Oregon Trail Chapter Latest News

PORTLAND, Ore. – January 13, 2005 – Six emergency services volunteers serving through the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter are leaving this week to help residents of Nevada recover from heavy snow and floods.

They will fly into Las Vegas and then travel to Mesquite, where Red Cross headquarters have been established. After arriving in Mesquite, they may be deployed to other parts of Nevada.

Two volunteers are working in a mental health function. The others are working in a family services capacity, which helps affected residents identify what their immediate needs are and provide cash assistance for replacement items for long term recovery.

Newberg resident Don Parrish is available to speak with media at the Alaska Airline ticket counter at 4:30 p.m. today. On Friday morning, Oregon City resident Jan Stennick will be at the America West ticket counter at 7:00 a.m. Please page Mary Miller at (503) 940-2019 if you plan to meet them at Portland International Airport.

Three volunteers who have left or are leaving are from Beaverton and Lake Oswego. Iris Newhouse of Northeast Portland, left for Nevada, with this being her 99th disaster response.

The first two weeks of this year are blowing in with bad weather across much of the country. The American Red Cross is also assisting those affected by the latest winter storms to move across California and the Great Lakes region.

In California, heavy rains and snowfall have caused flooding and mudslides. Several Red Cross shelters are supporting the needs of more than 150 evacuees.

Ohio and Indiana have been hit with the same storm, but with very different results. While the northern sections of these states have received a blanket of ice, the southern portions have received rain. As the weather warms, there is an increased risk of flash flooding. During the last week, Red Cross volunteers have opened more than 60 shelters to provide a warm, safe place for more than 1,850 people and have served more than 27, 500 meals and snacks.

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American Red Cross, Oregon Trail volunteers respond to house fires every 32 hours on average.
To assist the Red Cross in providing disaster relief, please call (503) 528-5634.
To prepare yourself and your family for fire or other disasters, go to www.redcross-pdx.org