SPOKANE, Wash. — As historic flooding continues to force evacuations across western Washington, the American Red Cross is operating multiple shelters and preparing volunteers from neighboring states to support ongoing response efforts. Local agencies from the Inland Northwest are also assisting with rescue operations.
In Spokane, the Spokane Fire Department has already deployed crews to the west side of the state following an emergency request for help. At the same time, the Red Cross is working to keep shelters operational as more families evacuate flood-impacted communities.
Kristin Goodwillie with the American Red Cross Northwest Region said shelter locations are shifting as conditions change and crews respond to where the need is greatest.
“We are just talking with emergency crews and going after what they are saying and meeting the need that they are expecting from us,” Goodwillie said. “And so we’ve worked and partnered with them. They will tell us what we need.”
The Red Cross has opened several shelters near impacted areas, providing more than just a place to sleep. Goodwillie said many evacuees are stopping in for basic necessities and support during a stressful time.
“Many people have come for a warm meal, to charge their phone, to sleep, and some of them just come and then charge their phone and leave,” she said. “We don’t want them to not evacuate because they don’t want to leave their pets at home. And so bring the pets and bring everybody to be safe.”
While the Red Cross focuses on sheltering displaced residents, Spokane and Spokane Valley fire crews are helping with water rescues on the west side.
Spokane Fire Department Information Officer Justin De Ruyter said the county received a request from the state for specialized water rescue teams.
“The county received an emergency request from the state, and the request was specifically for water rescue teams to respond to the west side,” De Ruyter said. “Spokane Valley filled the request with six firefighters, and we filled the request with six firefighters, so we sent a team of 12 over.”
De Ruyter said the teams arrived in Snohomish County early Tuesday morning and were immediately deployed into flooded neighborhoods.
“They got into Snohomish County around 1 o’clock in the morning and were on the streets today,” he said. “They had a couple of rescues and worked with a National Guard helicopter. They’re mostly using inflatable kayaks, going through neighborhoods and helping people get to safe ground.”
Red Cross officials say shelter locations will continue to change as river levels fluctuate. The organization says it will keep shelters open for as long as families need assistance.
Shelter locations can be tracked through the Red Cross Emergency app.
