SALEM, OR – Clackamas County has joined Douglas County, Oregon, as recent eligible entities for Federal disaster assistance as a result of the severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides and mudslides occurring Dec. 6-23, 2015, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

A total of 14 Oregon counties including Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties, are covered under the disaster declaration signed by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2016. FEMA’s Public Assistance program offers supplemental financial assistance on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities in designated counties. The program also provides an opportunity for mitigation projects that protect damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for certain hazard mitigation measures.

“The addition of Clackamas County to the declaration underscores the collaborative effort of the State of Oregon, Clackamas County and FEMA,” said Clint Fella, state coordinating officer at Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management. “The rapid response to the appeal indicates how diligently FEMA is working on our behalf and also points to the level of cooperation and teamwork achieved on this disaster. We are thrilled to see Clackamas County receive this aid, and I attribute it to the hard work and dedication of Clackamas County’s staff.”

The state of Oregon, which administers the Public Assistance program, conducted briefings with local officials in these counties and affected tribal governments to provide information on the assistance available and how to apply.

“FEMA will assist Clackamas both in its recovery efforts and with its eligible projects to mitigate against future disasters. They are part of statewide efforts to protect people and property against the risks of future disasters,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont.

FEMA reimburses 75 percent of eligible costs covered in the declaration. 

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.