A Call for Help in Vernonia!(pics)

nehalemguy · 12-07-2007, 08:16 AM

Hi everyone from soggy Vernonia!

There are some folks here in town that could use some help.

As you know by now the town was hit hard by flooding. My neighborhood was hit especially hard. Several of my neighbors have wood heat as their secondary source of heat. It is now their only source for heat as they try to dry out and save their homes. The problem is that most, if not all, fire wood is now soaked and contaminated or was washed away in the flood. NWNG has shut off gas to most homes that were flooded.

We are OK in the bottled water department. I think we have enough in town to flood it again. I can't drive past the EOC or city hall without someone throwing another case in the back of the truck. We have an operational store and power.

The main shortage is manpower and tools such as wheelbarrows, shovels,trash cans, ventilation fans, pry bars, chainsaws, etc.... The state and local authorities have been working to organize volunteers but this effort has been largely directed at saving the schools and other public facilities first.

We cannot currently use our water system for cleanup so everything must be scraped off.

Many folks are now in the process of tearing everything out of their homes down to the studs. There are many home owners that need additional help doing this but we do not have enough people to go around to do it in a timely manner. This process must be done as quickly as possible before mold/rot set in.

If anyone can volunteer time or materials this weekend contact me at 503-701-1182. Bring knee boots and gloves at a minimum. Rain bibs are also advisable. If you must bring bottled water bring the Widmer or Wienhard's brands. They taste better.

Thanks!

Eric

Here are a few pics from Tuesday. This was after the water had dropped 4+ feet from the flood crest. If you look close at the garage door you can see the high water mark in the first photo.

garyk · 12-07-2007, 03:04 PM

Wow, brings back memories of '96. :frown:

I hope some folks are able to respond...scouts, civic groups?

nehalemguy · 12-09-2007, 06:49 AM

Update:

Yesterdays volunteer turnout was massive. Thanks to all who were able to be here! We also were able to utilize some inmate crews that were made avilable to us. They did a lot of the really dirty work such as pulling insulation from crawlspaces. There is still much to be done but things are beginning to improve.

Bluewater's home is a near loss. His home is on Heather Lane which is the street the media has been showing frequently. Yesterday we finished tearing out the entire home to the studs and are now waiting for the insurance company to view it. We were able to move his vehicles and RV ahead of the rising waters but had to evacuate before we could get anything from the house. Nearly everthing in the house we had to throw away.

Today we continue on.

Eric

STGRule · 12-09-2007, 07:44 AM

If it makes you feel better, ifishers have indeed been stepping up. All week.

Check HERE.

And HERE.

And HERE.

Maddie'sDaddy · 12-09-2007, 07:59 AM

Im not sure where we will be today as of yet but if we are back in that same area I will stop by and buy ya a water, I too hope that alot of guys showed but just didnt call, there was alot of people yesterday and hope the showing today matches, I have been staying at my friends house (Jason and Trish Smith)
while working to help, This little town becomes my second home during deer and elk season and it sad to see the damage this flood caused.

Shaun MD

Dave G · 12-09-2007, 01:33 PM

That is a crying shame, I hope FEMA steps up to the plate for you guys.

Fishtail · 12-10-2007, 01:33 PM

I'm heading to Vernonia on Wednesday morning and should be there between 1100-noon, with a trailer load of hay that is being donated. I don't know if there will be any equipment to help unload the hay, but some strong bodies will work just as well. These are big bales that measure 3'x3'x8'. I'll have 8 bales on my first load and I'll be bringing a second load later that day or on Thursday.

CATCH AND EAT · 12-10-2007, 04:05 PM

I think there was a darn good responce from ifishers. Some gave money, some gave items, some have given time and talents that may not be known about. Please, please, please retract your statement about being disappointed with ifishers not showing. It is simply not true. No need to grinch when you don't have the facts that are happening all around you. Ifish was there and is there. Go take a look at the food bank. Also understand that many feel inclined to help Tillamook folks too. It's all about helping our fellow man. Peace.

nehalemguy · 12-10-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishtail

I'm heading to Vernonia on Wednesday morning and should be there between 1100-noon, with a trailer load of hay that is being donated. I don't know if there will be any equipment to help unload the hay, but some strong bodies will work just as well. These are big bales that measure 3'x3'x8'. I'll have 8 bales on my first load and I'll be bringing a second load later that day or on Thursday.

