Southern Oregon – With winter holidays around the corner, the American Red Cross Cascades Region has mobilized more than 120 trained staff and volunteers to assist in disaster relief efforts throughout northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. In response to severe flooding, road closures, landslides and power outages caused by recent winter storms the Red Cross has opened nine shelters, served more than 3,800 meals and snacks, and has distributed more than 550 relief items to residents in Tillamook, Columbia, Clackamas and Multnomah counties, and in Clark, Cowlitz and Pacific counties in Washington.
On Sunday evening, two shelters were opened in mid-southern Oregon to provide a warm and safe place for residents who are without power due to severe weather. Currently, several thousand remain without power. Shelters are open at:
o Roseburg – Vinestreet Baptist Church at 2152 Vinestreet, Roseburg, 97470
o Grants Pass — Josephine Co. Fairgrounds at 1451 Fairgrounds Rd in Grants Pass, 97527
This past weekend, Red Cross volunteers conducted mobile recovery services in in Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah and Tillamook counties in Oregon and in Clark, Cowlitz and Pacific counties in Washington. Distribution of mobile resources, including clean-up kits, snacks and water, will continue today in the Kelso area and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Vernonia. Also today, Red Cross will conduct disaster assessment in parts of Tillamook Co.
“Our volunteer teams have been working around the clock to provide services for the individuals and families affected by these winter storms,” said Amy Shlossman, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Financial contributions to the Red Cross train our local disaster responders, equip our emergency response vehicles, preposition supplies, activate shelters, provide a safe place and warm meals for those in need, and help families begin their road to recovery through direct assistance and other support.”
According to Shlossman, the Red Cross has seen an unprecedented number of responses this year. Since July, the Cascades Region has responded to three major disasters including the severe weather response that local teams are currently managing, the mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg in early October, and wildfires that swept central/eastern Oregon in August. Meanwhile, local disaster response teams continue to respond to local home fires an average of twice a day.
“Every eight minutes the Red Cross responds to a disaster across this country,” said Shlossman, “and the services we provide are free. As we enter the holiday season, we encourage people to make a donation to the Red Cross — as a gift in someone’s name and to support the great work that our volunteers do throughout the year. The generosity of donors enables us to help the nearly 70,000 people who turn to the Red Cross every year for assistance with disasters big and small.”
Financial contributions to the American Red Cross provide hope and comfort to people affected by community disasters, and make it possible to help disaster victims anywhere and anytime. Donations are used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small — providing food, shelter and relief supplies, to emotional support and recovery planning. Click or call today to make a donation: www.redcross.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS.
