MOLALLA, Ore. – Residents of Molalla are beginning to return home after being evacuated due to significant flooding from the Molalla River, which prompted Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders earlier on Friday. While the immediate danger has passed, many community members are discovering extensive damage caused by the floodwaters.
Jesse Witkowski, a member of the Molalla Train Park, described the scene, noting how dramatically the water levels rose and fell within hours. “Water was flowing over here like, literally like, over this like a waterfall this morning,” he shared, expressing astonishment at the rapid changes.
The flooding led to dangerous situations, including a truck becoming partially submerged with a family of six trapped inside. Fortunately, they were safely rescued without injuries. As residents return to their homes, they are assessing the impact of the flooding, particularly at the train park, which may need significant repairs before the upcoming season.
Witkowski expressed the challenges ahead: “It’s going to be a lot of work to repair it… we’re going to have to get all that work done before May so we can open on time.” The park, which has been a community fixture for over 70 years and operates entirely on volunteer efforts, will require all hands on deck to restore it to its former state.
“This all has to be rebuilt, and it all has to be leveled by hand—it’s a strenuous, time-consuming process,” Witkowski noted, acknowledging the labor-intensive effort that lies ahead.
Despite the setbacks, Witkowski remains optimistic about the community’s resilience. He observed the immediate response from power and tree trimming companies actively working to restore safety and normalcy. “People in this area are pretty resilient, and the recovery here will be pretty quick,” he said.
As of Friday evening, officials have issued “be ready” evacuation alerts for low-lying areas along the Molalla River as a precaution. Community members are banding together, hopeful for a speedy recovery as they face the challenges ahead.