Washington Residents Begin Cleaning Up

Dozens of residents, including Angela Tauscher are picking up tarps, brooms and other supplies at the Red Cross distribution center at Bethel Church in Chehalis, Wash. after receiving assistance at the co-located service center. Angela lost the bottom floor of her home to flood waters that is now, inches of thick of smelly mud.

Small things matter

At nine months pregnant, with only days before her due date, the last thing Cassie Brandt thought she would be doing was wading through waist deep water to escape her home flooded home.

More Assistance Available from Volunteers

Beverly Patrick was the first person to visit with Red Cross caseworker, Jim Whitehouse, when he arrived at the Jesus Christ Church of Latter-day Saints in Centralia, Wash.

Close to home

One week ago, as helicopters hovered and sirens blared throughout the small town of Centralia, Wash., lifelong resident and retired Red Cross volunteer, D.J. Sweeney, was pulling out her Red Cross hat and gearing herself up to help with what would become the worst flood she had ever seen hit her hometown. As soon as she learned the waters began to flood neighboring homes, she called into her local Red Cross office to find out how she could help. She hadn’t been an active volunteer for a while because she was caring for an ailing relative, but she was trained and knew they would need help. Minutes later, she was on her way to one of several Red Cross shelters already set up to receive evacuees.

“SPONTANEOUS VOLUNTEERS” PROVIDE LOCAL SUPPORT TO RED CROSS EFFORTS

PORTLAND, Ore. - Over the past week, specially trained American Red Cross volunteers from across the nation have been deployed to the Northwest to provide food, shelter, counseling and care for families in hard hit communities along the northern Oregon coast.

But behind the scenes, a different type of volunteer work force has emerged to bolster Red Cross efforts from within. Dozens of local men and women with little or no emergency response training have stepped forward as “spontaneous volunteers,” eager to help their neighbors in need.

Red Cross Responds to Oregon Flooding

From Tillamook to St. Helens, the Red Cross works to help victims

PORTLAND, Ore. – Rain storms that caused flooding throughout the northern Oregon coast have damaged thousands of homes and businesses and claimed several lives. The Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering a variety of services to those affected by this flooding, from sheltering and feeding affected residents and emergency workers, to conducting damage assessment and counseling to families as they begin to recover from their losses.

Red Cross Oregon Flood Relief Headquarters Relocates

The American Red Cross headquarters for flood relief along the northern Oregon coast has moved to Beaverton, Ore. The former General Motors parts distribution center, located at 15005 SW Tualatin Valley Highway, can accommodate more than 300 volunteers, dozens of vehicles and pallets of relief supplies.From here, the Red Cross will launch its emergency response vehicles, which deliver meals to shelters, individual homeowners and emergency crews, as well as dozens of outreach teams that will visit with individuals and families to help them begin the recovery process

Red Cross Opens Service Delivery Sites

Distribution of financial assistance for Oregon flood victims begins

PORTLAND, Ore. – Beginning today at noon, the American Red Cross will open four service delivery sites to provide additional help to victims of the devastating floods that occurred along the northern Oregon coast.

At the sites, residents can meet directly with Red Cross caseworkers to discuss the possibility of financial assistance to meet disaster-caused emergency needs, including clothing, lost medicine, safe shelter and referrals. Assistance is based on each individual family’s needs. Due to high demand, service center visitors should be prepared for long lines. The service delivery sites are located at:

Vernonia – Cedar Ridge Camp
18962 Keasey Rd.
12/9: 12 - 5 p.m.

Astoria/Seaside – Camp Rilea
91204 Rilea Rd.
12/9: 12 - 5 p.m.

Tillamook – Oregon Dept. of Forestry
5005 3rd St.
12/9: 1 - 5 p.m.

Clatskanie – Clatskanie Middle School
555 SE Bryant St.
12/9: 1 - 5 p.m.
 
Starting Monday, Dec. 10, regular hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Red Cross will continue to distribute meals out of emergency response vehicles and at designated kitchens in these communities. For specific information, affected residents are urged to call 1-866-GET-INFO.

“We know that the families in these communities suffered tremendously from these storms,” said Thomas Bruner, CEO, Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross. “We may be able to assist with a Red Cross debit card to shop for things their family needs such as diapers and baby formula, new clothing and shoes, and medical supplies.”

The Red Cross asks those who want to help the organization to make financial contributions. “When someone makes a gift to the Red Cross, we use that gift to get our assistance directly to the affected families,” said Bruner. “Without these gifts, we would not be able to open service centers like we’re doing today.” To make a financial contribution to the American Red Cross, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcross.org.

Partnering with Southern Baptists to Deliver Meals and Clean Up Supplies

Convoys of Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles and moving trucks bearing the Red Cross emblem are traveling throughout Lewis County distributing warm meals, bottled water and clean up supplies to residents affected by the flood. Bringing these essential items directly to individuals and families working to clean up and repair their homes allows them to stay focused and moving forward in the recovery process. 

Red Cross vehicles will be staging out of the following Southern Baptist-operated kitchen locations:

519 N. Second Street, Pe Ell, WA 98572 

Gray’s Harbor County Fairgrounds, 32 Elma-McCleary Road, Elma, WA 98541 

Additional supplies and vehicles are being staged at:

2821 Ocean Drive (Hwy 101) Raymond, WA 98577

Clean up supplies are also available to the public at:

American Red Cross Kitsap County Office, 811 Pacific Avenue, Bremerton, WA 98337

Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fast Facts - Washington State Flood ResponseFast Facts for American Red Cross Disaster Relief in Southwest Washington

	Currently	To Date
Shelters Open	5	12
Overnight Stays in Shelters	80	1,112
Fixed Feeding Sites	0	15
Meals and Snacks Served	7,167
Red Cross Disaster Workers	291	291
Emergency Response Vehicles	14	16
Calls to 1-866-GET-INFO line	27	239