1996 High Water Flood - Revision history

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* The 1996 After Action Report */

2025-09-14T20:50:49Z

The 1996 After Action Report

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:50, 14 September 2025
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	== The 1996 After Action Report ==		== The 1996 After Action Report ==
	:See also: \|[[Media:1997.12.31.High Water Flood 1996 AAR.pdf\|High Water II: February Flood of '96 AAR]]		:''See also: [[Media:1997.12.31.High Water Flood 1996 AAR.pdf\|High Water II: February Flood of '96 AAR]]''
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	~~\| style="background: lightcyan" \|'''To download a copy of the 1996 After Action Report, [https://hcpaw.portlandoregon.gov/u/9BchGB2XIXnmFyEb/0bfc21fc-5c40-4e4d-a14a-e8a7a51159f4?l CLICK HERE].~~'''
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	[[File:1996 Flood Graph.jpg\|alt=River level graph on page 11 of the original AAR document. The graph doesn't clarify the Columbia or Willamette river, only saying that readings are taken at the I-5 bridge.\|thumb\|''River level graph on page 11 of the original AAR document. The graph doesn't clarify the Columbia or Willamette river, only saying that readings are taken at the I-5 bridge.''\|350x350px]]		[[File:1996 Flood Graph.jpg\|alt=River level graph on page 11 of the original AAR document. The graph doesn't clarify the Columbia or Willamette river, only saying that readings are taken at the I-5 bridge.\|thumb\|''River level graph on page 11 of the original AAR document. The graph doesn't clarify the Columbia or Willamette river, only saying that readings are taken at the I-5 bridge.''\|350x350px]]
	[[File:Katz 96 Flood.jpg\|alt=Mayor Katz watching the 96 flood.\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Portland Mayor Vera Katz stands along "[https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23431-feb-8-1996-vera-katz-builds-her-wall.html Vera's Wall]", where volunteers filled and dropped approximately 40,000 sandbags to keep waters from topping over Waterfront Park.'']]		[[File:Katz 96 Flood.jpg\|alt=Mayor Katz watching the 96 flood.\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Portland Mayor Vera Katz stands along "[https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23431-feb-8-1996-vera-katz-builds-her-wall.html Vera's Wall]", where volunteers filled and dropped approximately 40,000 sandbags to keep waters from topping over Waterfront Park.'']]

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* The 1996 After Action Report */

2025-09-14T20:50:25Z

The 1996 After Action Report

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:50, 14 September 2025
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	== The 1996 After Action Report ==		== The 1996 After Action Report ==
			:See also: \|[[Media:1997.12.31.High Water Flood 1996 AAR.pdf\|High Water II: February Flood of '96 AAR]]
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Net@portlandoregon.gov at 20:48, 14 September 2025

2025-09-14T20:48:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:48, 14 September 2025
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	'''The February Flood of 1996 response is of interest to both NET volunteers and to the history of emergency management in Portland.''' For NET volunteers, the 1996 Flood brought the first documented NET deployment event. For Portland, it was the first major disaster response in the "modern era" of emergency management.<ref>"Modern era of emergency management" would include any major disaster since 1979, when President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order to create the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Prior to that year, disaster response at the federal level was fragmented across agencies. Portland had, of course, experienced disasters [[Historic Disasters in the Portland Metro Area\|prior to the 1996 flood]]. But it appears the flood was the incident that involved local bureaus collaborating using the Incident Command System (ICS).</ref>		'''The February Flood of 1996 response is of interest to both NET volunteers and to the history of emergency management in Portland.''' For NET volunteers, the 1996 Flood brought the first documented NET deployment event. For Portland, it was the first major disaster response in the "modern era" of emergency management.<ref>"Modern era of emergency management" would include any major disaster since 1979, when President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order to create the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Prior to that year, disaster response at the federal level was fragmented across agencies. Portland had, of course, experienced disasters [[Historic Disasters in the Portland Metro Area\|prior to the 1996 flood]]. But it appears the flood was the incident that involved local bureaus collaborating using the Incident Command System (ICS).</ref>
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Net@portlandoregon.gov at 20:48, 14 September 2025

