Umatilla county is home to swathes of forested peaks, steep mountainside ridges, verdant river valleys. When nature turns, these features become threats which result in catastrophes like wildfires, flooding, and landslides. 

When natural disasters occur, the damage can be extensive and the recovery process long and confusing. 

The District serves as a vital information hub, connecting landowners with regulatory authorities to facilitate access to critical resources and guidance during natural disasters. Through site visits, the District assesses damage sustained from these extreme weather events and can identify specific needs and potential projects that align with available funding opportunities.Additionally, the District offers assistance in documentation of the devastation of these events for federal assistance programs.

The Umatilla SWCD not only responds to these events, but is actively involved at the city and county level. We assist Umatilla county governance with the recovery efforts through grant writing, technical consultation, and boots-on-the-ground contacts for the recovery process.

If you have been affected by a natural disaster and would like to learn more about the ways that Umatilla SWCD can assist, reach out to District Manager Kyle Waggoner at kyle.waggoner@umatillaswcd.org.