Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in Jefferson County under Executive Order 25-23 due to ongoing drought conditions. Jefferson is one of eight Oregon counties to reach this status in 2025, with the U.S. Drought Monitor showing conditions worsening from moderate to severe since mid-July, according to the Office of the Governor.
The drought, tracked with tools such as the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index, has lasted for months and may continue up to a year. The emergency order allows state assistance, including faster Water Resources Department reviews and reduced fees for local water users, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
Governor Tina Kotek has declared a drought in Jefferson County for 2025, based on recommendations from the Oregon Water Supply Availability Committee and the State Drought Council. The declaration, made under Oregon Revised Statutes 536.740, allows the use of emergency resources. State, local, and federal agencies, including the Oregon Water Resources Department and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, will coordinate to monitor and respond to conditions, as stated by the Office of the Governor.
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