On Tuesday, February 16, 2021 the Oregon City Commission extended the previously declared State of Emergency to March 18, 2021 due to severe winter weather that resulted in heavy snow and ice accumulation, high winds,  significant tree damage and loss of power. Find Ordinance 21-12 here https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/oregoncity-pubu/MEET-Packet-c23a16e1a6ae4009ae7b3598dad9cb51.pdf

Declaring a State of Emergency allows for streamlined spending to address the emergency response and allows the City to enter into mutual aid agreements with other governmental authorities. City staff will be allowed to seek reimbursement of the funds expended in responding to this emergency from any source available, including federal, state, and county resources.

City facilities have been impacted by this storm event.  The City is continuing to offer virtual services. Currently, the Police Department and Municipal Court, Community Development and City Hall are open to in-person visits. The Building Department will be performing inspections and the Library will be providing hold pick-ups by appointment. More information may be found here https://www.orcity.org/community/city-facilities-and-service-update-wednesday-february-17

Much of the damage in the City is tree related and City crews are addressing the public right-of-way with a focus on major arterials throughout the City. City crews will continue to work on tree pruning and removal of broken limbs hanging in the street right-of-way and street sweeping in the impacted areas.

To help residents with fallen trees City staff, in partnership with Clackamas Community College, have created two temporary tree hauling sites for residents to discard tree debris. Oregon City residents may drop off brush (up to 5 cubic yards) for free at two temporary locations:

The Cove located at Main Street and Agnes Avenue, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Clackamas Community College – Yellow Lot #3 located at 19600 Molalla Avenue, Oregon City Oregon 97045, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

These temporary locations will accept residential tree trimmings, branches, limbs, small stumps, and other parts of shrubs. No limbs larger than 12” in diameter.

Trees must be free of trash and rocks. The site will not accept landscape waste, large tree stumps, treated wood (telephone poles, railroad ties) demolition debris, rock concrete, hazardous waste, and household garbage.

The City is securing additional locations for brush hauling and will post as they become available.

Residents living inside Oregon City limits must prove residency by showing a current Oregon City water bill and/or valid driver’s license to qualify for drop off. Contractor hauling will not be accepted.

The tree health of our City is very important and to understand how much damage has occurred due to the recent weather we are asking property owners and contractors to document trees that have been removed from the Oregon City tree canopy due to the winter storm here. We are currently identifying how the City will approach the damage moving forward.

This winter weather event has been regionally recognized by Clackamas County as they declared a State of Emergency, February 13, 2021 https://www.clackamas.us/news/2021-02-13/in-the-matter-of-declaring-a-local-state-of-emergency-and-declaring-emergency-measures?fbclid=IwAR3xxIC2CibCVfAKL-YtfpvgKKempwDi9HVSUmripRTv1ZIjA3AHHKM0Was and Governor Kate Brown declared a State of Emergency, February 13, 2021 in Benton, Clackamas, Hood River, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill Counties https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=54173

For more information follow the City’s Website www.orcity.org or Social Media Channels Facebook @cityoforegoncity, Twitter @orcity and Instagram @cityoforegoncity