May 10, 2021 3:40 a.m.

Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have announced that President Biden has granted a Major Disaster Declaration for Oregon following the severe winter storm that occurred in February.

A release said the move will free up federal funding to assist communities’ recovery and resilience to future storms.

Merkley said that February’s extreme storm killed four people and left over two hundred thousand Oregonians without power. Merkley said, “From clearing debris to restoring and rebuilding impacted buildings, we still have a lot of work ahead of us to put this storm behind us”. Merkley said he will continue to work with the administration and local leaders to make sure Oregonians get the assistance they need to get back on their feet.

Wyden said he is gratified the Biden administration has declared the devastation a major disaster, “…releasing the flow of federal help that Oregon communities need for a full recovery”.

The release said that communities in Benton, Clackamas, Linn, Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties are eligible for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. In addition, all areas in Oregon are eligible to apply for hazard mitigation assistance, which include steps to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards during future natural disasters.

Funds will be distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.