Washington County Declares State of Emergency for OR Hwy 6 Landslide Damage

Washington County has declared a State of Emergency in response to severe damage to Oregon Highway 6 caused by a landslide during the December 18 winter storm.

The highway is currently restricted to one lane for approximately 11 miles within Washington County, creating significant challenges for residents, businesses, and emergency services.

“OR 6 plays a vital role in connecting our communities and supporting commerce,” said Washington County Board Chair Kathryn Harrington. “This emergency declaration underscores the importance of this route to our economy and quality of life. We are committed to working with ODOT and state leaders to ensure repairs are completed quickly and that long-term safety improvements remain a priority.”

OR 6 is an economic lifeline connecting the Oregon Coast to Washington County and the Portland metro area. It is essential for freight movement, tourism, and daily commuting. With no convenient alternative routes, closures and lane restrictions disrupt daily life. Families face longer commutes, emergency responses can be delayed, and businesses lose critical access to customers and supply chains. These impacts ripple across the regional economy.

“This declaration does two critical things,” said District 4 Washington County Board Commissioner Jerry Willey. “First, it urges the Governor and Legislature to access any available federal funds to support long-term safety improvements. Second, it calls on state leaders to prioritize OR 6 for state and federal funding to implement the safety improvements recommended in the 2023 OR 6 Corridor Study. Our residents and businesses depend on this route every day, and we need action now.”

Although OR 6 is an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) facility, Washington County is stepping up to show support for ODOT’s repair efforts and advocate for long-term safety improvements. The Board urges the Governor and Legislature to prioritize funding for stabilization projects identified in the OR 6 Wilson River Highway Corridor Study (2023), which outlined 18 unstable slopes and recommended significant investment to improve safety.

This declaration will remain in effect through April 6, 2026.