Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has stepped up to formally request a Presidential Disaster Declaration in response to the devastating floods that swept through parts of the state earlier this year. Governor Kotek's call for federal aid aims to assist the recovery efforts in Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Harney Counties, areas hard-hit by the natural disaster, where communities are in the throes of trying to rebuild their lives and infrastructure.
In a statement, Governor Kotek acknowledged the resilience of these communities, highlighting how residents supported each other during the critical phases of the disaster. "Although this disaster hit some of the most economically vulnerable communities of our state, residents had each other’s back and got through the initial emergency. But they can't do recovery alone," she said, according to a press release from Oregon's government newsroom. The request for federal support includes public assistance to repair roads, buildings, and utilities, as well as individual assistance for families displaced by the floodwaters and funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for statewide resilience projects.
The severity of the floods, resulting from a mix of severe storms, rapid snowmelt, and record-level rainfall between mid-March and mid-April, did not spare regional infrastructure. Homes, businesses, and utilities suffered across the battered counties, with long-term effects being felt by many. The Governor's office shared that Oregon's Department of Emergency Management Director, Erin McMahon, reiterated the importance of federal aid, especially for Harney County, which also faced wildfires the previous year. "This is the second major disaster Harney County has faced in a year, following wildfires in 2024," McMahon said. "With limited local capacity, federal resources are essential to help these communities recover and to prevent future devastation."
Action from the Governor's office began as early as March 17, when a state of emergency was declared in response to flooding and landslides in Southern Oregon
