It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a…Red Cross volunteer!
  

It doesn't take Superman to save lives in a small town. It just takes Clark Kent…or at least a guy with glasses.

Peter Williamson, a long-time volunteer with the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross, put those specs to good use on Tuesday, Dec. 4, after rainfall had ravaged Oregon's coastal communities.

Peter was on a fact-finding mission along the lower Columbia River, assessing the status of several communities cut off from communication due to lack of telephone service. One stop along the way? Westport – a tiny town (population: 600-800) temporarily without drinking water.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the only water-related threat facing Westport residents. Peter also spotted a small creek with a culvert that had been blocked with debris. The backed-up water had already flooded adjacent roads and a railroad line.

Knowing that the creek ran straight through the middle of town and could threaten several homes, Peter immediately made contact with the local volunteer fire department, whose members told him about a debris dam that had formed outside of town. If it collapsed, the waters had the potential to destroy the Westport community.

Thinking quickly, Peter used his ham radio to get in touch with the nearby Columbia County emergency operations center (EOC). The potential dam break was news to them, leaving Peter a town hero…even without the matching cape. 

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Northwest floods, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

Contact Info: If you're interested in interviewing Peter Williamson or any other American Red Cross volunteer, please contact Public Affairs at 503-969-7474.