Governor Kotek Seeks Major Disaster Declaration After Storms Including Union County

Governor Tina Kotek has requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump to help nine Oregon counties recover from storms and flooding that struck Dec. 15–21, 2025, a move that would unlock federal funds for cleanup and infrastructure repairs in places including Union County.

The request names Clackamas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Polk, Tillamook, Union and Yamhill counties and seeks statewide access to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Damage estimates reported across outlets range from more than $15 million to $15.4 million-plus, and the declaration would cover debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to roads, bridges, utilities and other public infrastructure, as well as mitigation projects to reduce future risks.

State officials described the December event as a series of intense atmospheric rivers and record rainfall that produced flooding, landslides and mudslides alongside high winds. Evacuation notices were issued for thousands of residents as multiple highways and interstates were closed and travel was disrupted by fallen trees and downed powerlines. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management said already-saturated soil compounded damage across affected communities.

Power outages reached their peak on Dec. 17, 2025, when more than 300,000 people were reported without electricity, and utilities worked for days to restore service in rural pockets from the coast to eastern valleys. The storms also produced at least one death in Yamhill County; officials said a man died after attempting to drive through a flooded roadway.

Kotek framed the request in stark terms about the strain on smaller communities. “The scale of damage from December's severe storms impacted multiple Oregon communities, with more than $15 million in losses and needed repairs. Rural communities are stretched beyond their limits, and help from FEMA is urgently needed,” Governor Kotek said. “I'm requesting a major disaster declaration from President Trump because Oregonians did the hard work of showing up for each other and they deserve federal support to rebuild."

Erin McMahon, director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, added that the storms "struck our communities with little warning, leaving widespread damage and compounding the hardships from earlier storms and ongoing recovery efforts. Local governments and utilities have worked tirelessly to protect lives and restore essential services, but the scale of destruction far exceeds what local resources can manage alone. Federal assistance is critical to help communities recover and build resilience against future disasters."

Public reaction has been visible online: a recent Facebook post about the declaration request showed 232 reactions, 269 comments and 7 shares, with commenters including Jennifer Ferrell calling for an independent auditor to monitor funds and others expressing skepticism about federal help.

If the major disaster declaration is approved, counties named in the request would be eligible for public assistance to pay for immediate cleanup and repairs and for hazard mitigation grants to fund longer-term projects. As of the latest reports, FEMA and the White House have not confirmed receipt of the governor’s request or provided a decision timeline, leaving county officials and residents awaiting federal action to begin larger-scale recovery.