Cascadia today: Floods one of "most devastating" ever + BC struggles with overdose crisis + poetry by Jennifer Huang

Andrew Engelson

Andrew Engelson

— 4 min read
A section of highway is washed away next to a raging whitewater river
As floods continue to hammer Washington, Highway 2 over the Cascades is closed because of severe washouts and will remain closed for months. Photo by WSDOT, public domain.

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Flood damage extensive in WA as blizzard to hit mountains

Washington governor Bob Ferguson characterized flooding across the state as one of the "most devastating" natural disasters to ever hit the state as he released $3.5 million in short-term emergency aid. Highway 2, one of the state' most important routes over the Cascades, is closed after a major washout and will likely be shut down for months, Washington State Standard reports. Highway 12 near Naches also closed because of a washout, and Hwy 101 near Hoodsport is also closed. Cascadia Daily News has detailed assessment of damage in Whatcom and Skagit counties.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the Cascades and Olympics, with winds up to 45 mile per hour and snow accumulation anywhere from 15 inches to two feet. Please limit all travel and check the WSDOT road closure site for the latest info.

Nearly 245,000 Washington residents have lost power KING-5 News reports, and nearly 80,000 BC Hydro customers have no power in the Fraser River valley and on Vancouver Island, CBC reports. A woman in Chiliwack, BC was killed by a fallen tree. In Oregon, heavy rains have caused flooding, toppled trees, and the National Weather Service has issued flood warnings through Friday in much of western Oregon. Check ODOT's road closure site for more details.

If you or someone you know needs shelter, financial assistance, or other information this website from Washington state has a good list of resources.

To help those in need during the flooding, please make a cash donation to the American Red Cross. In north Puget Sound, Whatcom Strong is providing assistance and needs cash donations. I'm talking to folks working on mutual aid across the Puget Sound region and will have more to post at Cascadia Journal and Cascadia Democratic Action once efforts come together and it's safer to travel.

Workers with a backhoe attempt to fix a highway next to flooding river
A washout on Highway 12 closed that road as well. Photo by WSDOT.

Portland grocery workers avoid strike

The Portland Mercury reports that workers for Portland's New Season grocery stores have agreed to a contract, avoiding a strike. Meanwhile, Starbucks baristas are now more than one month into a nationwide strike for better wages, more regular schedules, and an end to unfair labor practices. As you're out doing holiday shopping DO NOT BUY STARBUCKS. More on the strike at No Contract No Coffee.

How BC is still struggling to slow overdose crisis

The Tyee has a detailed report on British Columbia's efforts to stop the fatal overdose crisis, featuring interviews with the ex-coroner of BC, Lisa Lapointe, who finds the response "extremely frustrating." As an an appeal of the conviction of Drug User Liberation Front (DULF) founders is being heard in the BC Court of Appeals, the article looks at how DULF's underground safer supply program saved lives, including TJ Felix, who is Secwe̓pemc and testified during the appeal:

Felix told the court they wanted to work with and be a member of DULF because “someone finally had the courage to do something” to address the ongoing crisis.

I recently wrote for PubliCola about the two-year decline in fatal overdoses in Seattle, and how increased access to treatment and naloxone are helping – not arrests for possession or small-scale dealing.

Memorial ride for Seattle bus driver killed one year ago

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) is helping organize a memorial bus ride in honor or slain Seattle bus driver Shawn Yim, who murdered one year ago today. A memorial bus ride, with candles lining the way along route 70 will start at 7 pm at the the Atlantic Base near the Stadium Link station at 6th Ave S & Royal Brougham way. The bus will be full, but supporters are asked to line the route and bring candles. The bus will will stop for a few minutes at the intersection of 15th Ave NE & NE 41st at around 7:30 pm today. For more info on volunteering for this event, contact Ashley Dunn at adunn@kingcounty.gov.

Poetry by Jennifer Huang

Over at the American Academy of Poets, you can read a gorgeous poem by Jennifer Huang, who lives on the Oregon coast. "Gender Euphoria and the Superbloom," is a nice break from all the dreary weather we've endured for the last week in Cascadia:

Then came days of 
                  grass as soft as fleece 
                           bees flying like comets and goats 

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Thanks for reading! --Andrew

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