PORTLAND, Oregon — There is now federal support available for recovery efforts for Oregonians impacted by the January winter storms.
President Biden has approved Oregon's disaster declaration. This makes federal funding available to state, tribal and local governments plus some nonprofits to help repair and replace facilities damaged by the storm.
Back in January, Gov. Tina Kotek's office announced the statewide declaration in order for counties in Oregon to access federal resources and support to help respond to winter weather damage.
On Sunday, Gov. Kotek announced that President Biden approved her request for a federal major disaster declaration, in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Act on behalf of the State of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.
The Stafford Act is the federal law that governs how FEMA allocates disaster relief funding. The state emergency declaration could lead to individual federal assistance for people whose homes were damaged, McMahon said, but it will depend on the level of individual damage that the state reports to FEMA. If the damage is sufficiently widespread, it could trigger a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which would make the Stafford Act funding available.
In a statement, Gov. Kotek reacted to the approval of her request, “I am grateful to President Biden for answering our call for help following the January ice and wind emergency and to our federal delegation for amplifying this critical need,” Gov. Kotek said. “This opportunity for federal assistance will make a significant difference across communities that are still grappling with significant damage from the storm.”
PHOTOS: Downed trees across Oregon as winter storm hits
In February, Portland city officials announced storm relief for small businesses that incurred damages from January's weeklong snow and ice storm. Through the Restore Grant Program, small businesses or nonprofits can claim up to $25,000 in eligible expenses, including repairs, inventory loss from food spoiled in power outages, equipment damages and any revenue loss from needing to be closed from Jan. 12 to 20. After the storm, approximately 60% of western Oregon restaurants were in danger of failing when forced to shut down for a week.
The city of Portland also launched an online tool for property owners and tenants to report damage to buildings. During the January storms, fallen trees were all around Portland and many of them caused severe damage to homes.
Many school facilities were damaged including campuses in Portland Public Schools. Robert Gray Middle School and Markham Elementary School in Southwest Portland were extensively damaged during January's winter storms.