Aid for Victims of Hurricane Katrina

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In response to the terrible devastation across the Gulf Coast, Mayor Greg Nickels is encouraging donations to aid agencies to respond to the immediate needs for basic survival and is working with Seattle emergency personnel, other mayors and the State of Washington on a strategy to help the affected areas get back on their feet.

“New Orleans, a city only slightly smaller than Seattle, is struggling to aid its people and to completely evacuate,” Nickels said. “Every town on the Mississippi coast has been shredded, from their waterfronts and for miles inland. Mobile and the Alabama coast are struggling with flooding and wind destruction.

“There are people in the Gulf states who are still waiting for rescue and who are completely dependent on government and aid agencies for their basic survival,” Mayor Nickels said. “They need water and food, and they need it now. The best thing we can do right now is give money to the organizations that are providing these essential services.”

Eleven Seattle firefighters, one police officer and one rescue dog, serving as members of FEMA’s Puget Sound Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, have already left for Mississippi. Firefighters from all over the region left Wednesday afternoon.

In a plea to City of Seattle employees and residents, the mayor identified several organizations, both national and local, who are on the ground right now and are providing food, water and medical care. Those organizations include the Red Cross, Second Harvest, Northwest Medical Teams and Mercy Corps. The mayor stressed that giving financially to these groups will allow them the flexibility they need to identify and fill the needs of the people in the path of Hurricane Katrina.

The mayor noted that the needs of the Gulf Coast will not let up, even once basic services are secured and reliable distribution of essentials is established. Recovery and reconstruction efforts will begin soon and will continue for years.

“I have been deeply touched by the citizens who have contacted City Hall with their desire to help and their desire to see the City help,” Nickels said. “Organizations, universities, businesses and individuals all over the city have been quick to offer assistance in the form of education, food, clothing, and their own homes.”

The City has already started a broad emergency response.

A public-private partnership will work to identify available housing. The private group is coming together to work with the mayor and the City to raise funds and identify the housing resources that could be made available to displaced residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The private-sector leaders include Herb Bridge, Nancy Lux, Mike Kunath and Puget Sound Business Journal Publisher Mike Flynn.

Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle City Light, the Seattle Department of Transportation and the Seattle Police Department are identifying the resources and expertise in their departments that can respond when called upon. In addition to rescue efforts, which are already underway, the U.S. Conference of Mayors is working with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to identify and meet the long-term needs of these communities, including include repairing and rebuilding roads and utilities, temporary and permanent housing for thousands, and job creation.

The City is organizing a series of Days of Giving, similar to the one that was held for the victims of the South Asian tsunami. Dates and giving stations will be announced next week.

The mayor will also be working with the heads of other local organizations and governments on a coordinated Seattle Response.

“By teaming up with the churches, non-profits, schools, businesses, universities and others, Seattle can be strong, effective agent for change,” Nickels said. “Rebuilding the cities, towns and neighborhoods of the Gulf Coast will take years, and we want to make sure that the help we give makes a difference in people’s lives.”

City of Seattle Day of Giving for Hurricane Katrina Relief -- You can still help.

New Developments

Community Service Offices Provide Relief for Katrina Evacuees

The Department of Social and Health Services has offices available to help people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. These Community Services Offices (CSO) help eligible people sign-up for food stamps, medical coverage and income assistance.

Click here to locate the nearest Community Services Office

For more information, call Toll Free at 1-800-865-7801 (8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday), or visit the DSHS web site at www1.dshs.wa.gov/.

Assistance for Katrina Evacuees Coming to Washington State

All evacuees who have come to Washington on their own to stay with friends and family should register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by logging on to www.fema.gov in order to receive FEMA assistance. TTY: 800-462-7585. Washington state has also established a disaster assistance help line to assist evacuees in obtaining disaster benefits available from the federal government; the telephone number is 1-800-688-3469.

How you can help

Donate Online

www.redcross.org: You can also call (800) HELP NOW or visit www.seattleredcross.org. At least 91 percent of earmarked donations will go for hurricane relief services.

www.secondharvest.org - "America's Food Bank" has pledged to use 100% of earmarked donations for hurricane relief services.

www.nwmedicalteams.org - NW Medical Teams are gearing up to support the affected areas; 96% of their donations benefit their relief services.

www.mercycorps.org - Their focus will be to assist families who have been displaced and/or lost their homes to Katrina; 92% of their donations benefit their relief services.

www.habitat.org - Habitat for Humanity International will be helping to provide assistance and rebuilding opportunities in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast.

www.hsus.org - Humane Society of the United States' (HSUS) Disaster Relief Fund will be helping to rescue animals and assist their caregivers in the disaster areas.

Stay Informed

King County Emergency Coordination Center website

Share Goods & Services

If you have housing, clothing, non-perishable food, or other goods and services that you would like to offer, the State of Washington has set up a hotline and information clearinghouse. They are also encouraging donors Washington Cares Fund, in collaboration with Washington Mutual. You can give at any WaMu branch office.

For more information, call the Operation Evergreen Community Support Line at 1-800-941-2930.

Be sure to earmark your donation so that it goes directly to Hurricane Katrina, and keep aware of internet scams. Donate to one of these organizations or another that you trust, and check the Secretary of State’s website to ensure that they are registered charitable organizations.

Search for a missing friend or family member

Listing of various websites established to help you find your loved ones

MSNBC News - Katrina Missing Person’s Sites

Submit Missing/Stranded Persons Request - US Dept. of Homeland Security

Assist with housing

HurricaneHousing.org - Online service where you can Offer housing to Hurricane survivors

How to prepare locally for a disaster

Getting Prepared
Seattle Emergency Management

Project Impact
Working to build a disaster resistance community by encouraging action before a disaster occurs.