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Heavy Winter Storm Packs Financial Whallop, Too

Brian Bull
/
KLCC

The late February snowstorm that hit the region with a foot and a half of snow now has an official price tag: over $17 million in damages to Lane County.

Utility companies took the brunt of the cost, with $14 million used in responding to blackouts, removing downed trees, and fixing lines and damaged infrastructure. The remaining $3 million came from debris removal and emergency protective measures. 

Credit Douglas Electric Cooperative
Douglas Electric crews navigate muddy roads and downed trees to restore power in early March, 2019.

Lane County spokesperson Devon Ashbridge says affected agencies will get reimbursed 75 percent from FEMA, if President Trump approves Oregon’s request.

“So we’re waiting just to hear and confirm the President will sign that final order, allowing for that reimbursement," Ashbridge explains.

"And we don’t have a timeline, these things can take either several weeks or a few months, but it is in process and we’re certainly hopeful we’ll receive reimbursement here in the near future.”

Meanwhile, Douglas County suffered $11 million in damages.  Altogether, Oregon’s infrastructure suffered $30 million from the February storm.

Copyright 2019, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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