Port Orford, Ore., official: Storm caused $1M in damage

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Last weekend’s storm caused at least $1 million in damages to the port of Port Orford.

Port Commissioner Brett Webb says the fleet based in Port Orford was fishing Monday, but damages to port facilities and the breakwater will make it difficult to maintain operations. One key item damaged was the computerized fuel metering system used to supply the 50-boat fleet.

Webb said the port can do a manual override on the computerized fuel metering system in order to pump fuel, but he does not know how they would be able to charge fishermen for the amount pumped.

Webb said damages to two fish buyers’ facilities, a restaurant and lost fishing opportunities amount to nearly $500,000, and damages to port facilities are likely to bring it up to $1 million. The port’s two fish buyers were operating on Monday, however.

There was no estimate on repairing a breach in the port breakwater, which protects the port channel and makes year-round port operations possible.

Curry County Commissioner David Brock Smith said the commission plans to vote Tuesday on asking the governor to declare a state of emergency to help deal with repairs. The declaration would open the way to federal disaster assistance