Flooding Closes Multiple Roads in Western Washington County

Emergency crews respond to rescue people stranded in high water as heavy rain prompts flood watch

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:04am

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After a day of heavy rain, western Washington County is experiencing multiple road closures due to flooding as of Thursday, March 12, according to the county's road closure and traffic advisory site. Emergency crews responded to rescue two people trapped in a car stranded by floodwaters on Rock Creek Boulevard near Hillsboro. No injuries have been reported, and a Flood Watch is in effect through 11 p.m. Friday, March 13, with over an inch of rain forecast.

Why it matters

Flooding can pose serious risks to public safety, disrupt transportation, and cause property damage. This incident highlights the need for emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the face of extreme weather events, which are expected to become more frequent due to climate change.

The details

In Gaston, both Bates Road between Old Highway 47 and Patton Valley Road and Gaston Road between Main Street and Spring Hill Road remain closed because of flooding as of 4 p.m. Rock Creek Boulevard near Hillsboro also experienced an emergency road closure between Chemult Place and Rock Creek Drive. Around 2 p.m., emergency crews were dispatched to the area to assist two people trapped in a car stranded by floodwaters.

  • On Thursday, March 12, multiple roads in western Washington County were closed due to flooding.
  • A Flood Watch is in effect through 11 p.m. Friday, March 13, with over an inch of rain forecast.

The players

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue

The local fire and rescue department that responded to the incident on Rock Creek Boulevard to assist the people trapped in the car.

Washington County

The county government that maintains the road closure and traffic advisory site and is responsible for maintaining the affected roads.

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What’s next

Washington County officials will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on road closures and traffic alerts as the heavy rain and flooding continue.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of heeding weather warnings, avoiding flooded roads, and having emergency preparedness plans in place to ensure public safety during extreme weather events.