Hailstorm-Stricken Town of Wallowa Needs Help!

• The small town of Wallowa in NE Oregon was devastated by a severe hailstorm on 8/11/22

• Every building and car was impacted, and many cars were totaled

• Very little public transportation exists to get citizens to work/necessities

• Not everyone has insurance, and many losses are not covered

• Older, low-income community needs support – please help!

$100 will cover a deductible for a windshield

$150 will replace a glass-contaminated mattress

$250-400 will cover a front windshield replacement

$250-500 will cover one window replacement or auto deductible

On August 11, 2022, the community of Wallowa in NE Oregon was struck by a severe hailstorm. Hail the size of golf balls and larger smashed nearly all west-facing windows and destroyed windshields and car windows, totaling almost every car in the town of 800. In the wake of this disaster, friends and neighbors from across the county immediately showed up to help each other clean up debris, vacuum up broken glass, donate meals and plywood, cut fallen tree limbs, and board up broken windows. Unfortunately, repair will take a lot of money, and the citizens need financial support. Can you chip in to help this small rural community with a big heart?

Many people in Wallowa are older and retired, and the community is low-income. Many live in trailers with immense impacts from this storm that will make their homes a total loss. Some residents cannot afford vehicle, house, or trailer insurance. Those who can are still facing high deductibles and costs for repairs. The total loss of vehicles is particularly devastating as Wallowa is a rural community with extremely limited public transit and very few public services. Citizens are regularly required to drive 30+ minutes one way to access their jobs and essential services such as social services, medical care, car repair, and even banking and childcare.

It is unclear if or when government aid may be available, but it is clear that the citizens of Wallowa need immediate support. Your donations will support a micro-grant program administered by the Presbyterian Church in the town of Lostine, the nearest community to Wallowa. Citizens of Wallowa will be able to apply for immediate aid with essentials such as insurance deductibles, plywood to board up their windows, and windshield and other car window repairs. While this program will start with a cap of $500/application, we hope to expand to offer more aid if possible, as we know that this is only a drop in the bucket of what some families will need to rebuild. Your support will be invaluable in helping people retain access to their jobs and essential services and stay safe, dry, and warm as fall is right around the corner. Thank you for contributing to the fund, and please share this request widely!

If you need assistance and would like to apply for a micro-grant, please pick up an application at Wallowa City Hall or Wallowa Senior Center or message this page for contact information.