Oregon Communities Will Receive FEMA Aid

FEMA says damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

The rail line in Tillamook washed away by floods Photo courtesy: Oregon Civil Air Patrol

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - President Bush declared today that a major disaster exists in the State of Oregon and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on December 1st and continuing.

The request was made this week by Governor Ted Kulongoski after several regions in Oregon went underwater under the heavy rains.

The federal government says federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in the counties of Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, Tillamook, and Yamhill for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

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R. David Paulison, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Glen R. Sachtleben as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA says damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.