Clackamas County is still reeling from last week’s flood, and many of our neighbors are facing serious, long-term recovery challenges. CCVOAD (Clackamas County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) is working closely with partners to assess unmet needs and identify where community support can make the greatest impact. This blog shares what we know so far, the challenges ahead, and how you can help residents recover and rebuild.
How the Flood Is Impacting Clackamas County
The recent flood left many families in urgent need of housing and recovery support. Residents across Clackamas County are now navigating damage to their homes, disruptions to daily life, and uncertainty about what comes next. Many of those impacted are vulnerable populations who already face barriers to stable housing and access to services.
CCVOAD is actively assessing unmet needs and coordinating with partners to support impacted households. While some residents have FEMA flood insurance and will eventually see repairs or replacement of their homes, the recovery process will likely take months. During this time, families must still find safe places to live, pay their existing bills, and cope with the emotional toll of disaster.
The Challenge: Gaps in Housing and Support
Even when residents have FEMA flood insurance, critical gaps remain that put additional strain on already vulnerable households. Two key challenges are emerging for Clackamas County residents affected by the flood:
- Residents with FEMA flood insurance do not qualify for separate housing assistance, yet must continue paying their mortgages and cannot afford additional housing costs.
- Some residents may require other essential services and lack the resources or finances to cover these gaps in their recovery.
These challenges can quickly compound, especially for households already living on the edge. Without community support, families may face prolonged displacement, debt, and heightened instability long after the floodwaters recede.
How CCVOAD’s Unmet Needs Roundtable Helps
To address these gaps, CCVOAD is activating its Unmet Needs Roundtable to provide targeted, equitable assistance to impacted households. The Unmet Needs Roundtable brings together member organizations that review individual assistance requests and ensure resources are directed where they are needed most.
This collaborative model allows community partners to:
- Coordinate funding and services to avoid duplication and maximize impact.
- Prioritize vulnerable populations facing the most significant barriers to recovery.
- Make fair, transparent decisions about assistance based on documented needs.
Every dollar directed through the Unmet Needs Roundtable goes toward helping real families bridge the gap between what insurance and federal programs can provide and what they truly need to recover.
Become a Community Resilience Partner
Community recovery is most effective when organizations, agencies, and local leaders work together. CCVOAD is inviting community partners to deepen their involvement in flood recovery and long-term resilience efforts in Clackamas County.
If your organization is interested in supporting disaster response, housing stability, case management, or wraparound services, we encourage you to connect with CCVOAD. By becoming a partner, you can:
- Join a countywide network focused on coordinated disaster recovery.
- Share your expertise and resources where they can have the greatest impact.
- Help shape long-term resilience strategies for Clackamas County communities.
To learn more about becoming a CCVOAD partner, visit
www.ccvoad.org
or reach out directly using the contact information below.
Donate to Support Flood Recovery in Clackamas County
Right now, community action is urgently needed to support residents who are struggling with housing costs, essential services, and long-term recovery needs. CCVOAD is requesting donations to provide direct disaster relief funding to impacted households in Clackamas County.
All donations received for this effort will be directly programmed through the CCVOAD Unmet Needs Roundtable. Member organizations on the roundtable carefully review each assistance request to ensure funds are distributed equitably and effectively. Your contribution helps families:
- Cover temporary housing or related costs while their homes are repaired.
- Access essential services that may not be fully covered by insurance.
- Stabilize during a stressful and uncertain recovery period.
If you are a funder, donor, or community member who wants to make a tangible difference for flood-impacted residents, we invite you to support this work. Please visit
www.ccvoad.org
to learn more about giving options, or contact CCVOAD directly to discuss how your organization can contribute.
Contact CCVOAD
Thank you for your commitment to helping our Clackamas County neighbors recover from this devastating flood. Together, we can ensure that vulnerable households are not left behind as the community rebuilds.
For questions about donations, partnership opportunities, or the Unmet Needs Roundtable, please contact:
Pat Olsen
President, ORVOAD
Executive Director, CCVOAD
Email: PatOlsen@ccvoad.org
Website: www.ccvoad.org