By Airik Myers, Northwest Region

For Alex Newman, supporting shelter operations during the recent flooding across Northwest Washington has been both demanding and deeply inspiring. Covering Snohomish, Skagit, Island, Whatcom and San Juan counties, Alex has worked closely with teams responding to historic flooding that displaced families across multiple communities.

Over the past several weeks, Red Cross staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to meet the needs of those affected. At different points during the response, the Pacific Northwest chapter operated up to five shelters, providing care for residents who were forced from their homes.

Much of that work focused on Skagit County, where flooding had a significant impact, as well as on collaboration with tribal partners, including the Nooksack Tribe, to ensure culturally appropriate support for community members in their area.

Inside the shelters, teams provide daily needs such as meals, mental health support, physical care and spiritual care, while also helping clients begin their path toward recovery.

One interaction in particular stood out to Alex. He recalled speaking with a community member who had been rescued from fast-moving floodwaters and brought directly to a shelter with nowhere else to go. After such a frightening experience, the client wanted volunteers, donors, and the public to know how grateful he was. The basics made a huge impact, such as a dry pair of socks and clean clothes. A safe place to rest and not having to worry about where the next meal would come from made an enormous difference as well.

Experiences like that highlight the impact of sheltering services during disasters. While the needs can seem small, they offer stability and dignity to people who have just lost everything.

Working on this response has reinforced Alex’s appreciation for both the Red Cross and the communities it serves. He has seen firsthand the dedication of volunteers who showed up day after day, as well as community members who opened their doors to support shelter operations. Local partners stepped in to help with logistics, language access and coordination, ensuring people received the care they needed.

“The community really stepped up,” Alex said. Being part of that collective effort has made him proud to serve the communities of Northwest Washington and to support the Red Cross mission during such a critical time.

In conclusion, Alex encourages people to stay informed about the hazards in their area and to take steps to be prepared. He also urges those looking to help to consider volunteering with the Red Cross. “Whether it’s helping a family down the street after a fire or supporting a larger operation across the country, learning the skills to help others makes a difference.”