Red Cross seeks volunteers to prepare shelters if Green River floods

The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to help at temporary shelters that might need to be set up if flooding of the Green River this winter causes evacuations of valley residents.

People interested in helping would be trained as ReserveCorps shelter volunteers.

Volunteers must submit an online application before attending the free, day-long shelter training. A free background check is part of the training.

Classes are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Nov. 14 at the Red Cross offices at 1900 25th Ave. S., in Seattle, although that site may change depending how many people sign up.

“We are looking for volunteer shelter workers for larger-scale, disaster responses because we know that there is a higher risk for flooding in the Green River Valley this year,” said Ivy Davis Zolle, volunteer manager for Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties, in a Thursday media release. “The Red Cross ReserveCorps is a great way to help your neighbors and really make a difference in our community. Taking steps to be trained before flood season will help our area be better prepared to respond.”

Volunteers who take the class will learn the basic skills required to assist in a major local disaster.

The river could flood this winter because of a leak along an abutment next to the Howard Hanson Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the dam to control flooding in the Green River Valley, but won’t be able to store as much water as normal in the reservoir behind the dam because of the leak.

For more information or to sign up to be a shelter volunteer, go to www.seattleredcross.org or call 206-726-3566.

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