FEMA Region X – Risk MAP Discovery Interview
Lower Willamette - Tualatin Watersheds
City of Troutdale, Oregon
August 15, 2012; 2:00pm Pacific Time
City of Troutdale
Craig Ward – City Manager
Christine Amedzake – GIS System Analyst
Elizabeth McCallum – Senior Planner
Rich Faith – Community Development Director
FEMA Region X
David Ratté – Regional Engineer
Oregon DLCD
Steve Lucker – State Risk MAP Coordinator
STARR (FEMA Contractor)
Josha Crowley – Region X Service Center Lead
Becca Croft – Interviewer
Jonathan Johnson – GIS Specialist
Gregg Pickett – Recorder
The following information was collected during the Interview. Unless otherwise noted, all comments are
from City of Troutdale representatives.
I.
Contacts
 The contact list was updated and expanded with additional city representatives, address
and email additions, etc.
STARR (J. Johnson) reviewed the GIS data that has been collected for the City of Troutdale and explained
the types of additional data that could be beneficial to the project: parks, environmentally sensitive
areas, critical habitats, building footprints, parcels, topographic data (LiDAR, etc.).
II.
III.
IV.
Topography, LiDAR, and GIS
 The City has parcel data and 2-foot contours that can be obtained from C. Amedzake.
 There is a recently-effective LOMR in the city that was submitted by the Sandy Drainage
Improvement Company, and this LOMR covers much of the area north of the freeway.
Some new detailed areas have been established and some Zone A areas are quite
different. This LOMR went effective on July 27th and affects Panels 216H and 217H.
 There are several areas shown as Special Flood Hazard Areas outside of city boundaries
that are managed by the City.
Planning
 Troutdale has a Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), adopted in 2010.
 The City would appreciate technical assistance in mitigation planning.
Earthquakes
 No earthquakes in the past have caused damage, but some tremors have been felt.
Risk MAP Discovery Interview – Lower Willamette - Tualatin Watersheds
City of Troutdale – August 15, 2012
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V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
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An earthquake fault runs through the area. The City did not know if any mitigation work
had ever been done or if any future projects are planned.
Wildfires
 The City characterized the wildfire threat as “possible”, and wildfires may be part of the
City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Landslides
 Landslides are possible.
 DOGAMI has a map showing potential landslide areas.
 The City has not adopted the landslide map yet, but some other communities in the
area have adopted them.
 There are strict standards for development on slopes that are 25% or greater.
 The Columbia River Highway has been blocked from time to time by landslides in the
general vicinity of the Sandy River (outside of the project area).
Severe Storms
 High winds and ice storms are the most likely cause of storm damage, causing power
outages, and occasional road closures.
 There has never been a need for shelters, but they are a consideration.
 The City was unaware if any buildings have been designated as shelters.
 Multnomah County operates a Reverse 911 system, but the protocol for emergencies
was unknown by the participants on the call.
 Severe weather data is provided by NOAA to the Public Information Officer. Protocol for
how the City gets that information to the public was unknown.
 I-84 is sometimes closed due to ice storms, and many times vehicles are forced off of
the interstate and into the city because of the road closures. This could be a potential
reason to need shelters in the future.
Flooding
 DOGAMI has been working on a Multi-Hazard Risk Project for the Mount Hood area. It is
called The Oregon Geology Study, but it has not been published yet. Earthquakes,
flooding, landslides, and other risks were studied for this project. The interactive map is
available now. Bill Burns of DOGAMI would be the contact person for this information,
when it becomes available.
 A LOMR, 11-10-1884P, is being completed for an area on north side of the city. The
SHFA will change dramatically as a result of this LOMR. This was submitted by the Sandy
Drainage Improvement Company.
 An area of major concern was annotated on the display map adjacent to an area
previously noted on the City of Wood Village conference call. This area is in the general
vicinity of Arata Creek, near the western boundary of the City. This area is at the base of
an escarpment or bench. There are also a number of springs and seeps along the
escarpment.
Risk MAP Discovery Interview – Lower Willamette - Tualatin Watersheds
City of Troutdale – August 15, 2012
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IX.
X.
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High pressure gas pipelines are in the same area. These are major pipelines. The City
was unsure if the data and maps for these pipelines are considered public information.
Williams (Co.) manages these pipelines. C. Amedzake said that because the City
compiled the data themselves, the data should be able available to be shared.
 Ponding occurs at the southern edge of Halsey Street, currently mapped as a Zone A
area on the FIRMs.
Levees
 The Sandy Drainage Improvement Company manages levees in the area, and these
structures are already mapped on the effective FIRM, showing protection for the city
from the 0.2% (500-year) annual-chance flood.
Communications and Outreach
 An annual letter is sent to SFHA residents in the city. No map is given to them but the
letter makes sure they are aware that they reside in a flood zone, and gives them
information about the NFIP and development standards. Over 100 letters are mailed
each year.
 A letter and map will be sent to all property owners affected by the upcoming LOMR,
explaining the changes to the area and the ramifications of those changes.
 The City’s Public Information Officer does community workshops and outreach at
schools regarding stormwater and flooding.
 E. McCallum is the current Floodplain Administrator. Permits are required for building
in any floodplains. Strict criteria have to be met before any building can take place in a
floodplain.
 E. McCallum has taken a class at the EMI, and she requested information about online
Elevation Certificate training.
Other
 Port of Portland and Multnomah Drainage District should be contacted before the
Discovery Meeting takes place.
 S. Lucker asked the City about the flooding shown near Marine Drive north of the
freeway, just south of the airport. This is likely contained in the ditch, shallow flooding
and is fairly insignificant. The City was unaware of any flooding that has occurred there.
The City gave S. Lucker contact information to obtain more information about this area.