Kotek: Feds holding up disaster money 'despite court orders'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency for 10 counties scrambling for federal aid after devastating floods last week. But she dropped a bombshell on Monday:
"We are, at present, looking at up to $450 million in federal funds that continue to be inaccessible despite court orders."
Of that $450 million, Kotek's office said $129 million in FEMA funding is now out of reach because of pending orders from the Trump Administration.
States typically get reimbursed after covering initial costs, like after wildfire season. It can take time. Lawmakers approved $218 million in emergency funding in December while waiting for reimbursement.
FEMA also helps reduce disaster risks.
In Clackamas County -- which is already under a state of emergency, officials are waiting to see if they'll continue receiving hazard mitigation assistance.
Kotek -- and many others -- are waiting to see how this plays out. Oregon's US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are demanding answers from FEMA about staff layoffs and grant freezes, which they said could hurt disaster recovery efforts.
KOIN 6 News asked the Oregon Department of Emergency Management which counties and projects would be most impacted by the freeze, but at this time they have not replied.
Many families, including Kristy Williams of Drain in Douglas County, lost everything in the floods.
"Within an hour, the water went from my ankles to my knees, and it happened so fast. I didn't have time to get any of our belongings out," Williams said.
But she doesn't sound hopeful about any help anytime soon.
"We kind of feel like we aren't getting anywhere and getting anything in the moment."