Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek is doubling down on efforts to secure federal aid following the devastating March storms that left several counties reeling, submitting an appeal to President Trump after a disappointing denial of vital funding, as per a recent announcement from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM). In the wake of destruction across Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Josephine counties, the state seeks Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds critical for recovery efforts and reinforcing long-term disaster resilience.
While expressing gratitude for the Public Assistance authorized for the affected counties, state officials are clear that without the denied Individual Assistance and hazard mitigation funding, critical support is unnervingly absent for those in dire need, "Federal support is not just warranted — it is essential to restore safe housing, protect public health and reduce the risk of future disasters," OEM Director Erin McMahon reiterated, their communities are resilient, and with the help of their local leadership and the state have begun the recovery process but they cannot recover alone. Catastrophic flooding and landslides from March 13-20 resulted in emergency services responding to over 1,100 calls in a 24-hour window, underscoring the urgent need for federal intervention.
The lack of federal assistance hits hardest at the local level, with hundreds of homes damaged or destroyed, and less than 2 percent covered by flood insurance. Survivors, particularly the elderly, low-income, or disabled, find themselves displaced into RVs, with relatives or in unsafe living conditions. An inadequate $1.44 million in disaster loans from the Small Business Administration offers little reprieve; many survivors do not qualify or cannot afford repayment, and it's a paltry sum against the backdrop of large county financial deficits and the state's already stretched resources bearing the brunt of consecutive wildfire seasons.
Securing Individual Assistance is seen as a lifeline for those grappling with unsafe and unsanitary conditions, while Hazard Mitigation funds are pivotal in supporting rural communities too limited in contractors and resources to rebuild effectively, Oregon's successful track record with mitigation projects in Reedsport and other communities stands as a reminder of the long-term fiscal and safety benefits that FEMA itself has pegged as saving $6 for every $1 invested in mitigation. The appeal highlights priority mitigation projects, including home buyouts and restorations, streambank restoration works, and infrastructure protection around vital assets such as the Roseburg trunk line and Douglas Electric substation, demonstrating the planning and forethought already put into ensuring that the state's resilience can be more than just an abstract ideal.
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