American Red Cross Assists Oregon Flood Victims

Those who have already evacuated their homes are encouraged to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well site, where you can leave behind a message for your loved ones.

File photo Courtesy: Red Cross

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon's Red Cross Chapters are staying busy in their efforts to assist flood victims in Vernonia and other parts of Oregon and Washington.

Margaret Sanner with the Willamette Valley Chapter of the Red Cross in Salem, says Red Cross operated and supported shelters housed approximately 600 people Tuesday night, and those same shelters are helping hundreds of other residents during the day.

They are also providing approximately 3,000 meals today as the need for hot meals increase the longer communities remain without power.

Residents from the affected areas continue to make requests for water and clean-up kits, Sanner said; and approximately 1,500 additional clean-up kits have arrived from Nevada.

The agency is currently operating three Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV) delivering water and food to clients and shelters, that number is now doubling with the addition of three additional ERVs due to be in place by today.

The Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross in Portland is currently operating three shelters in response to current weather events.

The locations are:

• Tillamook -- Tillamook County Fairgrounds, 4603 E. 3rd St.
• Garibaldi -- Garibaldi Community Fire Hall, 107 6th St.
• Columbia City -- Columbia City Community Center, 2705 6th St.

There are five (5) partner shelters where the Red Cross is providing additional support and/or supplies.

• Vernonia -- Cedar Ridge Sports Camp
• Cannon Beach -- Cannon Beach Presbyterian Church
• Warrenton -- Camp Rilea
• North Plains -- North Plains Christian Community Church
• Seaside – Bob Chisolm Community Center

In addition to the efforts of the Red Cross, Margaret Sanner says local business are also helping out, adding great relief to the ongoing response.

• WalMart delivered a 53-foot trailer with water to the St. Helen's kitchen
• WinCo will be providing a 53-foot trailer with water and snacks
• Fred Meyer is providing gift cards for our use with clients
• Hoffman Construction and their construction partners will be donating 500 pairs of mud boots and 1,000 jackets and rain ponchos

Additionally, Lise Harwin with the Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross says, the Southern Baptist kitchen at St. Helens High School is preparing meals, which the Red Cross is helping to distribute to affected areas.

Sanner added, "We continue working to secure other in-kind donations" and hopes that any businesses or individuals who want to donate to offset the costs of this response should contact them.

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Those who have already evacuated their homes are encouraged to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well site, where you can leave behind a message for your loved ones.

If you are unable to register, but are able to contact a family member, ask them to register on your behalf. Family and friends will be able to search the Safe and Well site with specific identifying information and view the message you have left behind.

Following a disaster, the short message left on this site can be enough to give your friends and family peace of mind. To register a family member on Safe and Well, visit redcross.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for assistance from a Red Cross agent.

Sanner says the disaster response continues to transition from an Oregon American Red Cross-led operation to a National American Red Cross operation with human and material resources beginning to arrive from outside of the state.

For more information on the Willamette Valley Red Cross, visit their Website: redcross-salem.org