Fanno Creek cuts diagonally through Tigard on its way from the West Hills to the Tualatin River, and much of the city's stormwater planning revolves around it. The creek drains a watershed that is almost entirely paved, roofed or landscaped, so a heavy winter rain reaches it quickly. Add the slow-moving Tualatin to the south, and the low ground near both streams is where flooding, saturated crawl spaces and seepage tend to show up.
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Fanno Creek's Path Across Tigard
Fanno Creek runs about 15 miles from the West Hills through Portland, Beaverton, Tigard and Durham. Its watershed covers 31.7 square miles and is nearly all urban, which means far less ground to soak up rain than there was before development. The watershed saw significant flooding in 1977, and nearly half of the area's annual precipitation, roughly 50 inches, falls between November and January.
Inside the city it is the main drainage line, and tributaries such as Ash Creek and Summer Creek join it along the way. Properties along these corridors are the most likely to see water in yards, garages and lower levels during prolonged storms. Water from a creek counts as contaminated, so flood cleanup includes removing soaked porous materials and disinfecting before drying.
The Tualatin River's Slow Rise
The lower Tualatin is a sluggish river that drops only about 250 feet over its last 71 miles. It drains slowly, so after a run of atmospheric-river storms it can stay high for days, and creeks that feed it back up as a result. The record flow came on February 10, 1996, when the river reached 26,400 cubic feet per second at the West Linn gauge, far above its average of roughly 1,465.
Homes on the southern edge of Tigard, closer to the river, should check FEMA's flood maps rather than assume they are outside a hazard zone. Flood insurance is a separate policy from homeowners coverage and generally has a waiting period, so it needs to be in place well before the wet season.
Houses From the 1960s Onward: Typical Failure Points
Tigard incorporated in 1961 and grew to about 49,000 people by 2013, so much of the housing dates from the decades after incorporation. That stock has its own common trouble spots:
- Water heaters in garages and closets reaching the end of their service life and leaking at the base.
- Older supply lines and shutoff valves under sinks and toilets that fail without warning.
- Roof flashing and skylights on older roofs letting wind-driven rain into attics.
- Crawl spaces with damaged vapor barriers where water from a plumbing leak pools unseen.
Fixing the source is a plumber's or roofer's job; the restoration side is extracting water and running structural drying until framing and subfloor read dry.
Mold in Damp Walls and Crawl Spaces
Gray, wet winters keep humidity high, so a house that gets wet in December does not dry on its own. Wood, drywall and carpet pad that stay damp past a day or two can start growing mold. The risk is highest in places that are rarely checked: crawl spaces, the back of a cabinet under a slow drain, or the insulation above a leaking skylight.
If growth is already visible, mold remediation typically means isolating the area, removing affected material, cleaning what can be saved, and correcting the moisture problem behind it.
Reporting Flooding and Clogged Storm Drains
The City of Tigard's stormwater program is funded by a fee that pays for erosion control, water quality work and flood prevention. Residents can report street flooding and clogged storm drains to Public Works at 503-718-2591, the same number the city lists for emergencies. Clean Water Services runs the regional sewer and stormwater system for urban Washington County. For damage inside your home, call our line and an independent provider will take it from there. Neighbors just north in Beaverton share the same creek system.
Areas In and Around Tigard
Calls come in from across Tigard, including:
- Downtown Tigard
- Washington Square
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
Questions From Tigard Property Owners
Who do I call in Tigard about a flooded street or blocked storm drain?
The city asks residents to report flooding and clogged storm drains to Tigard Public Works at 503-718-2591, which it also lists for emergencies. Clearing leaves off the grate in front of your house during a storm can help, if it is safe. For water already inside the home, a restoration provider can extract it and start drying.
Can Fanno Creek flood homes that are not right next to it?
Most flooding stays close to the creek and its tributaries, but heavy storms can also overwhelm local drainage and send water toward low lots and garages a few blocks away. The watershed saw significant flooding in 1977. Check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and remember that standard homeowners insurance usually excludes overland flooding.
My garage water heater leaked into the house. Is that covered?
A sudden water heater failure is often covered by homeowners policies, while slow leaks over time or wear-and-tear may not be. Stop the water at the heater's cold supply valve, shut off its power or gas, photograph the damage and call your insurer. Extraction should start quickly, since water from a garage can wick into adjoining drywall and flooring.