Office of the Governor
State of Oregon

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 21-02

DETERMINATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY IN BENTON, CLACKAMAS, HOOD RIVER, LINN, MARION, MULTNOMAH, POLK, WASHINGTON, AND YAMHILL COUNTIES DUE TO A SEVERE WINTER STORM THAT INCLUDES HEAVY SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATION, IDGH WINDS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES

Pursuant to ORS 401.165, I find a potential threat to life, safety, property, and significant damage to infrastructure exists due to severe winter storms that have caused and continue to cause a state of emergency in Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill Counties. Beginning February 11, 2021, and continuing, these severe storms are causing heavy snow and ice accumulation and high winds throughout the Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge, resulting in critical transportation failures and loss of power and communications capabilities.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DIRECTED AND ORDERED:

1. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) shall activate the State's Emergency Operations Plan and Emergency Coordination Center, and shall coordinate access to and use of personnel and equipment of all state agencies necessary to assess, alleviate, respond to, mitigate or recover from conditions caused by this emergency. OEM shall coordinate all essential protective measures in support of identified disaster areas to protect lives, property, and the environment.
2. The Oregon National Guard, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Oregon Public Utility Commission and other state agencies are directed to provide any assistance as requested by OEM that is deemed necessary to assist in the response to this emergency and to provide all necessary support to statewide response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.
3. This emergency shall exist for seven days unless terminated earlier by the Governor.

Done at Salem, Oregon, this 13th day of February, 2021.

Kate Brown
 GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

Shemia Fagan
SECRETARY OF STATE