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.
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.
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
Inside Your Home:
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:
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:
"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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