Local police officials and National Guard troops traveled through waist-high brown water to reach flood victims in the downtown neighborhoods.

CENTRALIA, Wash. – Nature’s fury hit hard for thousands of families along the coasts of the states of Washington and Oregon earlier this month.

Shortly after back-to-back storms hammered the Pacific Northwest, widespread flooding left much of the area’s land underwater and thousands without power.  Some areas received close to a foot of rainfall over a 24-hour period and flash-flooding raged through numerous shops, stores, and homes. 

The 2,200 population of Vernonia, Ore., was isolated by landslides that blocked all access to and from their small town.  In Centralia, Wash., nearly 10 feet of water shut down a three-mile section of Interstate-5. 

An OBI Hunger Strike Force truck delivers pallets of food and drinks to Centralia Open Bible Church for distribution to flood victims.

John Heddens, pastor of Centralia’s Open Bible Church, opened up his church parking lot to Operation Blessing to utilize as a staging area for distribution of much-needed relief and supplies. 

To date, Operation Blessing’s Hunger Strike Force has delivered 43,000 pounds of soup, baby food, and drinks for distribution to flood victims, many of whom cannot use city water due to widespread contamination.

The local Salvation Army is also partnering with OBI and the church to help distribute water to residents.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of Operation Blessing’s ongoing disaster relief efforts by making an on-line donation today! With your support, OBI can continue to bring emergency food, water and medical care to those who are caught in the midst of disaster.

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