Opportunities to help flood victims

[eridani]

United Way and Ikea are helping--

The recent storms and flooding have devastated Lewis County. The residents are in dire need of basic supplies -- water, food, clothing, holiday gifts -- all matter of donations are needed. Please visit the United Way link to learn how you may help,

http://www.lewiscountyuw.com/

IKEA is also collecting donations at their Renton store,

800-570-4532
600 SW 43rd St
Renton WA 98057

Please consider having donation drives at your upcoming holiday parties to help restore order to the lives of Lewis County residents -- they need our help!

This message has also been posted at the King County Democrats and the Washington State Chairs' websites.

Submitting flood damage information--

If you didn’t sustain any storm damage but know someone who did, please forward:

INITIAL DAMAGE REPORTS

Your assistance is needed. ESCA is gathering damage reports to submit to the State at this time.

This information is critical and will help to determine whether or not the King and Snohomish County areas will qualify for individual financial assistance from FEMA.

http://www.esca1.com/2007_damage_report/damage_report.doc

If the area qualifies, then FEMA will establish a process to register for assistance at that time.

If your property has been damaged by this storm event, please submit an initial damage report by using our form.


Please note:

Submitting information through this initial process does not register you to receive assistance from FEMA. Follow-up action will be required pending a Presidential Declaration of Disaster.

To Submit Damage Information

To submit information for the initial damage report, please download the following form and return it to ESCA by Monday, December 10. Reports may be returned by any of the following routes.

Email to the attention of: julie {at} esca1.com.
Fax to: [phone]
Mail or deliver to:
ESCA
2901 228th Street SW, Ste A
Brier, WA 98036

If you have questions, please call the ESCA offices at: [phone].

Thank you.


From Governor Gregoire--

I know all of you have been following the news about what is happening in Western Washington. Sadly, as you may have heard, at least five residents have died due to the floods, and I hope that you will include them, their families and their friends, in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

I was in the South Sound yesterday meeting with officials from all branches of local, state, and federal government, as well as touring the hardest hit locations in the area. I visted Thurston and Lewis Counties, and I had to be helicoptered over Aberdeen and Ocean Shores, because those areas were still completely shut off to traffic.
Today, I will be traveling to the coastal areas to survey the situation there. It's an astonishing and heartbreaking sight to see Washington's communities underwater.

But I have hope.

I have hope because I have visited with families at shelters, and I saw smiles, heard laughter, and witnessed people comforting and supporting one another. I have hope because I know from experience that it's times like these when communities come together. I have hope because we have dedicated and qualified emergency rescue workers, Department of Transportation workers, and volunteers across the state already working in the affected areas.

I have hope because I know that Washington is up to this challenge.

I urge you to help. For more information on the local Red Cross response and to donate directly, please go to www.seattleredcross.org or call 206-323-2345.

If you would like to volunteer, or you or someone you know is in need of a shelter, Red Cross shelters can be found at the following locations:

Kitsap County
United Methodist Church , 9982 Silverdale Way, Silverdale

Mason County
Mason County Public Utilities Department,307 West Cota Street, Shelton
Theler Community Center, 22871 NE State Route 3, Belfair

Snohomish County
World Harvester Family Church, 20830 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood

Lewis County
Chehalis LDS Church, 2195 Jackson Hwy, Chehalis
WF West High School, 342 SW 16th Street, Chehalis
Edison Elementary School, 607 H Street, Centralia
Centralia Middle School, 901 Johnson Road, Centralia
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 349 North Market Blvd, Chehalis

Thurston County
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Avenue NW, Olympia
Rochester LDS Church, 18501 Paulson Street SW, Rochester
Grays Harbor County
Grays Harbor Fairgrounds, 32 Elma-McCleary Road, Elma

Additional resources can be found on my website.

Together, we are going to get through this and get Washington back on our feet. Thank you for your prayers, and thank you for your support. - Chris

[flamingyouth]

1. STILL no answer from FEMA!

Not that surprising, I know, but here we are, five days later, and no response from the federal government regarding aid. :grr:

[uppityperson]

2. More on aid and a bit on disaster declaration.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004055791_stormaid06m.html

What to give? And how will it get there?

Those who want to help Western Washington flood victims may have trouble figuring out how to do it.

That's because it's still too early to know exactly what is needed and how to get donations to the flooded areas, a representative for the American Red Cross said.

But Wednesday, the Salvation Army partnered with KOMO-TV and KOMO Radio at Ikea in Kent to gather five semi trucks full of items and about $50,000 in cash, checks and gift cards, Salvation Army spokeswoman Stacy Howard said. The goods will be shipped out today to flood victims.

Here are some other ways to help:

American Red Cross: The organization is asking for monetary donations only. To donate: 800-RED-CROSS or www.redcross.org. Donations meant specifically for the state's flood victims should be designated as such.

The Salvation Army: The greatest need is for monetary donations, gas cards and gift cards to home-improvement stores and chain stores. To donate: 800-SAL-ARMY or www.salvationarmynw.org

R. Place of Refuge: The Kent organization is accepting everything except furniture. Kelly Carroll, executive director, is asking for everything from canned food to gift cards to Christmas gifts. Information: www.rplaceofrefuge.orgor 206-255-1178. (note from OP, that last link looks odd. Trying with org gives a religious site? Not sure what's up, try calling)

Knowing what I know about Red Cross, I'm glad to see some other options too.


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004060772_webfloodmain08.html

President Bush declared Washington state's flooding a major disaster today, clearing the way for some federal aid. But state political leaders who toured hard-hit counties by helicopter said the president's declaration isn't nearly enough.

The federal money is expected to supplement recovery efforts in Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency named a coordinating officer to oversee federal recovery operations, and said more counties may be covered as officials complete damage surveys.

The declaration provides limited aid for immediate needs such as debris removal and emergency measures, said Dennis Hunsinger, regional administrator for FEMA Region X....

Please stay away mrbush. People are busy trying to do emergency stuff. Thank you.

[uppityperson]

3. and another (finding in paper, don 't know anything about)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004060744_webfloodbriefs08m.html
Curtis

Donations sought for flood victims

The Boistfort Valley Community Foundation, a non-profit organization, is asking for cash donations to aid flood victims in Curtis, Washington, one of the cities hardest-hit by last week's flood.

One-hundred percent of donations will go to local flood victims. Checks can be made out to the Boistfort Valley Community Foundation and sent care of the Lewis County Fire Department, PO Box 16, Curtis, WA 98538. For more information, call the foundation at 360-245-3207.