As power has been restored and many Mt. Hood Villages residents prepare for the start of the new year, many are still on edge as to what weather patterns this new year will bring. “Being prepared is half the battle,” Guyer said. “While we can’t really ever predict how bad it can get here, knowing the forecasted reports and always having your go-bag and power outage supplies ready is becoming the new normal,” Guyer said.