President Trump approves Oregon request for major disaster declaration
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- President Trump on Tuesday approved Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's request for a major disaster declaration due to the state's deadly wildfires, clearing the way for more extensive federal assistance.
The governor and other officials were informed of the approval Tuesday afternoon.
The White House initially approved an emergency declaration last Thursday night, at the governor's request, to step up federal involvement in needed assistance.
Here's the Federal Emergency Management Agency's announcement, issued Tuesday:
WASHINGTON D.C. - FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Oregon to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and straight-line winds beginning on Sept. 7, 2020 and continuing.
The President's action 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 funding is also available to state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures including congregate and non-congregate sheltering and direct federal assistance.
Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance through FEMA’s Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding. This assistance is for Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill counties.
Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Dolph A. Diemont has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response and recovery operations in the affected area. Designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.
News release from Rep. Greg Walden:
Greg Walden Statement on President Trump’s Rapid Approval of Major Disaster Declaration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released a statement applauding President Trump’s rapid approval of Oregon’s Major Disaster Declaration. This news comes just one day after Walden spoke with President Trump where he showed the President photos of the devastation in Oregon and urged him to quickly approve the state’s Major Disaster Declaration.
"On Monday, I spoke with President Trump and urged swift approval of Oregon’s Major Disaster Declaration and I am grateful for his quick response. This declaration will help make available assistance to individuals to help the fire devastated communities across the state recover and rebuild. The tragic wildfires in Oregon mean we all need to work together to help those who have lost so much. We will recover and rebuild and come back stronger - that is the Oregon way,” said Walden.
Yesterday, Walden also joined the Oregon Delegation in sending a letter to President Trump further urging the need to swiftly approve this Major Disaster Declaration. These funds will help individuals, the community, and the state recover and rebuild
Individuals in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion Counties can register with FEMA the following ways:
Apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov
Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
- For more information on individual assistance, click here.
- For more information on public assistance, click here.
For more information on FEMA and additional wildfire resources, click here.
