| Questions and Answers on Relief Efforts |
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| How did Oregon become involved? |
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On the evening of Friday, September 2, in response to a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Governor Kulongoski notified FEMA that Oregon was available to accept up to 1000 victims of Hurricane Katrina. Under the Governor’s direction, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) immediately began coordinating with state and local private and public entities on developing a plan for how to provide food, shelter and medical care for the citizens of Gulf Coast states when they arrive. The incident was officially named "OPERATION WELCOME OREGON."
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| Who is the state working with - what other organizations? |
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FEMA, OEM, Oregon National Guard, Oregon State Police, City of Portland, Multnomah County, Port of Portland, American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter, NW Medical Teams, the Salvation Army, and local community leaders and volunteers.
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| What is the status of Operations Welcome Oregon? |
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As part of a daily briefing, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) informed Governor Ted Kulongoski on the morning of September 8, 2005 that Oregon remains a "receiving state" and the relocation of approximately 500 hurricane evacuees to Portland, Oregon on Saturday, September 10, 2005 remains on the schedule. However, FEMA did not have any additional details such as time, number of aircraft, where displaced citizens will be coming from, or exact number of citizens.
The Governor and Oregon Office of Emergency Management Director, Ken Murphy, will continue to make contact with FEMA officials throughout the day and as soon as additional information is available, regional, state, local and community partners, including the media, will be notified.
**Update = No evacuees will come to Oregon through FEMA programs. For more information please see the September 10, 2005 press release.**
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| How Can Oregonians help directly? |
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Oregon’s contribution to this national tragedy continues to make a difference. Through financial aid as well as goods donated to disaster relief organizations – and the important role of the nearly 2000 Oregon National Guard soldiers and Air Guard helping with efforts on the ground in Louisiana – Oregon continues to play an important role in helping hurricane survivors heal and rebuild their lives.
We need to continue to provide dollars, resources to organizations providing direct relief to hurricane survivors and continue to support the efforts of the Oregon National Guard.
As for Oregon’s response to the call from FEMA – the Governor is extremely proud of the collaboration and professionalism demonstrated by the state Office of Emergency Management, Oregon National Guard, City of Portland, Multnomah County, community-members, Red Cross and other non-governmental entities in developing a plan and executing that plan to assist hurricane survivors in a short period of time.
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| Will FEMA reimburse the state for its costs related to the... |
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relief efforts even if evacuees do not relocate in Oregon?
Yes – the Governor has received confirmation from FEMA that costs associated with the state’s efforts will be reimbursed, however at this point we do not have a figure on total costs because the efforts are on-going.
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| When will we know more? |
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The Governor’s office will provide updates daily – or as information is available from FEMA.
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| What about people who have fled the Hurricane Katrina disaster... |
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by their own means and have come to Oregon, can they get FEMA assistance?
Yes, those individuals who have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina need to register with the FEMA teleregistration center: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585 (speech & hearing impaired) or they can register online at http://www.fema.gov. About a dozen evacuees have received assistance from the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter.
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| Why were former high schools selected as shelter sites? |
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The high schools have kitchen facilities, dining areas, bathrooms and showers, and enough space to house 400 – 500 people. The facilities have play areas for children and are served by public transit.
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| How can I open my home to evacuees? |
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To fill out available family housing, rooms available, etc. www.hurricanehousing.org
Listing units: Also, if people do arrive in Portland, they will likely need housing. Property managers and landlords can make available properties by logging onto www.housingconnections.org to list properties on this user-friendly site. Any questions regarding the site may be directed to: staff@housingconnections.org or 503.823.4141.
Section 8 Housing: Washington County Housing Authority has provided the following information: any families that come to Oregon because of the Katrina Disaster that already receive Public Housing or Section 8 from their hometown can get immediate help. These vouchers are transferable from state to state. If they are not already receiving these benefits, they will have to wait. All the refugees are a priority to HUD. However, they cannot guarantee how long they will need to wait. Washington County HUD may be reached at: 503.846.4794.
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| Where can I get information about how to donate to assist... |
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evacuees coming to Oregon?
In the Portland metro area, call 211 (not available on cell phones). The statewide number is 800-SAFE-NET (800-723-3638) or check our link to their site.
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| Where should local residents direct donations to assist evacuees? |
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To make a financial donation call the American Red Cross at 800-HELP-NOW (800-435-7669). Financial donations are still needed.
Donations of needed goods should be made to the:
Welcome Oregon Donation Center
14150 SW Milton Court, Tigard
Hours of operation: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, every day
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| What types of donated goods are needed? |
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- School supplies
- New or nearly new household items (chairs, sofas, beds, tables)
- New or nearly new linens, towels, bedding
- Kitchen utensils, small appliances
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| What types of good are NOT needed? |
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- Clothing, new or used
- Food
- Miscellaneous household items
- Large appliances like stoves or refrigerators
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| What will happen to donated goods if they are not used up? |
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Local relief agencies that have collected goods from our region will plan to send these items to evacuees in other locations in the country where they are needed.
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| Who is paying for Operation Welcome Oregon? |
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FEMA officials have said that the federal government will reimburse local governments for costs associated with assisting evacuees.
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| Who will pay the costs if no evacuees come to Oregon? |
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FEMA has agreed to reimburse for costs associated with all hurricane relief efforts, this includes whether or not the evacuees come to Oregon.
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| Who is in charge of Operation Welcome Oregon? |
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The Oregon Office of Emergency Management is coordinating the effort. The American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter is responsible for establishing and operating shelters and immediate assistance. Local governments, agencies and community groups are assisting and providing resources.
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| How could neighbors near shelters be impacted? |
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Portland Mayor Tom Potter and Oregon City Mayor Alice Norris have met with residents from neighborhoods near the two shelters to explain shelter operations and answer questions. Security issues are being addressed. Temporary fences are being installed to create a single entry point and safe play areas for evacuee children. Evacuees will be able to come and go as they please.
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