Judge Harvey Cross founded Gladstone in 1889 and named it for British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone. The city became home to one of the country's largest permanent Chautauqua assembly grounds and was formally incorporated in 1911. Today about 4,900 homes fill its roughly 2.5 square miles at the river junction, around 12 miles south of Portland, with Portland Avenue as the main street.
Fire & Water Energy offers referrals only, so the work itself is done by others. If water, smoke, fire or mold has hit your property, call (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving the Gladstone and Oregon City area. That depends on which local companies are available. Read how it works along with the referral disclosure for the full picture.
Life at the confluence: river, rain and winter storm risk
Gladstone sits only about 89 feet above sea level where the Clackamas River flows into the Willamette, and the two rivers border the city on two sides. Annual precipitation averages roughly 46 inches. Floods shaped this stretch of river long before the city existed: Wikipedia notes that the Great Flood of 1862 swept away what remained of nearby Linn City. Clackamas County's flooding page features footage of the 1964 Christmas Flood at the Clackamas-Willamette confluence, when the Oregon City Shopping Center filled with 34.5 inches of water.
Since 2000, Clackamas County has been listed in nine FEMA major disaster declarations. Those with flooding include 2006 (DR-1632), 2011 (DR-1956), 2016 (DR-4258) and 2026 (DR-4907). Winter storms and snow drove the 2004, 2009, 2021 and 2024 declarations, and the 2020 event covered wildfires and straight-line winds (DR-4562).
Riverside basements, crawlspaces and water damage restoration in Gladstone
Low elevation and nearby rivers mean groundwater and runoff can find basements and crawlspaces during long wet spells, even when the rivers stay in their banks. Inside the house, common culprits include roof leaks during heavy rain, failed water heaters, and pipes that freeze in an ice storm like those declared in 2021 and 2024.
Contractors commonly begin water damage restoration in Gladstone by stopping the source and extracting water, then measuring moisture in walls and floors and running structural drying equipment. Lower levels are covered in our basement flood cleanup guide, and repairs afterward fall under water damage repair.
Federal disaster declarations that included Clackamas County
FEMA records show Clackamas County was included in 9 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (8 severe storm, 1 fire, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Gladstone was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4907)
- 2024 – Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4768)
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4599)
- 2020 – Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (DR-4562)
- 2016 – Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4258)
- 2011 – Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Mudslides, Landslides, and Debris Flows (DR-1956)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Gladstone?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Gladstone property.
Smoke and fire cleanup, from kitchen fires to wildfire haze
Fire has its own place in local history; an 1861 fire destroyed several buildings in Linn City, a nearby settlement. In recent years, Clackamas County was part of the 2020 wildfire declaration, and the county now lists both wildfire and smoke among its hazards. Smoke can coat window screens, filters and fabric well away from the fire itself.
Following a house fire, a reputable company will usually secure the building, remove charred materials, clean soot by surface, and use filtration and deodorizing equipment for odor. Whatever the hoses soaked will need its own round of drying. More detail is on fire damage restoration and soot removal.
When the Clackamas or Willamette rises
The county's flooding guidance is blunt: six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet and a foot can float a car, so never walk or drive through floodwater, and stay off bridges over fast-moving rivers. It links to NOAA's river gauge network so residents can follow water levels during storms, and recommends PublicAlerts sign-up and sandbag sites.
Floodwater is considered contaminated. After it recedes, contractors generally remove wet drywall up to a set height, discard soaked insulation and carpet, disinfect, and dry everything before rebuilding. See flood damage restoration and sewage cleanup for how contaminated water is typically handled.
Mold risk in low, damp river neighborhoods
A wet climate, low elevation and nearby rivers can keep crawlspaces humid for much of the year. After a flood or leak, mold can start within a couple of days on drywall, wood and carpet pad that aren't dried quickly.
EPA guidance says homeowners can generally clean a patch under about 10 square feet. Larger growth, mold in HVAC ducts, or mold following floodwater or sewage should be addressed by a professional using containment and HEPA filtration; our mold removal page explains the process.
First moves for Gladstone residents after damage
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, gas smells or lines down. If water is rising, move to higher ground and follow evacuation orders.
- Shut off the water main for plumbing breaks; don't enter flooded rooms where outlets or appliances may be under water.
- Get warnings through PublicAlerts and check river and road updates on the Clackamas County flooding page.
- Before anything is torn out, snap pictures that show the high-water mark on each wall. Coverage depends on your policy, and flood damage is often handled separately from standard homeowners coverage; ask your insurer or agent.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Gladstone):
Gladstone restoration FAQs
Has Gladstone's area flooded badly before?
Yes. The Great Flood of 1862 destroyed what was left of Linn City nearby, and Clackamas County's records of the 1964 Christmas Flood include footage at the Clackamas-Willamette confluence. More recently, the county was included in FEMA declarations with flooding in 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2026.
How can I watch river levels during a storm?
The county's flooding page links to NOAA's river gauge network for the Portland forecast office. Watching both the Clackamas and Willamette readings during heavy rain helps you decide when to move cars and valuables.
Is regular homeowners insurance enough for river flooding?
Policies vary, and flood damage is frequently excluded or covered separately. Read your policy and talk with your insurer or agent before the rainy season so you know where you stand.
Can you find help in Oregon City, West Linn or Jennings Lodge?
We try to reach independent contractors who serve the whole area, including Oregon City, West Linn, Jennings Lodge and Milwaukie. Call (866) 937-3230 and we'll look for someone available.
Restoration guides
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Basement Flood Cleanup
- Water Damage Restoration
- Sewage Cleanup
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Removal
Local resources for Gladstone residents
- Clackamas County Disaster Management
- Clackamas County flooding information
- Clackamas County PublicAlerts