September 16, 2020 4:15 a.m.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Oregon.

A FEMA update said that means federal emergency aid has been made available to the State of Oregon to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and winds that began on September 7th.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected people in Douglas, Clackamas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Marion counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help people and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to state, tribal, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures including sheltering and direct federal assistance.

The update said emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance through FEMA’s public assistance programs, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. This assistance is for 20 Oregon counties.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

People and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering at www.disasterassistance.gov.