Local Leaders Looking For Emergency Declaration In NE Oregon
Northeast Oregon leaders are asking Governor Kate Brown to declare a state of emergency following flooding earlier this month. State senator Bill Hansell is one of several elected officials calling on the state to declare portions of Umatilla County a disaster. However, Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps will need to visit the area before such as decision can be made.
According to the agency, a comprehensive damage assessment needs to be done before anything is forwarded to the Governor’s office. Umatilla County suffered flooding April 10th due to a combination of snow melt and spring rain. Homes in Pendleton have experienced up to 18" of water in basements, dumpsters provided by the city are filled with debris and a nursing home remains evacuated.
A footbridge in the city of Umatilla was washed away, and could cost millions to replace.
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