Emergency Flood Response in Valley West and Blue Lake

On Sunday, December 21, Arcata House Partnership (AHP) was contacted by the Red Cross regarding emergency flash flooding impacting the Valley West area of Arcata and Blue Lake.

Our shelter manager and outreach staff responded immediately. Upon arrival, staff found several trailers flooded and worked quickly to move eight households to safe, secure locations. We also received reports of encampments along the river in the Valley West area being affected by rapidly rising waters.

A safe meeting location was established while emergency accommodations were arranged. During this time, people waited in the rain as our team worked urgently behind the scenes to secure shelter. Thanks to donated school lunches, staff were able to provide granola bars, apples, and milk, offering some comfort and nourishment during an incredibly stressful situation.

AHP staff began intakes on site and continued coordinating emergency shelter services throughout the evening. By the end of the night, AHP had sheltered 40 people and 28 pets from the harsh weather conditions. Many camps were washed away and personal belongings were lost, but everyone was moved to safety in time.

We extend a huge thank you to local motel owners for their cooperation, flexibility, and generosity during this emergency. Their willingness to help made a critical difference. We are also deeply grateful to our staff, partners, and first responders who acted quickly and compassionately to protect our community’s most vulnerable neighbors during this extreme weather event.