Reaching Out to Vernonia Flood Victims

Aaron Miller has called several places in Oregon his home. Most recently, Vernonia, a small logging community west of Portland, is where Miller and his family live. Before that, he spent over a dozen years in the Scio School District where he taught third grade. While living in the mid Willamette Valley town, the flood of 1996 rushed through town when Thomas Creek overflowed its banks. Without a second thought, Miller and his family joined others to lend a hand to business and home owners who were affected by the raging waters.

In early December, he and his family experienced the flooding in Vernonia, when the town was almost washed away. Again, they did what they could, stepping up to help their community. While the flood of “96 was destructive, the flood of “07 was devastating to the entire community.

“Our schools are ruined,” wrote Miller’s wife, Betsy. Miller’s school had three to five feet of water in the basement that “ruined all the brand new textbooks, district supplies and thousands of donated supplies.”

Even though the Millers were spared the flooding of their home, they shared the tragedy that touched the entire community of just over 2,000 residents. The reports shown across the state and nation do not do the devastation justice. “It’s worse than you’ve read or seen,” Betsy said.

She stressed that the rising water swiftly changed the look of the community, sweeping away much of what residents, especially the children, held dear. Staff members were able to save some supplies at the schools but the flooding happened too fast to save much of anything in the water’s path of destruction.

The heroic efforts of people whose own homes were in danger were not enough to save much. Estimates include the loss of almost everything in the schools for grades five through 12, including computers, textbooks and supplies.“Many band instruments survived but little else in the high school.” Virtually everything in the middle school was destroyed.

While the Millers were lucky not to lose their home, others were not as fortunate. According to information provided by the Vernonia City Hall, over 200 homes were destroyed and more than 400 were damaged.

The Millers, including children Souvanny and Jackson, have done what they could to help their friends and neighbors but so much work remains. “There’s so much to do.” While grateful for the help, the cleanup efforts are overwhelming. “We could use thousands,” Betsy said of the need for more volunteers.

There are several ways people can help the residents of Vernonia. Those wishing to help the Vernonia School District are encouraged to call the district office at 503-429-5891 or visit any US Bank branch and donate to the Vernonia School District Flood Recovery Fund. Marie Knight, the district’s secretary, noted people can specify how their donation is spent within the district. To help the community as a whole, please contact the Vernonia City Hall at 503-791-9675.