Disaster
Latest Stories

Weather
At least 27 dead after tornadoes sweep through Kentucky and Missouri
Powerful storms and tornadoes tore through Midwestern and Southern states overnight Friday, leaving carnage and flattened buildings in their wake.

Think Out Loud
How the North Portland peninsula is preparing for a major earthquake
The North Portland peninsula, which includes the St. Johns and Cathedral Park neighborhoods, could become isolated from the rest of the city after a major earthquake.

Federal workforce
FEMA’s acting administrator is replaced a day after congressional testimony
President Donald Trump has suggested that individual states, not the federal government, should take the lead on hurricanes, tornadoes and other crises. He has been sharply critical of FEMA’s performance, particularly in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.

Federal funding
Trump administration guts federal funds that would have helped Lane County weather major disasters
The cuts appear to be part of a broader pattern across federal agencies to limit support for disaster response and to target funding for programs that respond to climate change.
Wildfire
Oregon and Washington could be in for another destructive wildfire season
The outlook for the 2025 wildfire season in Oregon and Washington looks a lot like 2024, with high temperatures and limited precipitation likely.
Environment
Loss of a federal grant program will limit Oregon’s disaster readiness, emergency management officials say
Oregon’s Department of Emergency Management says the Trump administration’s decision to abruptly cancel a hazard mitigation grant program will “significantly impact communities” across the state.

Animals
Oregon governor, congressional delegation urge feds to declare disaster for coast salmon fisheries
Oregon's commercial fishermen are seeking federal aid due to the impact of climate change on the state's salmon fisheries, marking the seventh request for disaster assistance since 2016.

Federal funding
Trump’s FEMA denies Washington disaster relief for ‘bomb cyclone’ windstorm
The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied a request from Washington state last week to help pay for damage caused during a storm last year.

What kind of support is the U.S. offering in the wake of the Myanmar quake?
The White House and former USAID staff have differing views on the nature of the U.S. response to the earthquake that struck Myanmar and neighboring countries.

Education
Disaster prep advocates face pushback over raising Oregon’s seismic standard for new school construction
Emergency preparedness advocates made another try at the Oregon Legislature this spring to raise the standard for new school construction. But it might take a political earthquake to overcome opposition from wary school associations.