Oregon homeowner guide

Main water shutoff

At the meter or wall entry. Know both the meter-side curb stop (operated with a special wrench) and the interior shutoff. Post-earthquake pipe failures require immediate shutoff action.

Gas shutoff: earthquake preparedness priority

NW Natural or Cascade Natural Gas serves most of Oregon. Know the meter shutoff location and keep a wrench accessible. A Cascadia earthquake will likely rupture gas lines across western Oregon; shutoff knowledge could save your home from fire after the earthquake. NW Natural: 1-800-422-4012. Cascade Natural Gas: 1-888-522-1130.

Crawl space condition (western OR)

Portland and Willamette Valley homes predominantly have crawl spaces. Western Oregon's moisture makes crawl space inspection at move-in essential: look for standing water, vapor barriers, mold on joists, and pest activity. A wet crawl space is an ongoing structural problem in Oregon's climate.

Gutter and roof drainage

Portland averages 36 inches of rain, concentrated in 8 months. Clean gutters in October and March. Downspouts must function properly; clogged gutters in Portland's wet season cause fascia rot, foundation water intrusion, and roof damage.

Mold monitoring

Western Oregon's mild, damp climate grows mold in any moisture intrusion. Monthly check under sinks, in bathrooms, in crawl space access areas. A musty smell means action is needed immediately.

Eastern OR and Cascades interface communities

Eastern Oregon (Bend, Klamath Falls, La Grande) and Cascades interface communities (Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford) face serious wildfire risk. The 2020 Labor Day fires burned entire towns (Talent, Phoenix, Malden, Detroit). Establish 30-foot defensible space, screen vents, know two evacuation routes.

Post-winter roof and exterior inspection

Western OR roofs accumulate moss and algae during the wet season. Annual professional roof inspection in spring: inspect for moss infiltration under shingles, deteriorated flashing, and damaged gutters from winter storms.

Oregon's catastrophic fire history

The 2020 Oregon fires burned 1.2 million acres and destroyed entire communities in a single week under extreme east wind conditions. Monitor ODF (Oregon Department of Forestry) fire danger ratings. Know your evacuation level (Level 1 = Be Ready, Level 2 = Be Set, Level 3 = Go Now) before fire season begins.

Eastern OR drought and heat

Eastern Oregon summers are hot and dry. Medford reaches 100-110°F. Service AC before summer. Know your cooling center location.

Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake preparation

Western Oregon coastal and Willamette Valley communities face the same CSZ risk as Washington. Secure water heater and furnace. Anchor furniture. Store 2-week emergency supplies. Know tsunami evacuation routes for coastal communities.

Wet season supply preparation

Stock 7 days of supplies before October. PGE ice storms and wind events cause multi-day outages regularly in the Portland metro.

CSZ preparation is Oregon's most important long-term action

Secure all tall furniture, appliances, and the water heater. Store 2 weeks of food, water (1 gallon/person/day), medications, and first aid supplies. Oregon has a ShakeAlert early warning system. Sign up and know what to do when it alerts.

Crawl space encapsulation

Oregon's wet climate makes open crawl space vapor barriers insufficient for many homes. Full crawl space encapsulation with a thick liner and dehumidification dramatically reduces moisture and mold risk in western Oregon homes.

Coastal tsunami evacuation

Oregon's coast has marked tsunami evacuation routes. Know if your home or destination is in a tsunami inundation zone. A CSZ earthquake produces a tsunami that reaches the coast in 15-30 minutes; you will feel the ground shaking. Move to high ground immediately, don't wait for official warning.

Level 3 Go Now: leave immediately

Oregon's evacuation levels: Level 1 (Be Ready), Level 2 (Be Set to leave), Level 3 (Go NOW). When Level 3 is issued: leave immediately. 2020 proved that fires can overtake communities in hours under east wind conditions.

Drop, Cover, Hold On, then immediate gas shutoff assessment

Drop to hands and knees. Cover under a sturdy table or against an interior wall. Hold on until shaking stops. After: immediately smell for gas. If detected: everyone out, leave door open, call 911 from outside. Move to high ground if near the coast.

Shut off and drain

Main water off at meter. Open all faucets. Post-earthquake: do not attempt repairs until structure is confirmed safe and gas is off. Oregon ice event plumber wait times: 48-72 hours in Portland metro.

Crawl space and grade-level flooding

Do not enter flooded spaces if electrical equipment is submerged. Call Portland General Electric (1-800-544-1795) or Pacific Power (1-877-508-5088) to disconnect at the meter. Pump out, dry immediately. Western OR moisture accelerates mold.

Ice storm and windstorm extended outages

Portland ice storms cause multi-day outages (2024 ice storm affected hundreds of thousands). Portland General Electric: 1-800-544-1795. Pacific Power: 1-877-508-5088. Idaho Power (eastern OR border): 1-800-488-6151. Generator outside only, 20+ feet from windows.

Evacuate and call from outside

Rotten egg smell: everyone out. Leave door open. Call 911. NW Natural: 1-800-422-4012. Cascade Natural Gas: 1-888-522-1130. Do not re-enter until cleared.

Two exits, meet outside, never re-enter

Two ways out of every room. Outdoor meeting place. Crawl under smoke. Call 911. Never go back inside.