Landslide prompts evacuation notices, trail closures in Welches

A landslide across Salmon River Road in Welches, Ore., prompted officials to issue Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.
Courtesy of Hoodland Fire
All Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation notices have been lifted Sunday for residents living on the south end of East Salmon River and East Welches Road in Clackamas County.
That’s after the region’s latest atmospheric river triggered a landslide over the weekend that wiped out portions of Salmon River Road near Welches Road.
It also blocked access to all Salmon River trails in the Mount Hood National Forest. Other hazards including downed trees and limbs from the recent storms are also likely blocking trails, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Officials are reminding people and hikers to avoid the area as crews work to assess and clear the damage left behind by this week’s severe weather.
“There are many roads and trails on the Zigzag and Clackamas River Ranger Districts obstructed with many hazards from the recent heavy rain and winds,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a social media post.
Also, Saturday evening, two homes were evacuated in Oregon City after a possible landslide was reported behind a home on Applegate Terrace, west of Peter Skene Way.
Oregon City officials say crews are continuing to inspect the area, but say so far “all signs point to no landslide activity that far from the initial site.”
That notice has since been downgraded to a Level 1 “Be Ready” order.




