State Agencies Release Water Conservation Communications Toolkit - 06/15/26

Salem, OR — The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oregon Water Resources Department (WRD) have jointly released the 2026 Water Conservation Communications Toolkit, a comprehensive collection of customizable outreach materials designed to help communities communicate effectively about water conservation during Oregon’s ongoing drought conditions. 

The toolkit provides agencies, local governments, community organizations and partners with ready-to-use key messages, sample news releases, social media templates, Frequently Asked Questions, and water‑saving tips to support consistent statewide communication. It emphasizes practical, low‑cost steps Oregonians can take to conserve water at home, including checking for leaks, watering during cooler hours, adjusting irrigation based on weather, and installing water‑efficient fixtures. 

“Oregon is facing challenging drought conditions this year, and clear, consistent communication is essential in helping communities take action,” said Ivan Gall, Director of the Oregon Water Resources Department. “Every Oregonian can play a part in reducing water use and protecting our shared water resources.” 

In addition to public messaging tools, the toolkit directs Oregonians to important resources such as WRD’s biweekly Drought & Water Supply Conditions Report, local watering guidance, drought declaration information, and options for reporting drought impacts including dry wells and local conditions. 

The 2026 Water Conservation Communications Toolkit is available to all partners and the public. Agencies and organizations are encouraged to adapt the materials to meet local needs while supporting consistent statewide messaging. 

OWRD and OEM thank the Regional Water Providers Consortium for sharing their research on water conservation and offering information on saving water in six languages. 

Water Conservation Resources: 

• OWRD Water Conservation: info/savewater 
• Drought Declarations: info/droughtdeclarations 
• Regional Water Providers Consortium: org/water-conservation
• Drought & Water Supply Conditions Report Email sign-up: info/getdroughtupdate
• Current and previous Drought & Water Supply Conditions Reports: owrd.info/droughtupdates 

Media Contacts:

• OEM, 503-934-3310 | OEM_Publicinfo@oem.oregon.gov
• WRD, 503-979-3214 | WRD_DL_MediaInquiries@water.oregon.gov

First Heat Event Of The Season Expected Sunday And Monday: OEM Urges You To Stay Cool And Check On Neighbors (Photo) - 06/12/26

State, Federal And Local Leaders Have Concluded A Senior Leadership Seminar On Cascadia Preparedness (Photo) - 06/05/26

Portland, Ore. — Leadership from the U.S. Navy, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM), and the Port of Portland attended the 2026 Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) Senior Leadership Seminar yesterday, June 4, held at Portland International Airport (PDX). 

The seminar brought together senior leaders and planners from local, state, federal, tribal, and military agencies to strengthen coordination and preparedness for a Cascadia Subduction Zone event—one of the Pacific Northwest’s most significant natural disaster risks.

Hosted by the  Port of Portland with virtual participation available, the half‑day program featured senior‑level discussions, scenario‑based planning, and insights into federal and military support capabilities during catastrophic incidents. An optional afternoon networking session further supported collaboration across jurisdictions.

“Preparedness is at the core of our airport operations, including a new PDX that was built to withstand the Big One,” said Port of Portland Chief Aviation Officer Dan Pippenger. “Workshops like this boost our resilience through strengthened collaboration and communication. This is essential for the region’s preparedness partners to respond quickly as a team, save lives, and keep people and critical supplies flowing when disaster strikes.”

Participants engaged in focused conversations on current response plans, interagency coordination challenges, and opportunities to enhance alignment across emergency management systems. The seminar reinforced the critical role that DSCA support plays in large‑scale disaster response and emphasized the importance of integrated planning before a crisis occurs.

“Preparing for a Cascadia event requires strong partnerships and a shared understanding of how we will work together in the most challenging conditions,” said Erin McMahon, Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. “This seminar brought together the leadership necessary to ensure we are coordinated, informed and ready to respond.”

Leaders from the Navy, ODHS OREM, and the Port of Portland echoed the importance of cross‑agency collaboration, emphasizing that unified planning is essential to protecting communities and accelerating recovery following a major seismic event.

ODHS OREM director Ed Flick added that “sea-based response is the standard in the IndoPacific region. As a pacific state, the sea services will play a key role in response to a CSZ earthquake and tsunami response in Oregon.”

