Disaster Distress Helpline
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Disaster Distress Helpline

Source: samhsa.gov When disaster strikes, often people react with increased anxiety, worry, sadness, anger, or other strong feelings of distress. With support from community and family, most of us are able to bounceback. However, some may need extra assistance to cope with unfolding events and uncertainties. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the nation’s only…

2022 Preparedness Calendar
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2022 Preparedness Calendar

Source: Ready.gov The Ready 2022 Preparedness Calendar is a planning tool that marks preparedness activities and provides customizable resources to help promote preparedness throughout the year. Please feel free to adapt the materials to hazards that can impact your local area. Social media toolkits are available for many weather and climate events such as extreme heat,…

Well & Septic News and Resources
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Well & Septic News and Resources

Well water testing vouchers available again If you sustained losses or damage due to the 2020 wildfires, you may be eligible for free or subsidized private well testing. Oregon Health Authority will provide vouchers for private or “domestic” water testing to fire-impacted well owners. Vouchers will cover testing for Arsenic, Nitrate, Bacteria, Lead and, depending on damage…

Feds Budget $422M to Help Oregon Address ‘long-term unmet recovery needs’ from 2020 Fires
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Feds Budget $422M to Help Oregon Address ‘long-term unmet recovery needs’ from 2020 Fires

Source: KPIC.com SALEM, Ore. – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the allocation of over than $422 million to Oregon in supplemental disaster assistance for housing recovery. The allocation for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery and Mitigation – a first for Oregon – is intended to “address long-term unmet recovery needs…

The McKenzie CDC Wants Your Feedback – Website Survey
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The McKenzie CDC Wants Your Feedback – Website Survey

As we approach the end of another turbulent year and our communities move into recovery and rebuilding mode the McKenzie CDC is taking stock of our efforts going forwards and evaluating how we can best help and support the McKenzie valley in 2022. With Covid-19 still limiting in-person gatherings and the type of on-the-ground, face-to-face…

Camp Creek Watershed Cleanup
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Camp Creek Watershed Cleanup

Join us in cleaning up the beautiful Camp Creek Watershed, tributary of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. SOLVE and the Bureau of Land Management are teaming up to remove illegally dumped and littered trash from this hidden spot off of the McKenzie River Highway. Help us to cleanup this forest in your own backyard, or…

Cleanup Update
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Cleanup Update

The Debris Management Task Force’s cleanup efforts continue across the state. For the Holiday Farm Fire, cleanup has been completed on 264 of the 285 of the properties that opted into the State’s program.  The numbers below were accurate as of October 20. You can view the live map at https://maguire.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/cc1c9d4729834dd98469536b4de6566f.  Secretary of State released audit…

McKenzie School District Needs Your Feedback on Internet Access
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McKenzie School District Needs Your Feedback on Internet Access

McKenzie School District recently won a Project OVERCOME grant that aims to rebuild and improve internet services in the region. As part of the grant, researchers are looking to understand the positive benefits that better Internet services can have. McKenzie residents are being asked to take a short online survey to help McKenzie School District understand your interest in internet…

The Hardest Lesson I’ve Learned – Cristian A. Collazo
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The Hardest Lesson I’ve Learned – Cristian A. Collazo

Last month Janicé Myers of Iron Forest posted on Facebook a heartfelt essay on the wildfire written by her son Cristian. I have posted her Facebook message below followed by his essay as it is full of meaning for all of us who lived through the disaster. Click Janicé’s Facebook post below to visit her…

Wildfire Survivors Living in FEMA Housing Unit Will Have Chance to Purchase
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Wildfire Survivors Living in FEMA Housing Unit Will Have Chance to Purchase

Source: McKenzieRebuilds.org At the request of the state, FEMA activated the Sales and Donations Program providing 2020 wildfire survivors the opportunity to purchase their currently occupied Transportable Temporary Housing Units (TTHU) at adjusted fair market value. Participation in this program is voluntary and an occupant’s decision not to participate does not impact their eligibility in…