The Red Cross Cascades Region is no longer being asked to open a shelter at the Johnson Park Community Center in Rosburg, WA. We know the situation is evolving in our area and we remain ready to respond if needed. 

Please feel free to use the flooding safety tips below which still apply.  

Flooding can develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can be sudden and violent. Climate change increases our risk of many types of flooding. But we can take action to prepare. Prepare now to protect yourself and your loved ones.

BEFORE A FLOOD

Understand Your Flood Risk

• Learn about the types of flooding that can impact your home and community. Types of flooding include flash floods, river floods, storm surges, coastal floods, burn scars, debris flows, ice/debris jams, snowmelt, dry wash, dam breaks, and levee failures.
• Reach out to your local office of emergency management for advice.
• Know your home and community’s flood risk. Visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and search for your home using your address.

Make Plans to Stay Safe

• Flash floods can be sudden and violent. You may have little to no warning. Designate a place on higher ground that you can get to quickly. Plan to move to higher ground before flooding begins.
• River floods: Know if you are in an area that is prone to river floods. Review your evacuation plan so that you can leave quickly if officials advise you to evacuate.
• Storm surge: Be prepared to evacuate immediately if local officials advise. A storm surge can cause water levels to rise quickly and flood large areas in just minutes.
• Coastal flooding: Be prepared to evacuate immediately if local officials advise. Move inland before flooding begins

DURING A FLOOD

Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown!

• Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Just 6 in (15 cm) of fast-moving floodwater can knock you over, and 12 in (30 cm) can carry your vehicle away

AFTER A FLOOD

Prevent Injuries

• Understand the dangers you may face and keep your loved ones safe.
• If you evacuated, wait for officials to say it is safe before going home.
• Avoid fallen power lines, poles, and wires. They can electrocute you.
• Watch out for falling trees and other debris.
• Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns, rather than candles, to reduce fire risk.
• Many injuries happen during cleanup. Wear protective equipment, like boots, long pants, work gloves, eyewear, and an N95 respirator to protect your lungs. Follow the advice of local public health officials.
• Learn how to use equipment safely. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water because you could get electrocuted.
• Cleaning up is a big job. Take care of yourself. Work with a partner and take frequent breaks.

Protect Your Health

• Flooding can contaminate drinking water. Check with your local public health department about drinking water safety.
• Don’t get sick from eating spoiled food. Throw out food that got wet or warm. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Stay away from floodwaters. They may contain sewage, sharp items, and chemicals that can make you ill.
• If your home was flooded:
  • If possible, dry your home and everything in it as quickly as you can within 24 to 48 hours.
  • If you cannot return to dry your home within 24 to 48 hours, you should assume you have mold growth. When it is safe to return home, completely dry everything, clean up the mold and make sure you don’t still have a moisture problem.
  • Keep wet areas well-ventilated. Throw away wet materials that can’t be repaired or dried.
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, tent, or camper – or even outside near an open window. Carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, get to fresh air right away – do not delay.

Take Care of Yourself

• It's normal to have a lot of bad feelings, stress, or anxiety.
• Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help you deal with stress.
• You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

Click here for more safety tips and to download our Flood Safety Checklist. Be sure to add the FREE Red Cross Emergency app to your smart device for localized weather alerts and shelter locations.

What's the Difference Between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning?

A flood/flash flood WATCH means a flood or flash flood is possible.

A flood/flash flood WARNING means flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon. TAKE IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS!

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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The Red Cross Has Cold Weather Safety Reminders.

Portland, OR (11/30/2023) – A winter storm warning is in place in many parts of Oregon and SW Washington Friday morning through Sunday. That means the mountains are expected to see heavy snow and the valleys will see heavy rainfall. Wind gusts could be as high as 55mph. The Red Cross has some tips to weather the storm, whether you are staying home or if you have plans to travel over the passes. 

Outside Your Home

1. Allow enough time to get where you are going. 
2. Keep a snow shovel, ice scraper, blanket, warm clothes, and other emergency supplies in your car. 
3. Minimize travel because traffic lights may be out, and the roads may be icy and dangerous. Don’t drive through large puddles or flooded areas.
4. Watch for fallen trees and powerlines and stay clear of them until help can arrive.
5. Make sure everyone has their seat belts on and give your full attention to the road.
6. Do not follow other vehicles too closely. Sudden stops are difficult on snowy roadways.
7. Do not use cruise control when driving in winter weather.
8. Do not pass snowplows.
9. Ramps, bridges, and overpasses freeze before roadways.
10. Always stay connected with loved ones and neighbors to make sure they know where you are and that you are safe. 

Inside Your Home:

1. Plan to stay warm. Make sure you can safely heat your home. Dress in layers. Check insulation, caulking and weather stripping. Learn how to keep your pipes from freezing. 
2. Learn emergency skills. First aid and CPR skills are important to learn. Have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to keep your home safe. Keep generators outside, keep 3 feet of clearing around space heaters, and make sure your gas fireplace or other heating sources are working properly. Recognize the warnings of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you feel dizzy or nauseous, go outside and call 9-1-1.
3. Stay connected through local media channels. Have a battery-operated radio. Download the Red Cross Emergency App to stay informed. 
   Redcross.org/apps
4. Gather emergency supplies. Have fresh water (one gallon per day per person), non-perishable foods, and medications on hand. Ideally, you should have a 2-week supply.
5. If you lose power, have a working flashlight available. Unplug appliances and turn off lights so you do not get a surge when the power returns. Keep the doors to the refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to keep the cold inside and your food supply safe.

