Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Congressman Greg Walden, are pushing for emergency aid for flood-stricken eastern Oregon.
A release from the members of Congress said they are asking the Trump administration for an expedited review of the “presidential major disaster declaration” that Oregon Governor Kate Brown requested for three Oregon counties and a tribal nation that suffered severe damage from historic flooding in February. Officials estimate that damage to public and individual property amounts to more than $30 million.
The release said the lawmakers also emphasized “the urgent need” to provide assistance through other programs that would assist the hardest hit areas – Umatilla County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation – and provide statewide resources.
The lawmakers said the historic floods combined with erosion, landslides, and mudslides, led to destruction that placed significant stresses on local emergency resources and financial hardship for Oregonians living and working in those small communities.
A federal disaster declaration will allow local governments in affected counties – Umatilla, Union and Wallowa- to seek reimbursement for a large portion of costs and losses. In addition, businesses and homeowners will be eligible for loans, insurance relief, and other assistance.
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