Trail, Ore. – A landslide caused by recent flooding has left a Trail family shaken after a portion of their property was swept away, blocking access to their home and raising concerns for the future of the property.
Rylie Bacon, who had traveled from Portland to visit her grandmother, arrived in Trail to find that half of the yard had collapsed into a ravine, leaving the driveway impassable. The landslide, which occurred last week, caused significant damage, making it impossible to drive up to the house.
“We showed up to her property and half of the yard just completely collapsed over the driveway,” Rylie said. “We couldn’t even get to her house by car, so we had to walk around it in the area that was still intact in order to get to her house.”
Upon telling her grandmother about the damage, Rylie discovered that the elderly woman had not been aware of the landslide. “When we showed up and said, ‘What happened to your yard?’ she says, ‘What are you talking about?’” Rylie explained. “She had no idea.”
While the house itself seemed to have sustained minimal damage, the situation raised serious concerns about the stability of the property. Floodwaters had pooled around the backyard pool and seeped underneath the house, adding to the stress. “There was water going underneath the house,” Rylie said. “It was coming from all corners, and the dirt around the pool was filled to the brim with water.”
The family quickly took action, enlisting the help of relatives and equipment to clear the driveway. “It was a really scary situation, and I’m glad we were there to help,” Rylie said. “We were able to get the driveway cleared within two days.”
Despite the immediate efforts to address the damage, the family remains concerned about the long-term stability of the property. “It could be a matter of time before their house finally, you know, collapses at some point,” Rylie noted.
In response to recent flooding in the region, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has urged homeowners and renters to file flood insurance claims as soon as possible. The agency emphasized the importance of contacting insurance providers quickly, documenting damage, and keeping detailed records to ensure a smoother claims process.
For those affected by flooding, the OEM advises staying in close communication with insurance adjusters and seeking guidance on the next steps in the recovery process.
For Rylie and her family, the immediate priority is the safety of their loved ones and the restoration of their property. “We’re just trying to get everyone safe and make sure they’re okay,” Rylie said. “It’s a crazy situation, and we’re just grateful no one was hurt.”
As the situation unfolds, the family faces the difficult task of navigating the uncertainty of what lies ahead, while hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.