2025-09-14T20:48:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:48, 14 September 2025
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	'''The February Flood of 1996 response is of interest to both NET volunteers and to the history of emergency management in Portland.''' For NET volunteers, the 1996 Flood brought the first documented NET deployment event. For Portland, it was the first major disaster response in the "modern era" of emergency management.<ref>"Modern era of emergency management" would include any major disaster since 1979, when President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order to create the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Prior to that year, disaster response at the federal level was fragmented across agencies. Portland had, of course, experienced disasters [[Historic Disasters in the Portland Metro Area\|prior to the 1996 flood]]. But it appears the flood was the incident that involved local bureaus collaborating using the Incident Command System (ICS).</ref>		'''The February Flood of 1996 response is of interest to both NET volunteers and to the history of emergency management in Portland.''' For NET volunteers, the 1996 Flood brought the first documented NET deployment event. For Portland, it was the first major disaster response in the "modern era" of emergency management.<ref>"Modern era of emergency management" would include any major disaster since 1979, when President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order to create the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Prior to that year, disaster response at the federal level was fragmented across agencies. Portland had, of course, experienced disasters [[Historic Disasters in the Portland Metro Area\|prior to the 1996 flood]]. But it appears the flood was the incident that involved local bureaus collaborating using the Incident Command System (ICS).</ref>
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	== NET Roles in the 1996 Flood ==		== NET Roles in the 1996 Flood ==

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* NET Roles in the 1996 Flood */

2023-12-30T00:34:35Z

NET Roles in the 1996 Flood

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:34, 29 December 2023
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	== NET Roles in the 1996 Flood ==		== NET Roles in the 1996 Flood ==
	[[File:1996.02.09.Helping Hands.jpg\|alt=Scan of an Oregonian article from February 9, 1996 featuring NETs conducting door to door public information calls about the flood.\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Scan of an Oregonian article from February 9, 1996 featuring NETs conducting door to door public information calls about the flood.'']]		[[File:1996.02.09.Helping Hands.jpg\|alt=Scan of an Oregonian article from February 9, 1996 featuring NETs conducting door to door public information calls about the flood.\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Scan of an Oregonian article from February 9, 1996 featuring NETs conducting door to door public information calls about the flood.'']]
	'''The 1996 Flood is the first documented deployment of NET volunteers.''' The Portland AAR mentions two volunteers (presumably NETs) assisting five other personnel in the EOC. Alongside spontaneous volunteers, NETs also undoubtedly helped to sandbag and erect barrier fences. However, no record recovered by PBEM says exactly how many NETs deployed. It is also unclear what dates NETs and other volunteers were deployed, but the acute deployment period ran from February 5<sup>th</sup> to February 9<sup>th</sup>.		'''The 1996 Flood is one of the first documented deployment of NET volunteers.'''<ref>The '''''first''''' known NET deployment was on December 12 of the prior year for a windstorm, but that was obviously on a smaller scale.</ref> The Portland AAR mentions two volunteers (presumably NETs) assisting five other personnel in the EOC. Alongside spontaneous volunteers, NETs also undoubtedly helped to sandbag and erect barrier fences. However, no record recovered by PBEM says exactly how many NETs deployed. It is also unclear what dates NETs and other volunteers were deployed, but the acute deployment period ran from February 5<sup>th</sup> to February 9<sup>th</sup>.

	Most notably, PF&R deployed NET volunteers to distribute information to business owners in the central eastside. ''The Oregonian'' mentioned NETs engaging in this activity [https://portlandnet.tumblr.com/post/187782471860/nets-during-the-1996-flood-net-volunteer-nicholas in an article] posted to the right on this page.		Most notably, PF&R deployed NET volunteers to distribute information to business owners in the central eastside. ''The Oregonian'' mentioned NETs engaging in this activity [https://portlandnet.tumblr.com/post/187782471860/nets-during-the-1996-flood-net-volunteer-nicholas in an article] posted to the right on this page.

