SALEM, Ore. - Oregon Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski and other state officials visited coastal towns in the northwest part of the state hit hard by widespread flooding.
They arrived in Vernonia, Ore., via an Oregon Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, and spoke with residents and town officials affected by heavy rains which pounded the Oregon coast Dec. 2 and 3.
"I will make requests to FEMA, and get a hold of a Congressional delegation, because (recovery efforts) will be ongoing," the governor said, during a press conference held at the Oregon Army National Guard aviation facility following the group's return to Salem.
Both the governor, and Brig. Gen. Mike Caldwell, deputy director, State Affairs for the Oregon National Guard, lauded the quick response of local and state agencies. They pointed to the recent inter-agency emergency exercise, TOPOFF 4, held in mid-October, in helping prepare rescue and relief agencies for such a disaster.
The Oregon National Guard in particular, said the governor, is very good at conducting relief efforts.
"But now we're doing a great job at recovery," he added.
Several Oregon National Guard units are currently dispersed throughout the hardest-hit communities on the Oregon coast, helping with relief efforts.