Major Disaster Declaration for December 2025 Oregon Floods
Summary
Governor Tina Kotek announced that a presidential major disaster declaration has been approved for the December 15-21, 2025 atmospheric river floods affecting nine Oregon counties. The declaration activates federal Public Assistance funding covering more than $15.4 million in documented eligible damages to public infrastructure including roads, bridges, and utilities. Oregon has also requested Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for long-term risk-reduction projects, which remains under federal review.
What changed
The presidential major disaster declaration for the December 2025 atmospheric river floods makes federal Public Assistance funding available to nine Oregon counties: Clackamas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Polk, Tillamook, Union, and Yamhill. Eligible costs include damage to roads, bridges, utilities, and other public infrastructure. A joint preliminary damage assessment documented more than $15.4 million in eligible damages, with Tillamook County experiencing the highest per-capita impact at $154.29 per person. Affected county governments and public entities should contact the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to initiate the Public Assistance application process and obtain guidance on required documentation. Oregon has also submitted a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding request for long-term resilience projects, which is still under federal review.
Archived snapshot
Apr 20, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Press Release · April 14, 2026 Kotek Announces Approval of Major Disaster Declaration for December 2025 Floods
Governor Tina Kotek announced today that the December storms have been declared a major disaster by the President. This will provide federal Public Assistance funding to support recovery from the December 15–21, 2025 atmospheric river that impacted communities across the state. Read more about the timeline on the incident StoryMap.
The declaration makes Public Assistance funding available to nine counties significantly affected by the storms: Clackamas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Polk, Tillamook, Union, and Yamhill. These funds can be used to cover eligible costs related to damage to roads, bridges, utilities, and other public infrastructure. Oregon has also requested Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to support long-term risk‑reduction projects; that request is still under federal review.
The storms produced record rainfall and powerful winds, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and mudslides. At the peak of the event, more than 300,000 Oregonians were without power, numerous highways and interstates were closed, and one fatality was reported in Yamhill County. A joint preliminary damage assessment documented more than $15.4 million in eligible damages, with Tillamook County experiencing the highest per‑capita impact at $154.29 per person.
With the approval of the disaster declaration, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management will work closely with FEMA’s Federal Coordination Officer, Shawna Jepson—formerly OEM’s recovery program manager—to coordinate the state-federal partnership supporting community recovery. OEM staff are already reaching out to affected jurisdictions to begin the Public Assistance application process and provide guidance on required documentation, next steps, and available resources.
OEM remains committed to supporting local partners through recovery and to advocating for hazard mitigation funding that strengthens long‑term resilience across Oregon.
More information about Oregon’s disaster recovery efforts and emergency preparedness resources is available at Oregon.gov/OEM or read the FEMA fact sheet about the disaster.
Contacts
For News Media Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Emergency Management
503-394-3310
https://oregon.gov/oem Categories Recovery Tags dr-4907 · december-2025-floods · major-disaster-declaration
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