An atmospheric river is causing dangerous flooding in the Pacific Northwest, leading to landslides, water rescues, flooded neighborhoods and roadways. Schools are closed and rail service disrupted. The American Red Cross is responding and offers steps people can follow to help them stay safe.
Over the weekend, storms dropped more than a foot of rain in some areas. The latest severe weather brought more heavy rain to areas already saturated. And the danger isn’t over ─ some weather experts report another atmospheric river could hit the region this coming weekend.
CLIMATE CRISIS The climate crisis is driving extreme weather across the country. As these extreme weather disasters increase, more people need help from the Red Cross. Find out more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis here.
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.
If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Head for higher ground and stay there.
Tune into your local radio, NOAA radio or news channels for the latest updates. If your neighborhood is prone to flooding, prepare to evacuate quickly if necessary. Follow evacuation orders and don’t return until officials say it is safe.
Stay away from floodwaters. Beware of snakes, insects and other animals that may be in or around floodwaters and your home.
Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwaters.
If power lines are down, don’t step in puddles or standing water.
Stay alert and awake. Many deaths from landslides occur while people are sleeping.
Listen to local news stations on a battery-powered radio for warnings of heavy rainfall.
Consider leaving if it is safe to do so.
If you suspect imminent danger, evacuate immediately. Inform affected neighbors if you can, and contact your public works, fire or police department.
Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes may mean there is debris flow activity upstream so be prepared to move quickly.
Be especially alert when driving— watch for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks and other indications of possible debris flow.
If you are ordered or decide to evacuate, take your animals with you.
Consider a precautionary evacuation of large or numerous animals as soon as you are aware of impending danger.
Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
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.
