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Just one week
into the New Year, 14 Western Washington counties suffered
flooding, some being hit only 13 months after the states worst
floods in history. The Salvation Army responded quickly to
affected areas where staff and volunteers provided food,
shelter, spiritual care and any other duties needed to aid in
the relief.
More than 600
clean-up kits were distributed throughout flood regions with
more going out as recovery efforts begin. As early reports come
in describing the aftermath of the floods, it believed no
animals suffered injuries in this latest storm. Shelters and
foster homes took in those in harms way before rivers rose. The
Salvation Army is still busy assessing the situation in areas
throughout Western Washington as waters continue to recede.
Preceding,
during, and following the floods, The Salvation Army has and
still remains an integral part of relief efforts. Below are just
some of the ways the Army is aiding various communities:
Clark
County
As a
stretch of I-5 shut down and brought commuters to a stand-still,
The Vancouver Corps stood by to feed up to 1,000 truckers should
they park at the Clark County Fairgrounds. Corps staff also
assisted with 19 residents evacuated from the Crawford House
Care Facility in Kelso after it flooded. They were relocated to
Lexington House in Vancouver where The Salvation Army provided
bedding, clothing and towels for all the residents.
Cowlitz
County
The
Longview Corps provided food for displaced residents at a Red
Cross Shelter. They fed nearly 100 people and continue feeding
throughout the area where needed.
Grays
Harbor
The
county suffered flood damage but fortunately not as severe as
the 2007 floods. The Grays Harbor Corps staff fed 30 displaced
residents at a local shelter. The Corps will continue working
closely with county officials to ensure social, safety and
health needs are met in the community.
Lewis
County
With
approximately 400 homes touched by the floods this year, early
estimates are that the county narrowly escaped the amount of
devastation brought by the December 2007 storms. The Centralia
Corps opened its doors the first day of the rains, providing
local residents with food and shelter. An emergency disaster
canteen provided mobility to make and take meals to volunteers
in the county. As of publication date, more than 500 meals were
served to those in need and 100 people sheltered. Vouchers will
be distributed accordingly, to those who need additional housing
and other assistance. The Centralia Corps continues working with
Lewis County Emergency Management to distribute clean-up kits
and help in the recovery process.
Pierce
County
Efforts are being focused in the eastern part of the county
specifically in the town of Orting which at one point during the
floods was under a mandatory evacuation. Staff and volunteers
from The Puyallup Corps helped set up 1,000 sand bags and
Olympia Corps members sent hundreds of clean-up kits into
Orting. Those clients affected in the county can register at
either the Puyallup or Tacoma corps to receive vouchers good for
emergency medical treatment, food and lodging. Vouchers to The
Puyallup Salvation Army Thrift Store and other local vendors are
also available for clothing and household items. In-kind goods
including furniture and clothing can be donated at the thrift
store. Food donations can be donated directly to the Puyallup
Corps building.
Snohomish
County
Everett Corps staff fed volunteers in Stanwood as they spent
days sandbagging local rivers. As roads re-opened after the
floods, clean-up kits were distributed into rural parts of the
county. As damage is assessed vouchers will be appropriately
provided for further recovery assistance. Sat. Jan. 17, 2009,
the corps is spear-heading a mass clean-up party throughout the
county, where hundreds of volunteers are expected to provide
assistance in various cities and neighborhoods.
Report
provided by Stacey Howard, Community Relations Director,
Northwest Division, Cell: 206-714-1469
Published by The Salvation Army, USA Western Territory |
