Flooding in Oregon, February 6 to 15, 1996

Runoff from heavy rains and melting mountain snow caused major floods upon many northern Oregon rivers. The first rivers reached flood stage on the morning of February 6th while the heaviest rain was still falling. flooding was measured on twenty one rivers in northwestern Oregon. Six rivers set all time high river stage records, and 7 people lost their lives as a direct result of flooding. In eastern Oregon 4 rivers experienced significant flooding. Many smaller un-gaged streams also left their banks during this period. Statewide damage was estimated at over 285 million dollars with an estimated five thousand homes destroyed. Most rivers had receeded to below flood stage by February 14th, however the Lower Willamette river fluctuated around flood stage and the lower reaches of the Columbia remained above flood stage until the end of February.