Oregon Public Broadcasting

The federal government is warning people who suffered damage in the December storms to register for help by Thursday. As Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, that’s when the Federal Emergency Management Agency stops accepting claims.

The federal government deals with many different disasters across the whole country. FEMA spokesman, Win Henderson, says that’s why they need a deadline for people to apply for assistance.

Win Henderson: “The deadline is typically set at 60 days from date of declaration of the disaster and what this does is give us a two month window in order to assess damages, get the people notified as to what we have available to them. And gives us an opportunity to get into the system to take advantage of the programs we have in place to help them.”

The flooding, landslides and winds in early December storms, took a heavy toll on Oregon. About 3400 people from Clatsop, Columbia, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties have registered for help so far.

Henderson says about $5.5 million has been spent on temporary housing and personal needs. Another $7 million has been lent to about 150 home-owners and small companies by the Small Business Administration. But, he warns, more damage could surface in the future.

Win Henderson: “We would urge anybody that’s saying, well, I don’t think I qualify for disaster assistance, because I’m waiting for an insurance settlement, please, don’t hesitate to get into our system. Once your name is in there and you find out a month, three months down the road, that you were underinsured or not covered for your losses, your name will be in the system, you can come back to FEMA and we can pick up from there and continue to assist you.”

People can register on line at www.fema.gov until midnight. If they want to do it by phone at 800-621-3362 they only have until 6 o’clock in the evening.