January 19, 2024 3:50 a.m. 

Thursday night, Governor Tina Kotek declared a statewide emergency due to the severe ice storm that impacted counties across the state.

A release from the Governor’s Office said the declaration comes following an assessment of needs and subsequent requests from multiple counties as they enter the 6th day of severe impacts as a result of the storm. The declaration will support counties to respond and recover from damages as a result of the storm.

Kotek said, “Thousands of people across the state have been impacted by the storm, including power outages, lack of transportation and an array of safety concerns that come with severe weather”. Kotek said, “The state has been working with counties as they assess needs, including critical federal resources that can be unlocked by a statewide emergency. I declared a state of emergency in Lane County on Tuesday, and now we are heeding the call from additional counties to escalate”.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Governor’s Office have been in frequent communication with impacted counties as they continuously assess their needs, anticipate emerging issues, problem solve, and seek to fill gaps.

Currently, Multnomah County, Lincoln County, Washington County, Hood River County and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians have declared a local state of emergency and have been receiving support from the state including OEM, the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Oregon Health Authority, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

A full list of warming shelters across the state is linked: https://www.211info.org/winter-and-severe-weather-shelters/