Why It's Important to Prepare

Extreme weather disasters are becoming more frequent in the United States. In 2023 alone, we have seen 25 billion-dollar disasters, forcing people to flee their homes because of storms, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. These back-to-back disasters have also forced the cancellation of blood drives, straining our nation’s blood supply. 

“Preparing for disasters before they happen can help us recover more quickly from them and more importantly, it can save lives,” says Red Cross Cascades CEO Priscilla Fuentes. 

DOWNLOAD APPS
People can download the Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to weather alerts for their area and where loved ones live. Expert medical guidance and a hospital locator are included in the First Aid App in case travelers encounter any mishaps. Both apps are available to download for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross:  

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit @redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.  

Donate on Giving Tuesday or give blood during the holidays to help for future crises

Portland, OR (NOVEMBER 21, 2023) — In 2023, extreme disasters took a devastating toll on people in the U.S. who turned to the American Red Cross for help coping with a record number of billion-dollar disasters.

So far this year, an all-time high of 25 billion-dollar disasters ravaged communities across the country and in the Cascades Region, wildfires resulted in nearly 400 overnight shelter stays in 2023. Back-to-back disasters led to a series of blood drive cancellations, which further strained the national Red Cross blood supply that was already dwindling from summer travel and back-to-school activities.

“Growing extreme disasters are causing more humanitarian needs for families in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” explained Priscilla Fuentes, CEO, Red Cross Cascades. “This holiday season, please remember those who need support in the face of emergencies — and join us to provide care and comfort by making a financial donation or by giving blood or platelets.”

Help on Giving Tuesday and during the holidays by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets. Individuals can also register for volunteer opportunities in their area.

INCREASING SUPPORT AMID EXTREME DISASTERS With the growing frequency and intensity of climate-driven disasters, the Red Cross is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity across the country. As part of this national work in 2023, the Red Cross distributed $108 million in financial assistance directly to people after disasters of all sizes, including for wildfire recovery in the Cascades Region.

Across the country, the Red Cross is delivering this vital financial assistance on top of its immediate relief efforts — including safe shelter, nutritious meals and emotional support — which have been provided on a near-constant basis for this year’s relentless extreme disasters. In fact, this year’s onslaught of large disasters drove an increase in emergency lodging provided by the Red Cross with partners — with overnight stays up more than 50% compared to the annual average for the previous five years. 

In the Cascades Region we opened four times as many evacuation shelters in June than previous years because of a wildfire season that burned more than 250,000 acres across Oregon and SW Washington. Altogether, nearly 200 of our local volunteers responded to disasters in 2023, including more than 770 in the Cascades Region.

RESPONDING TO ADDITIONAL EMERGING NEEDS Beyond extreme disasters, people stepped up through the Red Cross to address other emerging needs for communities, including:

• BLOOD DONATIONS: As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is grateful for the millions of donors who rolled up a sleeve throughout the year and helped us meet the needs of patients in the Cascades Region in 2023. To further improve people’s health outcomes, the Red Cross has been working with community partners to introduce blood donation to a new and more diverse generation of blood donors — which is critical to ensuring that a reliable blood supply is available to the 1 in 7 hospital patients who need a lifesaving blood transfusion. The holidays can be a challenging time to collect enough blood for those in need. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS. As a thank-you, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Dec. 1-17 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Terms apply. See rcblood.org/Amazon.
• LIFESAVING TRAINING: This year, the Cascades Region has trained more than 57,000 people in lifesaving-skills while, nationally, the Red Cross expanded its training to empower people to act during current-day crises — which is vital considering that nearly half of U.S. adults report being unprepared to respond to a medical emergency. This included launching the new “Until Help Arrives” online training course last spring for opioid overdoses, severe bleeding, cardiac arrest and choking emergencies, and partnering with professional sports leagues through the Smart Heart Sports Coalition to help prevent tragedies among student athletes by offering CPR training and increasing access to AEDs. 
• MILITARY FAMILIES: Red Cross workers helped service members on U.S. military installations and deployment sites worldwide — including in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. As part of our support this year, Red Cross volunteers delivered emergency communications messages connecting more than 87,000 service members with their loved ones during times of family need, while also engaging members in morale and wellness activities during deployments.

Visit www.redcross.org/CascadesGiving for more information about how the Red Cross Cascades Region helped people in 2023.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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Double Your Impact in November!

Salem, OR (November 17, 2023) In this season of giving, the American Red Cross in Salem is partnering with Marion Polk Food Share to launch the first of what we hope will be many joint food and blood drives. We’ll be working together to give back to the community in a truly life changing way. 

What you can do from now until November 27: 

• Donate nonperishable food items at our Red Cross office and blood donation center at 1860 Hawthorne Ave NE in Salem, just north of I-5 and Market Street.
• Make a blood donation appointment at the same location: https://rcblood.org/45VSjzR.

 "Our humanitarian missions and dedicated volunteers are working together to provide for people in need in our communities," explained Stephen Grady with the Salem Red Cross.  "We look forward to seeing the positive impact in our community now and in the future.”  

Each blood donation we collect can help save more than one life. Every 2 seconds, someone in the United States needs blood and the need for blood does not slow down during the holidays. 

Food donations stay right here in our community to help feed kids, families, and seniors who must choose between food and other life necessities. Just last year Marion Polk Food Share provided more than 8 million meals in the community and provided more than 800 meals each day for seniors and disabled adults.

Help make an impact and add saving lives to your list of great accomplishments.  This is an opportunity to maximize your giving during this season. To learn more about this partnership and to make a blood donation appointment visit  https://rcblood.org/45VSjzR.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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