The CHE (Center for Humanitarian Engagement) here at Walla Walla University provides vital support and training for any natural disasters that may occur here in Walla Walla.
In February 2020, the Walla Walla Valley was hit with intense flooding, led by an overflowing Umatilla River. This was caused by a combination of significant, constant rainfall and melting snow. [1]
CHE Executive Director David Lopez remembers receiving a call from Walla Walla County Emergency Management Director Liz Jessee asking for a group of students to help fill sandbags. Hundreds of volunteers from WWU, Whitman College, and the community showed up to help with the sandbag effort, providing a way to protect homes and businesses against the flooding. [2]
When the aftereffects of the flooding needed to be addressed, the CHE gathered more volunteers to assist with the mucking out of homes. “Mucking out” basically means to take all the mud and junk that was inside of the house and clean it out. Volunteers helped muck out homes and garages, replace ramps, and started a phone line to provide a centralized place to request help and give information. Students running the line distributed this information to the appropriate agencies so that everyone was on the same page. [3]
As a resource for recovering survivors, the CHE created the Blue Mountain Long Term Recovery Group, which is a group dedicated to helping survivors return to “safe, sanitary, secure and functional living conditions.” [4] In addition, the Blue Mountain Volunteer Corps was founded with the purpose of registering volunteers so they could be notified of any future needs. At present, there are over 5,000 volunteers on the list.
After responding to the flooding, the CHE was left with an abundance of tools with no immediate use for them. This became the start of the Walla Walla Tool Library, a resource providing loans of tools to the community for whatever needs they have. Memberships start at $25/year and allow unlimited borrowing of tools. The only caveat is that all tools are recalled in case of another disaster, allowing them to be used for support. [5]
For anyone who is interested in this work, there are a couple of different ways to get involved. Firstly, you can sign up for the Blue Mountain Volunteer Corps through their website, https://getconnected.uwbluemt.org. There, you can follow agencies like the American Red Cross, CHE, or the Blue Mountain Long Term Recovery Group.
In addition, you can follow the CHE on Instagram or check their linktree for details on upcoming events. The CHE can always use volunteers, as well as photographers, videographers, and social workers. If you have time to spare, the CHE would love to put you to use!
References
Malzewski, A. (2020, February 20). Walla Walla Valley sustains damage from flooding. Whitman Wire. https://whitmanwire.com/news/2020/02/20/walla-walla-valley-sustains-damage-from-flooding/
Interview with David Lopez, 01/30/2024.
Ibid.
Blue Mountain region long-term recovery group. (2024, February 1). Blue Mountain Volunteer Corps. https://getconnected.uwbluemt.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=124741
Interview with David Lopez, 01/30/2024.
Photos
SandbagTeam. A picture of WWU students after putting together sandbags at Koncrete Industries. Photo from the CHE SmugMug.
FloodedHouse. A picture of a house surrounded by floodwater. Photo from the CHE SmugMug.
