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If you have any questions or needs please call the EOC office at
360-754-3360.
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- Thurston County Responds to December Floods
While residents of Lewis and Grays Harbor counties received the brunt of the
record flooding in December, Thurston County families were hard hit in the
Rochester/Grand Mound area. Trailer parks, individual homes, farms and
businesses were swamped with water. When the water receded, residents faced
the daunting task of returning to homes coated with mud, ruined flooring and
insulation and threatened water systems.
Thurston County residents reported more than $9 million dollars in uninsured
structural damages and $2.3 million in personal losses for a total of $11.7
million.
County offices and departments reacted quickly to the disaster. The county's
Emergency Management Division activated the EOC (Emergency Operations
Center) on Pacific Avenue. A team of call receivers answered questions and
concerns from the public. EOC staff also kept the general public informed
through media releases to local newspapers, radio stations and television.
Working with ROOF (Rochester Organization of Families), the Red Cross, and
other community groups, the EOC helped provide fresh drinking water,
overnight shelters, firewood, and other services.
Meanwhile rescue teams from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office deployed in
boats and helicopters, rescuing more than 60 stranded flood victims.
Deputies also patrolled flooded areas and kept an eye on flooded roads.
Development Service staff immediately began inspecting homes, while Public
Health workers provided help and information about well water safety, flood
clean-up and other issues. Free disposal of flood-related debris was made
possible by the Water & Waste Management Department.
One week after the flood, the county set up a community meeting in Rochester
to listen to the concerns of flood victims and to answer questions about
flood relief. This was followed by a second community meeting the next
week. The county also worked with Lewis County to set up a forum for the
Hispanic communities of both Lewis and Thurston counties. This meeting,
conducted almost entirely in Spanish, was held in Centralia and drew over
100 community members.
We thank all county workers and members of the public who worked long, hard
hours to help those in need.
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- ROOF Community Services
ROOF has collected many donations from generous residents and businesses for
Flood victims. Flood victims can come during normal business hours to pick
up supplies. ROOF is only accepting Cash donations for victims as well as
Space Heaters. ROOF is located at 10140 Highway 12, Rochester (behind the
community center). Call ROOF Community Services at 360-273-6375 for more
details.
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- Water
Testing
You can pick up your water testing kits at ROOF Community Services during
their normal business hours. As of now the county is picking up samples
daily. If you are on a public well or use community water your water does
not have to be tested.
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- Thurston County Emergency Management
If you have any questions or need updates please call EM at (360) 754-3360
or visit them online at: www.co.thurston.wa.us/em
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