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Crystal Claflin wades past tents and through water in Nickelsville, a homeless encampment, where a day earlier a heavy rain and windstorm had partially flooded the camp, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, in Seattle.

Swamped by record rains, Nickelsville needs our help

November 20, 2012 @ 6:21 pm (Updated: 10:27 am - 11/21/12 )

The Seattle homeless encampment known as "Nickelsville" was devastated by flooding after record rainfall this week. A large 30-foot wide, knee-deep puddle flooded at least 30 tents.

Photo Gallery: Flooding at Nickelsville

A donated pump had drained much of the water by mid-morning Tuesday. Residents moved tents on top of pallets and created a make-shift path of more pallets and wood scraps to try to keep dry.

KING 5's Meg Coyle reported on Nickelsville residents' plight on KIRO's Ron and Don Show Tuesday.

"The land they currently occupy is just next door to the Waste Management transfer station. It is land that is bowl shaped, surrounded by a berm. The water has no place to go but right down to the bottom of that bowl," said Coyle.

Nickelsville residents have lost nearly everything. They need new items to replace things they lost - like tents - and supplies to keep them warm as they weather the rest of this storm.

"It reminds me of when I went to Haiti," said Ron. "These are the type of folks you really want to help out - and believe it or not, a pair of dry socks could be the difference."

If you would like to help, recommended donations include:

-Dry clothing

-Tents (Any size)

-Blankets

-Tarps

-Firewood

-Boots

-Batteries

Nickelsville is located at 7116 West Marginal Way SW.

After hearing about the Nickelsville flood, callers to the Ron & Don Show soon began pledging to drop off tents, warm clothes and firewood.

Audrey from West Seattle told the guys, "I drive by Nickelsville every morning on my way to work, so tomorrow morning I am stopping to drop off some batteries and some clean, dry socks."

Rich in Seattle offered his expertise in the kitchen. "We are going to make a ton of breakfast burritos and take them down to Nickelsville on Thursday to hand out."

Even Solomon Metalwala, father of missing baby Sky Metalwala, called to offer to donate a Thanksgiving dinner to the people of Nickelsville.

Don asked that you reserve judgement of the people of Nickelsville. "There are many reasons for homelessness. All I know is they are our brothers, they are our sisters, and some of them are standing on pallets tonight and they lost everything they have. For some of them, that's not a lot."

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Comments (25)


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  • Slacks wrote...
    Squatting in the mud
    November 21, 2012 10:28 am
    I dropped off some warm clothing and blankets at Nicklesville this morning (it's a mess) but then I read some of these negative comments and realized I feel sorrier for the people who have no compassion - hope you find something to warm your heart. Thanks Ron & Don for letting us know about the need at Nicklesville - it reminded me to be thankful for all that I have and more than I need.
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  • imanegro wrote...
    sniffle... I have compassion
    November 21, 2012 11:17 am
    It is usually better placed. Such as Wounded Warriors (donation made last month) Salvation Army (donation made in September) Cub Scouts (I'm currently looking for some packs in my community) and especially for unwed mothers. There is a group in Woodinville that helps them out and I help them. These are people that need help, and are seeking to better themselves. And just for the record, I was one who RECEIVED help at one time, so I've been on both ends.
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  • Saltchucker wrote...
    It always rains when I go camping.
    November 21, 2012 3:58 pm
    Thus I learned long ago to set my tent on a rise. Can't feel too sorry for these Nicklesville tent dwellers. One quick glance and one half thought to our normal weather would have identified the area the puddle would form. No thoughts for thier future at all, tents swimming in a puddle proves it.
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  • Sparky48 wrote...
    Use Mapquest, not Google Maps
    November 21, 2012 6:47 pm
    I spent 30 minutes trying to find the camp this morning with Google Maps/Verizon Navigator. It put me on the wrong side of 509. Mapquest gets you right there.
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  • JMGilday wrote...
    call me a hater
    November 21, 2012 7:16 pm
    but a lot of these Tent City folks are Professionally Homeless (being homeless IS their job - it's how they get food, lodging, healthcare, money, clothes etc)

    So, before you exacerbate the problem, please consider taking your well-intended efforts and redirect them to established charities (churches, Salvation Army, Goodwill) that require something from their clients other than to simply exist.

    Tent City is a scam allowing people with no desire to improve their lot in life to attach themselves to the teat of a well-meaning society and suck for all they are worth.

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  • diverphil wrote...
    Hypocrisy
    November 22, 2012 11:30 am
    The hypocrisy of a couple of people here is amazing. You know who you are! Happy Thanksgiving to all who helped those at Nicklesville. Not all of them will stay homeless. Some just need a little help. We all need some help a one time or another. God Bless those who don't judge!
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