The DSCA Senior Leadership Seminar series, launched in 2010, continues to provide a vital platform for enhancing regional readiness in high‑risk areas such as the Pacific Northwest. Insights from this year’s session will inform ongoing planning efforts and strengthen the partnerships that support Oregon’s resilience.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

• Oregon Department of Emergency Management, 503-934-3310 | oem_publicinfo@oem.oregon.gov
• ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management ODHS-Media@odhs.oregon.gov
• Port of Portland, media@portofportland.com
• State, Federal and Local Leaders Have Concluded a Senior Leadership Seminar on Cascadia Preparedness

Federal Disaster Declaration Expanded To Include Clatsop And Wasco Counties - 06/04/26

Public-Private Partnership Launches 2026 Security And Resilience Seminar Series Focused On Emerging Insider Threats - 05/29/26

Free virtual series to help organizations strengthen security, continuity, and operational resilience

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), in partnership with the Idaho Office of Emergency Management, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the state of Washington Emergency Management Division, and Albertsons Companies, is launching the 2026 Public Private Partnership Security and Resilience Seminar Series—a free virtual learning series designed to help organizations strengthen safety, continuity of operations, and emergency communications in an evolving risk environment.
 

The three-part series will bring together government, private sector, and security professionals to explore emerging asymmetrical threats and practical strategies to improve organizational resilience. Guided by CISA’s Insider Threat Mitigation framework, the seminars will focus on identifying behavioral indicators, strengthening layered defenses, and building cultures of vigilance and preparedness.

Participants will gain actionable insights to help detect, deter, and mitigate risks across physical security, cybersecurity, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI).
 

“Preparedness and resilience require strong partnerships across sectors,” Sonya McCormick, OEM’s public private partnership program manager, said. “This seminar series creates an opportunity for organizations to share lessons learned, strengthen security practices, and better prepare for emerging threats that impact operations, people and critical services.”

What participants can expect:

• Presentations from industry, academic, and government experts
• Best practices for strengthening critical infrastructure resilience
• Tools and resources to support preparedness and continuity planning
• Strategies to address physical and cyber security challenges
• Discussions on the growing role of artificial intelligence in security and resilience

2026 Seminar Schedule

Seminar 1: Mitigating Physical Security Risks by Creating Vigilant Workplaces
Date: June 4, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Explore strategies for controlling access, monitoring sensitive areas, and fostering a culture of awareness. Learn how physical safeguards and employee engagement can reduce opportunities for insider threats.

Register: https://tinyurl.com/2026P3Seminar1

Seminar 2: Strengthening Cyber Defense Against Insider Threats: Building a Culture of Digital Vigilance
Date: July 9, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Learn how to identify behavioral indicators in digital environments, implement layered cyber protections, and empower teams to report suspicious activity. This session focuses on proactive detection and secure practices.

Register: https://tinyurl.com/2026P3Seminar2

Seminar 3: Responsible AI Integration: Enhancing Preparedness and Implementation
Date: August 13, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Discover how AI can support insider threat programs through anomaly detection and risk analysis while emphasizing ethical use, transparency, and responsible implementation.

Register: https://tinyurl.com/2026P3Seminar3

Event Details

Format: Virtual
Cost: Free
Audience: Government agencies, private sector partners, emergency managers, business continuity professionals, security leaders, and resilience practitioners

About the Public Private Partnership Security and Resilience Seminar Series
The Public Private Partnership Security and Resilience Seminar Series fosters collaboration between public and private sector partners to strengthen preparedness, resilience, and continuity capabilities through shared learning, practical tools, and strategic discussion of emerging threats. For more information, please contact Sonya McCormick, Public Private Partnership Program Manager at the Oregon Department of Emergency Management at Sonya.McCormick@oem.oregon.gov.

Oregon Appeals FEMA’s Denial Of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program For December 2025 Storms - 05/29/26

SALEM, Ore. – The State of Oregon has formally appealed FEMA’s decision to deny Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding under FEMA DR-4907 following the devastating December 15–21, 2025 storms that brought record flooding, landslides, mudslides, and severe winds across the state. The original declaration was for Clackamas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Polk, Tillamook, Union, and Yamhill counties with Clatsop and Wasco counties added later. 

While FEMA approved Public Assistance on April 7, 2026—which will help rebuild damaged public infrastructure and reimburse responding agencies and community organizations—the agency denied HMGP, providing no explanation or analysis for its decision despite the statewide severity of the damage and Oregon’s strong record of successful mitigation projects. 

“Oregon communities have endured extraordinary challenges, and many of them are still recovering from back-to-back disasters,” said Erin McMahon, Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. “Hazard mitigation is one of the most effective tools we have to break the cycle of damage and recovery. HMGP funding will allow us to strengthen critical systems, protect lives and property, and ensure our communities are better prepared for the next severe weather event.” 

