By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle
In a rare show of unity, all eight members of Oregon’s congressional delegation urged the White House to declare a major disaster in Oregon following the devastating January ice storm that killed 17 people and pummeled much of the state.
The appeal to President Joe Biden by both Democrats and Republicans follows a formal request earlier this week by Gov. Tina Kotek on behalf of the state and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.
If approved, the declaration would unleash recovery and relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the state, tribe, local governments and certain nonprofits in the 11 counties affected by the storm. Oregon’s Department of Emergency Management estimates the storm caused $48 million in infrastructure damage and cost more than 1,350 businesses $165 million in lost revenue and wages.
In addition to Lincoln County, others included in the request were Benton, Clackamas, Coos, Hood River, Lane, Linn, Multnomah, Tillamook, Sherman and Wasco counties.
“The recent storm’s effects stretched from northwest Oregon, across the Portland metro area, into the Columbia River Gorge and down through the Willamette Valley. Effects of this storm have lasted from January 10, 2024 to January 22, 2024 – with temperatures remaining below freezing in several areas – and resulted in widespread damage,” wrote Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas, Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Cliff Bentz.
The storm downed trees that damaged or destroyed utility poles and lines, cutting power and internet service and damaging roadways and wastewater treatment plants. The storm also impeded emergency responders and forced elderly and medically vulnerable people to find shelter. At the height of the storm, nearly 240,000 people were without power, and some areas had no electricity for 13 days.
The storm required emergency services to whip into action, clearing debris and providing other help while requiring longer-term work, such as restoring roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, utilities and parks and recreational facilities, Chris Crabb, spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, told the Capital Chronicle.
Kotek said in her request that communities are still grappling with the storm’s impact.
“Many are still struggling to recover from severe damage to public infrastructure and property as a result of the storm, and I am resolved to ensure that Oregon can access FEMA resources that exist for this very purpose,” Kotek said.
The delegation repeated that message.
“Given the impact these storms have had on both the physical and social infrastructure throughout Oregon, we urge you and your administration to ensure the state, local, and tribal governments have all the resources they need to help Oregonians recover from this deadly natural disaster,” the congressional members said.
Crabb declined to estimate how much Oregon might receive from FEMA. She said it reimburses costs and depends on the applications.
“The goal is to meet the needs of those who apply for reimbursement,” Crabb said.
The Central Lincoln People’s Utility District told YachatsNews it estimates spending $2.5 million making repairs and restoring service to its customers in Lincoln and Lane counties. The Oregon Department of Transportation estimates it has spent $1.7 million so far cleaning up damage along Highways 20 and 229 in Lincoln County and Highways 126 and 36 in coastal Lane County.
FEMA usually takes six weeks to respond. In the meantime, the Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans for businesses affected by the storms. Applications are due by Nov. 8.
- YachatsNews contributed to this report