I had made a comment on another blog that I would immediately open my home to house any evacuee who wanted the room. I have just a tiny apartment, but I’ll convert my computer room into a bedroom for anyone who needs it.
Someone else responded, “how nice, but you know there’s no way you’ll be called upon to do that.” Oh, yeah?
(KGW.com) The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to send 1,000 evacuees to Oregon was an exception to its announcement Saturday that it planned to keep displaced residents in the Southeast.
In Portland, volunteers began refurbishing the mothballed Washington-Monroe High School to care for hurricane victims for as long as six months.
Mayor Tom Potter said the city disaster team will try to line up jobs for the displaced people and that Portland schools will enroll school-age children.
The first evacuees aren’t expected until midweek.
State officials spent much of Saturday coordinating supplies and housing, and Gov. Ted Kulongoski urged Oregonians to give money to relief groups rather than calling to offer their homes as shelter.
“I know Oregonians want to help our fellow citizens coming to our state — and as soon as we have details about specific supply needs, we will make sure there is a central clearinghouse for such needs and ways to donate,” Kulongoski said Saturday.
“At this time, the best help we can offer as individuals remains financial support to the Red Cross and other relief organizations that have the experience, are the best positioned to provide assistance, and need our continued support to be successful in their relief efforts,” Kulongoski said.
State officials also were working on a system to link prospective host families with evacuees, but had no details on the group’s arrival, said Holly Armstrong, a spokeswoman for the governor.
Oregon’s Department of Human Services has issued a statement:
Although Oregon has not deployed any public health personnel, all states have been asked to work through the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) so that the response is efficient and effective.
“We are asking that individuals, who wish to help with this effort, align themselves with a designated emergency response agency such as the American Red Cross or Northwest Medical Teams,” said Allan. “We are encouraging people to not self-deploy but work through the appropriate system.”
In order to coordinate the collection of public health resources, DHS public health has activated its Agency Operations Center, which will be staffed during business hours. The phone number is (503) 872-6873. For an after-hours emergency, call 1-800-452-0311.
It is also anticipated that medical service volunteers will be needed. Information from health care professionals should be referred to the Samaritan Health Systems hotline at (541) 768-6289. The phone line will be staffed during business hours. When needed, the deployment of volunteer medical staff will also be coordinated through state systems.
The governor asks us all to help and donate to the following organizations:
Mercy Corps
P.O. Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208
800-852-2100
http://www.mercycorps.orgNorthwest Medical Teams
14150 SW Milton Ct.
Tigard, OR 97224
800-959-HEAL (4325) or 503-624-1000
http://www.nwmti.orgRed Cross – Oregon Trail Chapter
3131 North Vancouver Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
1-800-HELP NOW
http://www.redcross.org