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* NET Roles in the 1996 Flood */

2023-12-29T23:27:50Z

NET Roles in the 1996 Flood

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:27, 29 December 2023
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	== NET Roles in the 1996 Flood ==		== NET Roles in the 1996 Flood ==
	[[File:1996.02.09.Helping Hands.jpg\|alt=Scan of an Oregonian article from February 9, 1996 featuring NETs conducting door to door public information calls about the flood.\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Scan of an Oregonian article from February 9, 1996 featuring NETs conducting door to door public information calls about the flood.'']]		[[File:1996.02.09.Helping Hands.jpg\|alt=Scan of an Oregonian article from February 9, 1996 featuring NETs conducting door to door public information calls about the flood.\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Scan of an Oregonian article from February 9, 1996 featuring NETs conducting door to door public information calls about the flood.'']]
	'''The 1996 Flood is the first documented deployment of NET volunteers.''' The Portland AAR mentions two volunteers (presumably NETs) assisting five other personnel in the EOC. Alongside spontaneous volunteers, NETs also undoubtedly helped to sandbag and erect barrier fences. However, no record recovered by PBEM says exactly how many NETs deployed.		'''The 1996 Flood is the first documented deployment of NET volunteers.''' The Portland AAR mentions two volunteers (presumably NETs) assisting five other personnel in the EOC. Alongside spontaneous volunteers, NETs also undoubtedly helped to sandbag and erect barrier fences. However, no record recovered by PBEM says exactly how many NETs deployed. It is also unclear what dates NETs and other volunteers were deployed, but the acute deployment period ran from February 5<sup>th</sup> to February 9<sup>th</sup>.

	Most notably, PF&R deployed NET volunteers to distribute information to business owners in the central eastside. ''The Oregonian'' mentioned NETs engaging in this activity [https://portlandnet.tumblr.com/post/187782471860/nets-during-the-1996-flood-net-volunteer-nicholas in an article] posted to the right on this page.		Most notably, PF&R deployed NET volunteers to distribute information to business owners in the central eastside. ''The Oregonian'' mentioned NETs engaging in this activity [https://portlandnet.tumblr.com/post/187782471860/nets-during-the-1996-flood-net-volunteer-nicholas in an article] posted to the right on this page.

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* The 1996 After Action Report */

2023-12-24T00:50:19Z

The 1996 After Action Report

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:50, 23 December 2023
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	\|}		\|}
	[[File:1996 Flood Graph.jpg\|alt=River level graph on page 11 of the original AAR document. The graph doesn't clarify the Columbia or Willamette river, only saying that readings are taken at the I-5 bridge.\|thumb\|''River level graph on page 11 of the original AAR document. The graph doesn't clarify the Columbia or Willamette river, only saying that readings are taken at the I-5 bridge.''\|350x350px]]		[[File:1996 Flood Graph.jpg\|alt=River level graph on page 11 of the original AAR document. The graph doesn't clarify the Columbia or Willamette river, only saying that readings are taken at the I-5 bridge.\|thumb\|''River level graph on page 11 of the original AAR document. The graph doesn't clarify the Columbia or Willamette river, only saying that readings are taken at the I-5 bridge.''\|350x350px]]
			[[File:Katz 96 Flood.jpg\|alt=Mayor Katz watching the 96 flood.\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Portland Mayor Vera Katz stands along "[https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23431-feb-8-1996-vera-katz-builds-her-wall.html Vera's Wall]", where volunteers filled and dropped approximately 40,000 sandbags to keep waters from topping over Waterfront Park.'']]
	The aftermath of the 1996 flood led to discussions and efforts to improve flood management and infrastructure resilience in the affected areas. It remains an important event in Oregon's history, highlighting the impact of severe weather on communities and the need for preparedness and response measures.		The aftermath of the 1996 flood led to discussions and efforts to improve flood management and infrastructure resilience in the affected areas. It remains an important event in Oregon's history, highlighting the impact of severe weather on communities and the need for preparedness and response measures.

