MT. VERNON, Wash.–Credit unions in Washington State are working to assess damage to their own operations and to the lives of members and employees following extensive flooding.
The severe flooding has displaced more than 100,000 Washington residents.
According to the GoWest Credit Union Association, nearly 50 of its affiliated credit unions fall within current flood-risk zones, “underscoring how widely these conditions are being felt across impacted communities and among our colleagues,” the association said.
According to GoWest’ analysis, 35 credit unions have some presence or operations in the Severe Flood Risk Area, and 14 GoWest member credit unions in the Flood Risk Area.
In total, there were 250 GoWest member branches and headquarter locations in the potentially affected areas,” the association said.
Doing ‘OK’
“We have reached out, and so far the response has been that they’re doing OK and working diligently to navigate both for their members and impacted staff,” a spokesperson told the CU Daily. “There are a few branches that have been temporarily closed due to flooding.”
The Go West Association said Washington credit unions have a strong history of providing disaster relief resources to their members whether it be payment deferrals, low- to no-interest loans, and working with members whose lives and businesses have been impacted in previous floods, “which are unfortunately not uncommon given Washington’s rivers, elevation, and location.”
The association said the GoWest Foundation Disaster Relief Fund provides immediate assistance for impacted individuals and credit unions. Relief funds are deployed to credit union employees, board members, and volunteers , helping cover unexpected expenses during displacement.
The Foundation also continues to accept donations as needs grow, the GoWest Association said. For additional info, go to the Foundation website.
