February 13, 2021 2:45 p.m.

Governor Kate Brown has declared a state of emergency in the Willamette Valley, due to severe winter weather.

The declaration applies to Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill counties.

Brown said that has resulted in heavy snow and ice accumulation, high winds, critical transportation failures and loss of power and communications capabilities.

Brown said “The weather that set in yesterday and continued overnight has left extensive damage with hundreds of thousands of Oregonians without power”.

Pursuant to Oregon law, Brown has determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the severe winter weather. The declaration authorizes the Oregon Office of Emergency Management to activate the state’s emergency operations plan and to utilize personnel, equipment, and facilities from other state agencies in order to respond to or mitigate the effects of the weather emergency. In addition, the Oregon National Guard, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation, the Oregon Public Utility Commission and other state agencies are directed to provide any assistance as requested by the OEM that is deemed necessary to assist in the response.