Biden approves federal aid for 11 Oregon counties to help cover costs from ice storm damage

Cities and counties across Oregon sustained millions of dollars in damage during the January ice storm, but help is on the way.

Over the weekend, President Joe Biden approved FEMA assistance for 11 Oregon counties, including Lane, Lincoln, Benton and Multnomah counties. The Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians will also receive assistance.

The storm covered much of western Oregon in a thick layer of ice for several days, making travel unsafe, shattering trees and downing power lines. More than 240,000 utility customers lost power, some for nearly two weeks.