Severe and Widespread Impacts Across Oregon 

The December 2025 storm system delivered 2–5 inches of rain in lower elevations and 5–15 inches in higher terrain, with 73% of long- term snow-pack telemetry (SNOTEL) sites recording their highest or second-highest precipitation totals on record. The event caused: 

• 314,894 customers without power at the peak 
• Major closures on Interstate 5, Interstate 84, U.S. 101, and multiple state highways 
• Widespread landslides, road washouts, power infrastructure failures, and severe erosion 

Communities faced multiday outages and transportation disruptions that isolated residents. Evacuations reached 1,219 people at Level 3 (Leave Immediately). A joint preliminary damage assessment identified more than $15.4 million in eligible public infrastructure damages with rural counties such as Tillamook, Hood River, and Lincoln experiencing disproportionately high per-capita damage—Tillamook alone recorded $154.29 per capita, more than 30 times its federal indicator. Critical services, including water systems, wastewater facilities, and communications infrastructure, were disrupted across the region. 

Local Capacity Overwhelmed 

Local and state agencies were already stretched thin due to consecutive severe storms in December 2025, combined with ongoing recovery from multiple recent disasters, including 2024 wildfires and earlier winter storms. Rural and consumer-owned utilities faced repair costs far beyond normal operating budgets, leaving communities struggling to recover. 

Hazard Mitigation Funding is Essential 

HMGP provides resources for forward-looking, long-term risk reduction—projects not eligible under Public Assistance programs. Oregon has identified shovel-ready mitigation projects through the joint PDA process, including: 

• Row River Valley District water system upgrades 
• Clackamas County Water & Environment Services riverbank stabilization and utility protection 
• City of Sheridan hillside stabilization and water main relocation 

Mitigation investments have proven effective in Oregon. Lane County’s undergrounding of utilities significantly reduced outages in subsequent storms, and Tillamook County’s Southern Flow Corridor project has lowered flood levels and prevented routine closures of U.S. 101. Nationally, FEMA estimates that every $1 spent on mitigation saves up to $6 in future disaster costs. 

State Request 

The State of Oregon is requesting reversal of FEMA’s HMGP denial based on: 

• The severity, scale, and statewide impact of the December 2025 storms 
• Exhausted local and state capacity to manage long-term recovery 
• The absence of explanation or supporting analysis for FEMA’s denial 
• Oregon’s proven track record of successful, cost-saving mitigation projects 

Oregon is seeking HMGP funding statewide to rebuild stronger, reduce long-term disaster costs, and protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure from future severe weather events. 

Next Steps 

Oregon has submitted its formal appeal under 44 CFR §206.46(b), requesting that FEMA reverse its HMGP denial and authorize funding statewide. If approved, the state will immediately advance priority mitigation projects identified through the Joint FEMA-State Preliminary Damage Assessment. If it is denied, there will be no further appeals.

Oregon Advances Next Generation 9-1-1 Implementation Through Partnership With Lumen And Intrado (Photo) - 05/28/26

2026 Wildfire Awareness Month: Have A Plan, Build A Go-bag, Get Insured, Be Ready To Evacuate - 05/25/26

Media Contact: 503-934-3310  |  OEM_Publicinfo@oem.oregon.gov

2026 Wildfire Awareness Month: Have a Plan, Build a Go-bag, Get Insured, Be Ready to Evacuate 

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon is going to be a tinderbox this wildfire season. With counties across the state already declaring drought emergencies, we are heading into what will be one of the driest seasons in more than a decade. As a result, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is asking you to get ready now: 

1. Pack your go-bags 
2. Know your evacuation routes – have a plan 
3. Sign-up for emergency alerts 
4. Be prepared if cell service goes down 
5. Know the evacuation levels 
6. Make sure you have enough wildfire insurance – have a recovery plan 

Pack Your Go-bags 

A go-bag contains essential items you may need to take with you in a hurry. Each household member (human and animal) should have an easy-to-carry emergency bag:  

In an easy to pack tote: 

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation) 
• Food:non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation) 

In individual backpacks: 

• Large bottle of water 
• Non-perishable snacks or meals ready to eat (MREs) 
• 7-day supply of medications (if possible) 
• A basic first aid kit
• Flashlight (hand-cranked or with extra batteries)  
• Back-up power cell (for charging your phone and electronics) 
• Extra charging cables 
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio(NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) 
• Extra clothing and personal items 
• Digital or printed copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.) 
• Multi-purpose tool 
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items 
• Printed copy of family and emergency contact information 
• If possible, extra cash 
• Emergency blanket
• Printed map(s) of the area (make sure everyone knows how to read them) 

Know Your Evacuation Routes – Have a Plan 

Create an evacuation plan and make sure everyone in the family knows what it is. Visit OEM’s Be2WeeksReady page to find tips on how to prepare for evacuation or shelter in place. OEM also offers a wildfire evacuation checklist at wildfire.oregon.gov/prepare. 

