|
Dear DRCC Family and Friends, What a way to start the year! I am sure you saw on the news last month that on December 27, a King Tide (in addition to several extreme weather conditions) caused the Duwamish River to overtop its banks and flood more than 46 homes and businesses in the North end of South Park with 2-3 feet of water. DRCC was the first organization on scene to support neighbors with immediate needs, as well as coordinate with the City of Seattle towards the best possible solutions in response to flooding. To learn more about our response for recent flooding, please click HERE
“I was so scared I could not even think how to prioritize anything, but I am so thankful I was able to get a meal and caring arms and hands from you all to help me get through this” -South Park resident and flooding victim South Park is a frontline community for climate change impacts. While Seattle can expect about two feet of sea level rise by mid-century and five feet by the end of the century due to climate change, low-lying areas like South Park bear the brunt of these effects through more frequent and intense inundation resulting from both sea level rise and heavy rainfall. The Duwamish Valley, including the residential and industrial areas in South Park, is among the most vulnerable areas in Seattle to these impacts. The impacts of flooding and sea level rise are devastating, and we will continue working with our community partners and government entities to offer relief to impacted residents as well as the demand for a comprehensive plan and actions to protect our community and lead with HEALTH EQUITY, PLACE-KEEPING, AND SAFETY Our goals for this year include engagement with policy-makers and the community to advocate for bold new legislation and actions that will make significant investments in fighting the climate crisis and correcting environmental injustices. Our organization recognizes that these goals cannot be achieved separately, but must be addressed through an intersectional approach. To this end, our strategic planning reflects these changes and hopes. This reflects our growth, progress, potential, and opportunities. Together, we’re really going to change the sector and uplift communities of color — bringing more community voices to the table is a commitment embedded within our expanded programs as well as building the power within our own communities to advocate for a clean and safe environment in our Duwamish River Valley communities. As we look forward to 2023, we will continue to advocate with and for the community and stakeholders towards
In community,
Paulina López Executive Director DRCC
|
