After A Disaster

Get help after a disaster

Recovering from a disaster can be a long process. But in the immediate hours after experiencing physical and emotional loss, here are some steps to take.

• Find and Notify Family and Friends After a Disaster→ - Make sure you, your family members, and your pets are safe and accounted for. If family members are missing, seek help from first responders.
• Seek Shelter or Rental Housing After a Disaster→ - If your home is too damaged or dangerous to take shelter, contact 
• Food and Water After a Disaster→ - emergency relief agencies and organizations 
• Returning Home After a Disaster→ - what to do when you first enter your home

Potential property tax relief

Property owners who have experienced sustained damage to their real or personal property from disasters may be eligible for a proration of taxes. If you qualify, you may only be responsible for a portion of your annual property taxes.

• Learn more about potential tax relief→

Assistance

After a disaster, we work with local non-profits, churches, and local, state, and federal agencies to help individuals, businesses, and local non-profit and government agencies to help those affected.

Assistance may be available from a variety of sources, including:

• Local and national non-profit organizations (American Red Cross, Oregon Food Bank, Feed the Children, Habitat for Humanity, etc.)
• Local churches
• Federal Disaster Assistance 

In the event of a large-scale disaster, Columbia County may be eligible for Federal Disaster Assistance to help you and others. Please report any property damage to authorities, with the following information:

• date of damage
• contact information 
• location of damage
• if the property is rented or owned 
• if the property is insured 
• estimated value and loss of property 
• description of damage 
• photos of the damage.