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Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has written to President Donald Trump, requesting him to declare a major disaster following severe storms that struck the state for a week in December 2025.
Tidings Data Snapshot
FEMA Cost Share Math For Dec 2025 Storm DamagesSource: Oregon OEM press release on Dec 2025 storms and FEMA Public Assistance cost share guidanceDailyTidings.com
Gov. Tina Kotek Seeks FEMA Assistance for Nine Counties
Kotek is seeking assistance for nine counties – Clackamas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Polk, Tillamook, Union, and Yamhill, as well as access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The severe winter storms caused $15 million in losses that need repairs to several Oregon communities.
Rural Communities are Stretched Beyond Their Limits, Says Kotek
“Rural communities are stretched beyond their limits, and help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urgently needed,” says the governor in a news release.
The storms brought record rainfall, high winds, and an atmospheric river, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and mudslides. At the peak, more than 300,000 Oregonians were without power, and multiple highways and interstates had to be closed.
The Storms Claimed One Life in Yamhill County
One death was recorded in Yamhill County.
Preliminary damages were assessed at more than $15.4 million, while Tillamook County experienced the most serious per-capita damage at $154.29 per person.
Kotek says that without federal assistance, Oregon’s rural communities and consumer-owned utilities could face significant financial strain.
The Scale of Destruction Far Exceeds the Capabilities of Local Governments in the State
According to the director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Erin McMahon, local governments and utilities have worked tirelessly to restore essential services. However, the scale of destruction far exceeds their capabilities.
If approved by the Trump administration, the declaration will provide funding for debris removal, protective emergency measures, and repairs to roads, bridges, utilities, and other public infrastructure.
| Category | Type of work | Storm examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | Debris removal | Clearing storm debris for access and safety |
| B | Emergency protective measures | Flood response, sandbagging, temporary power support |
| C | Roads and bridges | Washouts, slope failures, bridge approaches |
| D | Water control facilities | Repairs to flood control and drainage structures |
| E | Buildings and equipment | Public facility damage and essential equipment |
| F | Utilities | Power, water, wastewater, communications repairs |
| G | Parks and other | Trails, public recreation sites, other public assets |
Hazard mitigation funding will support long-term projects to reduce the impact of future disasters.
Even if FEMA approves the declaration, Public Assistance usually reimburses up to 75% of eligible costs, leaving Oregon counties and utilities the task of matching the remaining 25%.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has created an interactive StoryMap detailing the event and its timeline.
For more information on Oregon’s disaster recovery efforts and how to be better prepared for disasters, visit Oregon.gov/OEM.
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