OREGON, USA — Gov. Tina Kotek has declared a state of emergency in Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson and Tillamook counties after a series of storms damaged multiple roads and state highways in December.
The state of emergency, issued under Executive Order 24-01, directs the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to provide financial assistance and seek federal aid to support recovery in the five counties.
“This emergency declaration will give ODOT the ability to seek federal resources to aid in the long-term recovery effort,” said Kotek in a Thursday statement. "I am grateful to the local leaders, service providers and state agency personnel who partnered in quickly assessing the damage and providing immediate aid for community members left vulnerable by these storms.”
In December, the storms brought heavy rain, flooding, landslides and erosion to the areas, damaging streets and rendering some roadways impassable. Multiple counties issued flood watches and warnings.
The storms caused two roads in Tillamook County, Miami Foley and Sandlake, to collapse, as well as temporarily closing State Highways 101 and 26. Landslides also stalled Amtrak train service between Portland and Seattle.
Portland homeowners contended with flooding and road closures during the deluge, and in Tillamook County, flooding displaced multiple homeless residents.
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