St. Helens was founded in 1845 as Plymouth and renamed in 1850 for the view of Mount St. Helens across the river. Incorporated in 1889, it absorbed neighboring Houlton in 1914. The town sits about 28 miles northwest of Portland, and its 5,600-plus homes range from the historic Riverfront District, familiar from the 1998 film Halloweentown, to West St. Helens and Columbia Heights.
Please note that Fire & Water Energy refers callers to outside contractors rather than doing restoration. Call (866) 937-3230 after a flood, leak, fire or mold problem, and we'll try to find an independent restoration company that serves Columbia County. Whether someone is free depends on providers in the area. Read how it works and the referral disclosure before you call if you'd like.
River-town weather on the lower Columbia
The city sits only about 89 feet above sea level on the west bank of the Columbia, just north of the Multnomah Channel confluence. Milton Creek runs through town and drains toward the channel through Scappoose Bay. Average yearly precipitation is about 45.5 inches, concentrated from November through January, and snowfall averages about 3 inches. Temperatures have ranged from a record low of 1°F to a record high of 117°F.
Columbia County has been included in nine FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000. Eight involved winter storms or flooding: 2004 (DR-1510), 2006 (DR-1632), two in 2007 (DR-1683 and DR-1733), the record snow of 2009 (DR-1824), 2012 (DR-4055), 2016 (DR-4258) and 2017 (DR-4328). The county was also part of the 2020 wildfires and straight-line winds declaration (DR-4562).
What causes most water damage in St. Helens homes
Three wet months in a row put roofs, gutters and crawlspace vents to the test, and properties near Milton Creek or low ground by the water may see runoff pooling against foundations. Older houses around the Riverfront District can have aging supply lines and drains. In the occasional ice or snow event, unprotected pipes in garages and crawlspaces can freeze and split.
For water damage restoration in St. Helens, contractors commonly locate and stop the source, extract standing water, take moisture readings behind walls and under floors, and run dehumidifiers until materials are dry. Our water extraction page covers that first step, while water damage repair addresses the rebuild. If wind-driven rain caused the leak, see storm water damage restoration.
Federal disaster declarations that included Columbia County
FEMA records show Columbia County was included in 9 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (7 severe storm, 1 fire, 1 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in St. Helens was affected. The most recent:
- 2020 – Wildfires and Straight-line Winds (DR-4562)
- 2017 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4328)
- 2016 – Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4258)
- 2012 – Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4055)
- 2009 – Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow (DR-1824)
- 2007 – Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-1733)
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 St. Helens?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your St. Helens property.
Smoke and fire cleanup in an older river town
The 2020 declaration for wildfires and straight-line winds included Columbia County. Wildfire smoke doesn't need nearby flames to cause problems; it drifts in through vents and leaves odor in fabrics and residue on surfaces.
After a house fire, a reputable company will usually board up and secure the structure, remove charred materials, clean soot from walls and contents based on surface type, and deodorize. Historic buildings may have plaster, old-growth trim or other materials that need careful handling, so ask how the contractor plans to treat them. Our guides to fire damage restoration and smoke damage cleanup go deeper.
Flooding, mudslides and storm cleanup along Milton Creek and the river
Flooding appears in six of the county's declarations since 2000, and landslides or mudslides in five. Heavy rain can raise Milton Creek, saturate sloped lots and loosen soil enough to topple trees onto roofs and power lines.
Treat any water that comes in from outdoors as potentially carrying sewage and chemicals. Contractors generally cut away wet drywall, pull soaked insulation and flooring, disinfect and dry before rebuilding. See flood cleanup and storm damage cleanup to understand the stages.
Damp winters and the mold that follows
With most of the year's rain falling in a few dark months, wet crawlspaces, poorly ventilated bathrooms and closets on exterior walls are prime spots for mold. If materials stay wet more than a day or two, growth becomes likely.
The EPA notes that a homeowner can often deal with mold covering less than about 10 square feet. Anything bigger, mold in ductwork, or growth after floodwater or a sewage backup should go to a professional with containment and HEPA filtration. Read about mold removal.
Safety steps for St. Helens property owners
- Call 911 for fire, injury, gas odors or downed wires. Leave a building that may be structurally compromised.
- Close the water main for a plumbing break, and stay out of standing water near outlets or appliances.
- Sign up for Columbia County's opt-in emergency notifications through PublicAlerts; the county's Emergency Management Program coordinates local response.
- Before cleanup, take photos and video of every affected room. Coverage depends on your policy; reach out to your insurer or agent to learn what they need.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around St. Helens that callers often mention include:
- Riverfront District
- West St. Helens
- Columbia Heights
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from St. Helens):
- Salmon Creek, WA · 13 mi
- Battle Ground, WA · 14 mi
- Hazel Dell, WA · 15 mi
- Five Corners, WA · 17 mi
- Vancouver, WA · 17 mi
- Orchards, WA · 18 mi
St. Helens restoration FAQs
When is the wettest time of year in St. Helens?
November through January bring the heaviest rain, and most of Columbia County's FEMA declarations since 2000 were winter storms or floods. Clearing gutters and checking crawlspace drainage in early fall pays off.
Is Milton Creek a flood concern?
Milton Creek runs through town and drains toward Multnomah Channel through Scappoose Bay. We haven't verified specific creek flood events, but low properties near any creek should watch water levels during long storms and keep valuables off basement floors.
How do I get emergency alerts in Columbia County?
Use the PublicAlerts website, which sends Columbia County residents to the county's opt-in notification system for calls, texts and emails. The county Emergency Management Program also posts updates on social media.
Can you find help in Scappoose or the Portland area?
We try to reach independent contractors serving the lower Columbia, including Scappoose and the west Portland suburbs. Call (866) 937-3230 to see who may be available.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Restoration
- Water Extraction
- Storm Water Damage Restoration
- Flood Cleanup
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Removal