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Oregon 2021 Winter Storm

On May 4, the Federal government declared a Major Disaster Declaration for the February 2021 winter storm, releasing Federal funds in the Public Assistance program to help communities recover. The Public Assistance program is supplementary federal financial assistance to local and state, special districts, certain private non-profits and federally-recognized Indian tribes from the impact of a disaster. The supplementary funding is no less than 75 percent federal share of the eligible cost to remove debris, provide emergency protective measures and repair or replace damaged public infrastructure. Public assistance does not provide assistance for the direct benefit of individuals, families or businesses. Review the Public Assistance Application briefing for more information.

Eligible applicants include special districts (as listed in Oregon Revised Statute 198), school districts, local governments, state agencies, and certain private nonprofits that have incurred cost for response activities and/or have sustained facility damage as a direct result of the event. PNPs are those entities that provide a governmental type service, and have a 501(c), (d) or (e) tax exemption status.

The Federal share of assistance is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration cost.

Oregon Wildfire Recovery

A Presidential Disaster Declaration was approved on Sept. 15, 2020, for the broad scope of wildfire activity that engulfed large parts of Oregon beginning Sept. 7 and ongoing. The declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Marion counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal assistance through FEMA’s Public Assistance program is available to Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill counties.

FEMA has made available a notice to the public of its intent to reimburse eligible applicants for eligible costs to repair and/or replace facilities damaged by the multiple wildfires and straight-line winds from this disaster. This notice applies to the Public Assistance (PA), Individual Assistance (IA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant (HMGP) programs implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207.

Information on Oregon Wildfire Recovery is available at https://wildfire.oregon.gov.

Oregon COVID-19 Response

Oregon received a Presidential Disaster Declaration on March 28, 2020 to help fight COVID-19 in the state. Governor Kate Brown declared a State of Emergency on February 7, 2020. The declaration grants broad authority to the State Public Health Director, OHA and OEM to take immediate action and devote all available state resources towards containing the coronavirus in Oregon.

Oregonians are encouraged to practice good hygiene measures such as handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and adhere to coughing and sneezing etiquette. A dashboard has been created to track the latest COVID-19 cases in Oregon. For an overview other COVID-19 information in our state, visit https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19.