At her press conference Thursday morning Governor Christine Gregoire reminded citizens that if they donate to current relief activities in the wake of this week's floods in southwest Washington State, they should donate only to charities they select and not to persons who approach them for donations.

Relief funds have been established at several banks in the state. The Red Cross and other agencies also have means of directing relief donations to the specific task.

The Seattle Press suggests that email solicitations for funds ostensibly for flood relief be ignored in favor of direct donations to one of the bank or Red Cross funds.