PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) — Thirty years ago this month, the Pacific Northwest experienced one of the most destructive natural disasters in modern history when the February 1996 flood devastated communities across Oregon and Washington.
The catastrophic event transformed familiar landmarks into unrecognizable scenes. Willamette Falls disappeared, turned into rapids. The End of the Oregon Trail marker was submerged. Hundreds of Portland residents came together to build an enormous wall to keep floodwaters out of downtown.
Thousands of people left their homes as the disaster unfolded.
“We don’t know if the water will be six inches deep, or 12, or 24 inches deep in here,” said one homeowner at the time…