Back-to-back storms in the Pacific Northwest caused massive flooding. Photo: DNN
Recovery efforts are under way in the Pacific Northwest after hurricane-force winds earlier this month toppled acres of trees, and torrential rainfall caused massive flooding that ripped out bridges, buckled pavement and inundated homes with up to 25 feet of water.
In some cases, there is nothing to recover. Preliminary findings indicate that damage is more widespread and extensive than originally expected.
Following appeals from the governors of both states, President Bush issued federal disaster declarations for Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, Tillamook and Yamhill counties in Oregon and for Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties in Washington. The declarations only provide relief for state and local governments and do not provide assistance for individuals. One day later, Bush approved individual assistance for residents in Columbia and Tillamook counties in Oregon and Grays Harbor and Lewis counties in Washington. More counties may be added later.
The move allowed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up operations at the scene, establish an 800-number for people to register for assistance and bring in emergency supplies of food, medicine and other items. It also set in motion a program where individuals can meet one-on-one with caseworkers who will review their circumstances and then help them line up assistance and low-interest federal loans.
Uninsured households are eligible for up to $28,800 in reimbursements. The assistance is available to renters, homeowners and businesses that suffered storm-related damage. More than 1,600 people in Lewis and Grays Harbor counties, two of the areas hardest hit, have applied for federal disaster relief money since Sunday, according to the latest reports.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team (PDA-NRT) members Bobb Barnes and Morella Larsen are working in the Tacoma, Washington, area with the Presbytery of Olympia. Assessments have determined that about 300 homes have been destroyed.
"Because many of these areas are very rural — just a few houses grouped together and not really part of any municipality — we're finding more and more as we go," Barnes said. "Tuesday we just discovered a couple more coastal communities without electricity."
The Tacoma area was also where Interstate 5, which links Seattle and Portland, was covered with water.
PDA-NRT members Sue Hyde and Don Hampton are assisting the Cascades Presbytery in the Portland, Oregon, area where the damage has been described as significant.
"People either got hit by hurricane-strength winds or they were flooded out," Hyde said. "It's really a mess."
Although there is a need for volunteers, right now the need is only for those who can come in for the day and help clean up. A huge dump has been established where things like water-soaked drywall can be disposed of. There is currently no housing for volunteer work teams.
- Volunteers in the immediate area of Vernonia can contact Bill Eaton, pastor of Clatkanie Presbyterian Church, at (503) 728-2300.
- Volunteer work teams for future needs can register their interest by calling the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 or by registering online.
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