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	\|The EMC will be asked to address this issue at their own bureau level.		\|The EMC will be asked to address this issue at their own bureau level.
	\|}		\|}
	[[File:Katz 96 Flood.jpg\|alt=Mayor Katz watching the 96 flood.\|float\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Portland Mayor Vera Katz stands along "[https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23431-feb-8-1996-vera-katz-builds-her-wall.html Vera's Wall]", where volunteers filled and dropped approximately 40,000 sandbags to keep waters from topping over Waterfront Park.'']]

	=== Other AAR callouts concerning volunteers ===		=== Other AAR callouts concerning volunteers ===

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* The 1996 After Action Report */

2023-12-24T00:49:37Z

The 1996 After Action Report

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:49, 23 December 2023
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	\|The EMC will be asked to address this issue at their own bureau level.		\|The EMC will be asked to address this issue at their own bureau level.
	\|}		\|}
	[[File:Katz 96 Flood.jpg\|alt=Mayor Katz watching the 96 flood.\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Portland Mayor Vera Katz stands along "[https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23431-feb-8-1996-vera-katz-builds-her-wall.html Vera's Wall]", where volunteers filled and dropped approximately 40,000 sandbags to keep waters from topping over Waterfront Park.'']]		[[File:Katz 96 Flood.jpg\|alt=Mayor Katz watching the 96 flood.\|float\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Portland Mayor Vera Katz stands along "[https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23431-feb-8-1996-vera-katz-builds-her-wall.html Vera's Wall]", where volunteers filled and dropped approximately 40,000 sandbags to keep waters from topping over Waterfront Park.'']]

	=== Other AAR callouts concerning volunteers ===		=== Other AAR callouts concerning volunteers ===

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* Other AAR callouts concerning volunteers */

2023-12-24T00:47:11Z

Other AAR callouts concerning volunteers

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:47, 23 December 2023
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	\|The EMC will be asked to address this issue at their own bureau level.		\|The EMC will be asked to address this issue at their own bureau level.
	\|}		\|}
			[[File:Katz 96 Flood.jpg\|alt=Mayor Katz watching the 96 flood.\|thumb\|350x350px\|''Portland Mayor Vera Katz stands along "[https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23431-feb-8-1996-vera-katz-builds-her-wall.html Vera's Wall]", where volunteers filled and dropped approximately 40,000 sandbags to keep waters from topping over Waterfront Park.'']]

	=== Other AAR callouts concerning volunteers ===		=== Other AAR callouts concerning volunteers ===
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	== References and Notes ==		== References and Notes ==
			<references />

Net@portlandoregon.gov: /* The 1996 After Action Report */

2023-12-24T00:37:25Z

The 1996 After Action Report

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:37, 23 December 2023
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	The aftermath of the 1996 flood led to discussions and efforts to improve flood management and infrastructure resilience in the affected areas. It remains an important event in Oregon's history, highlighting the impact of severe weather on communities and the need for preparedness and response measures.		The aftermath of the 1996 flood led to discussions and efforts to improve flood management and infrastructure resilience in the affected areas. It remains an important event in Oregon's history, highlighting the impact of severe weather on communities and the need for preparedness and response measures.

	The Portland AAR from the flood is itself a telling piece of work in the respect that AAR recommendations ~~are~~ nearly identical to ~~AAR~~ recommendations often seen in City of Portland ~~AAR recommendations~~ in decades since. The table below summarizes the report findings. Boxes highlighted in yellow indicate a plan item that ultimately contributed to the development of Portland NET.		The Portland AAR from the flood is itself a telling piece of work in the respect that the AAR recommendations/improvement plan is nearly identical to recommendations often seen in City of Portland AARs in decades since. The table below summarizes the report findings. Boxes highlighted in yellow indicate a plan item that ultimately contributed to the development of Portland NET.
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