On Sunday, February 12, more than 180,000 residents were ordered to immediately evacuate their homes and businesses for fear that the Oroville Dam emergency spillway would fail, sending potentially catastrophic levels of water down through the Feather River and devastating communities in its wake. Families had in some cases fewer than ten minutes to gather whatever belongings and cherished possessions they could before leaving their homes... possibly for a very long time.

This situation is fluid and we don't yet know how long people will be displaced. While the immediate crisis with the emergency spillway has reportedly eased, there are fears of new rain storms arriving to the area later this week. Local relief organizations are working around the clock to supply displaced families with food, shelter, medicine, and even baby diapers. The scope of the evacuation is immense, and financial resources are badly needed to ensure the wellbeing and safety of everyone impacted by this situation.  By way of example, we are receiving reports that senior citizens and families with children are sleeping in their cars outside of evacuation centers.  

There will be time to talk about what went wrong and who is accountable, but now is not the time for talk: now is the time for action. Our fellow Californians are in need, and in the Golden State, we stand ready to support our neighbors in times of need.

Please consider making a contribution of any size to our crowdfunding campaign, which is supporting The Salvation Army Western Territory .  The Salvation Army Western Territory is coordinating relief efforts across multiple evacuation sites and counties, serving not only residents of the region but also the first-responders.  100% of the donations we raise from this campaign will go towards relief efforts, with no percentage being used for administrative costs.*

For a family or individual impacted by this situation, even one day out of their home feels too long. Please help us direct resources where they are needed most and provide some small measure of relief for Californians living in these communities. We are grateful for your generous support.

For more information about this effort, please be in touch with our campaign leaders:

Heidi Hall: [email redacted]
Kimberly Ellis: [email redacted]

For more information on The Salvation Army Western Territory, please contact Jenny Barcus, Director of Donor Stewardship & Community Engagement
 at [email redacted]vationarmy.org.   This does not include processing fees by Go Fund Me.