PM sent

nehalemguy · 12-10-2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CATCH AND EAT

I think there was a darn good responce from ifishers. Some gave money, some gave items, some have given time and talents that may not be known about. Please, please, please retract your statement about being disappointed with ifishers not showing. It is simply not true. No need to grinch when you don't have the facts that are happening all around you. Ifish was there and is there. Go take a look at the food bank. Also understand that many feel inclined to help Tillamook folks too. It's all about helping our fellow man. Peace.

Done.

I don't wish to diminish anyones help. It is all greatly appreciated. You guys are my heros. What many folks need right now is manpower to help clean up and tear out their damaged homes. Donations of items is great but many do not currently have a home to put those items into. Saturdays response was massive. Sundays was half. There are many outlying homes that received little if any help with the cleanup.

Eric

CATCH AND EAT · 12-10-2007, 04:16 PM

Thanks Eric. There are no finer people than what we have here at Ifish. When the call for help arises I can tell you personally that these folks come charging.

I wish you all a speedy recovery out there. Hope the feds get off their bums.

Smoked Salmon · 12-11-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CATCH AND EAT

Hope the feds get off their bums.

They might show up to find all the work done. It's too damn cold to mess around right now. I don't know what kind of assistance they have in mind, but I know that no one is waiting around for them.

pdxkevin · 12-11-2007, 12:15 PM

I have heard rumors that every building in Mist was at least partially under water... is that true? Hopefully, all the smaller towns are being cared for too.

nehalemguy · 12-11-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdxkevin

I have heard rumors that every building in Mist was at least partially under water... is that true? Hopefully, all the smaller towns are being cared for too.

Not sure about this time but in 1996 90% of Mist flooded. This time is probably no different.

E

Smoked Salmon · 12-11-2007, 04:54 PM

While I was downtown today I overheard that Parr had donated some supplies to Mist, as well as to Vernonia. Very gracious of them.

Rank Amateur · 12-12-2007, 12:17 PM

I would suspect that most of Mist got hit. I know the family that was on the news that got flooded, not quite sure where they got the (highest house in town thing), but they are a ways from the main river channel and that area is fairly flat.

From what I have heard from locals that were here in '96, the Nehalem above town was higher than '96. Rock Creek was lower than '96. People above the confluence of Rock Creek and the Nehalem got 5-7 inches more flooding than '96. People below the confluence of the two streams in Vernonia got about 4 inches more. Down stream areas got less than '96. The Foss gage was about 3 feet lower than '96.

This was kinda like a flash flood, but on a little bit longer time table.

nehalemguy · 12-12-2007, 03:15 PM

I have great news! An ifish member has donated a 32 foot fifth wheel RV trailer to a displaced Vernonia family. At no cost!!!!

The donation was anonymous but you know who you are. All Hail To You!!!

Thank you so much for your generosity!

Eric

SeaSparrow · 12-14-2007, 02:39 PM

There is still LOTS of work to be done! Received this from a friend who volunteered there yesterday:

Hi All, FYI.
NW Flood victims: Vernonia is still in need of volunteers, although the press has largely moved on. I volunteered there on 13 December and there was plenty to do. It's a 2 hr drive from Corvallis or 1/2 hour from Portland. Sign in at the Vernonia city hall (mapquest Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR) and they will assign you a task. They are well-organized, friendly, and grateful for your time. They need more help during the week, if you have a choice.
There is plenty of mud-soaked sheetrock and insulation to rip out, mud to clean up, mountains of donated supplies to distribute, etc.
Wear: sturdy boots, work gloves and warm work clothes--it's about 10 degrees cooler than the valley.
Bring: a pry bar, hammer, flat-bottomed shovel or utility knife if you have one, lunch if you're vegetarian (they're generous with the beef up there), and a change of clothes.