Feb. 7, 2008, was the final day for individuals, tribal governments and communities with damage resulting from the severe storms, wind, mudslides, landslides and flooding of Dec. 1-17, 2007, to register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It was also the deadline for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations that suffered property damages from the storm to return their loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

OTHER ASSISTANCE

State of Oregon Employment Department: To file an unemployment insurance claim, call toll free (877) 877-1781 or register online at www.workinginoregon.org.

Food Stamps: Clatsop and Columbia county residents who need food stamp services should contact the agency's office in Astoria at 450 Marine Drive, Suite 200, phone (503) 325-9179 or in St. Helens at 500 N. Highway 30, phone (503) 397-3292. 

Residents can access Red Cross assistance by calling the Red Cross toll free number 1-866-GET INFO (1-866-438-4636).  Requests for shelter assistance will be evaluated by the Red Cross on a case-by-case basis. 

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Oregon law provides tax relief for property that is damaged or destroyed because of fire or an Act of God. This relief is given to a qualifying person through prorating of the taxes for the tax year in which the damage or destruction occurred. The owner of property damaged or destroyed may apply to the Clatsop County Tax Collector for this proration. 

Application forms are available from the Clatsop County Tax and Assessment Department at 820 Exchange St., Astoria OR 97103, call (503) 325-8522 or use this Storm Damage link for more information. Applications must be made by June 30, 2008. Refunds or cancellations will be made as soon as the appraisal staff verifies the destruction and amount of loss.

WOOD-CUTTING PERMITS

Residents seeking wood-cutting permits in approved areas may obtain permits from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Astoria office at 325-5451.