The director of Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) toured flooded locations throughout Umatilla County on Tuesday.
Andrew Phelps, along with Umatilla County Emergency Manager Thomas Roberts, Commissioner John Shafer, and other key officials visited flood effected areas in Pendleton, Hermiston and Umatilla.
Phelps was able to speak to residents of the affected areas, and volunteers from Team Rubicon. He provided assurance that the OEM is working hard to provide any assistance they can, as well as trying to reach the minimum threshold values required to request a federal declaration.
All Umatilla County residents who have had damage to their homes or property from recent flooding since April 6 and have not been contacted by officials are asked to email Umatilla County Emergency Management at floods2019@umatillacounty.net.
Residents are asked to send the following information in order to compile a countywide overview of damages:
- Name and phone number
- Date and time damage occurred
- Address or Location of property
- Estimated Value of damages
- Photos of damages, if available
Residents whose damage information has already been taken by Team Rubicon or other city or county officials do not need to submit damages to the county email address. The deadline for reporting damages is April 30, 2019.
Tillamook County Emergency Manager Gordon McCraw arrived in Umatilla County on Tuesday at the request of Roberts to assist with documentation regarding the county emergency declaration and to help with damage assessments that will be submitted to OEM.
Tillamook County and Umatilla County have a Sister County Assistance Agreement to provide help in the response and recovery efforts. Tillamook County has a history of flood events and experience in the processes needed to request FEMA assistance.
“Mr. McCraw’s knowledge of flooding and what is required to submit the proper documentation to OEM is invaluable to Umatilla County” said Roberts.