Your plan should include: 

• A list of emergency contacts (printed and in every go-bag) 
• A safe meeting place in case family members get separated 
• Multiple evacuation routes from home, work, or school. comcan help with this, but everyone should also know how to read a paper map and how to get to safety. 
• Transportation arrangements, including pets and livestock. 
• A discussion with loved ones, friends and neighbors to ensure everyone understands the plan. 

Individuals with disabilities should plan ahead for transportation, equipment and service animal needs. Visit the Red Cross for tailored resources. If you have special medical needs, make sheltering arrangements some place that can accommodate your needs, because not all standard shelters can. 

For pet and livestock evacuation planning, visit Ready.gov/pets. Prepare a pet emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, identification and medical records. Livestock owners should arrange transportation and shelter options in advance—resources are available at Oregon Department of Agriculture. 

Sign-up for Emergency Alerts   

Visit ORAlert.gov to sign-up to receive alerts based on your zip code. If you're already registered, take a moment to log in and update your contact information. Also, check your phone settings to ensure wireless emergency alerts are enabled. 

Know where to find local emergency information, such as your county’s emergency management website and TripCheck.com. Follow local emergency services on social media, including the sheriff’s office, fire agencies and city or county pages. 

Be Prepared If Cell Service Goes Down  

Have a back-up plan for how you will communicate if cell towers burn in your area. Developing a family PACE plan (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) is key to staying connected during a disaster. Many cell providers offer a Starlink add-on for a nominal fee, which allows your cell phone to access the internet and make web-based phone calls and texts, or send Facebook and WhatsApp messages even if you can’t connect to a cell tower.   

An example of a PACE plan for individuals: 

• Primary: Cell Phones 
• Alternate: Starlink service on your cell phone. 
• Contingency: Satellite communicators, separate from the satellite function on your phone (which prioritizes first-responder traffic) 
• Emergency: Short-range communication radios for talking to family, and a hand-cranked NOAA weather radio to receive alerts. 

Know the Evacuation Levels in Oregon 

Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system to keep residents informed and safe. Be familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go Now!” notifications: 

1. Level One – BE READY (Green): Stay aware of the wildfire threat and get prepared. Pack your go-kit, check emergency contacts, and ensure those in vulnerable situations (older adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and livestock owners) are ready to evacuate if needed. 
2. Level Two – BE SET (Yellow): Be prepared to leave at any moment. This indicates significant wildfire danger. Voluntary evacuation is encouraged—especially for those needing extra time to relocate safely. 
3. Level Three – GO NOW! (Red): Evacuate immediately! This means extreme danger is present, and it is unsafe to remain in place. Emergency responders may not be able to assist further. Leave immediately without gathering belongings and check TripCheck.com or call 511 for evacuation routes. 

After evacuating, do not return until officials declare it safe. You can find additional wildfire preparedness resources at wildfire.oregon.gov. 

Make Sure You’re Insured – Have a Recovery Plan 

Finally, whether you rent or own, now is the time to make sure you have wildfire insurance and enough coverage to replace your house. If the worst happens, you will need to rely on insurance, savings, loans and donations to replace what was lost. Have a plan for how you will recover. Your standard renter’s or homeowners' policy doesn’t cover floods, landslides or wildfires. Talk to your agent to make sure you have the right kind and amount of insurance. 

• Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety – Wildfire Ready
• Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Insurance Resources
• Filing a homeowners claim after a fire(English) 
• Filing a homeowners claim after a fire(Spanish) 
• Division of Financial Regulation – Wildfires Messaging Toolkit

Additional Wildfire Preparedness Resources 

• OEM's Wildfire Alert Graphics
• OEM's Evacuation Level Graphics
• How to Talk About Wildfires
• Prevent Wildfires
• Stay Safe While Driving During Smokey Conditions
• Vehicles can cause wildfires so make sure yours doesn't