Turn around, don’t drown! Stay off the roads.
If you must drive and you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and go another way.
The American Red Cross is responding to major river flooding across western Washington state caused by a prolonged atmospheric river event. People in some communities have been forced to leave their homes and thousands more face the threat of significant flooding as the record-setting rainfall continues over the next few days.
Many areas have already picked up anywhere from 5 to 10 inches of rain since Monday. Flood warnings have been issued as numerous rivers rise, leading to evacuations and water rescues across the region. Of particular concern is the Skagit River at Mount Vernon, now expected to crest about 15 feet over major flooding. This could impact as many as 70,000 people.
The American Red Cross is monitoring flooding activity and responding where needed to provide safe shelter to evacuees. Red Cross disaster volunteers have several emergency shelters open now and are working with state and local officials to identify more shelter sites should they be needed. Additional shelter teams and relief supplies are being deployed to the region to help, and a national leadership team is prepared to respond if necessary.
HOW YOU CAN HELP People need urgent assistance now. Help people affected by disasters like floods, storms and countless other crises with a Red Cross Disaster Relief donation by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small, whenever and wherever they occur across the country.
FIND A SHELTER We encourage anyone who needs aid to come to a shelter, you don’t have to stay overnight to get help.
Find shelter locations on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). You can also follow your local Red Cross or emergency officials on social media, sign up for free local government alerts or monitor local news.
Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability or citizenship status. All disaster assistance is free. We don’t require people to show any kind of identification to enter a shelter — just their name and where they were living before the fires.
If possible, we encourage people who plan to stay in a shelter to bring prescription medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, other comfort items and important documents.
We do everything we can to accommodate service animals and pets comfortably in our shelters. Sometimes, pets may need to be housed in a different location with support from local partners.
GET READY NOW You may need to stay where you are or go somewhere else to stay safe.
FLOOD SAFETY Be prepared to evacuate immediately if local officials advise. Don’t return home until they say it is safe.
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; 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 follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.