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The Salvation Army serving in 3 locations following tornado outbreak across the South

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new orleans tornado canteen

Disaster units in New Orleans, Livingston Parish, LA and Slocumb, AL

Jackson, MS (February 8, 2017) – Severe weather moving across the southern United States dropped multiple tornadoes Tuesday. The Salvation Army has responded with canteens or mobile feeding units to help serve those in need as well as first responders on scene to help.

In Louisiana, six parishes received damage from multiple tornadoes. Roofs where ripped off buildings, structures destroyed, trees toppled over roadways but thankfully no deaths.

The New Orleans area saw the most destructive of the storms. The Salvation Army’s New Orleans Command responded to Chef Menteur Highway and Wilson Road where disaster workers began food service.

“We served 112 meals and 266 drinks from our location, and we plan to help as long as people are in need and are recovery from these storms,” said Major David Worthy, Commanding Officer, The Salvation Army, New Orleans Command.

The Baton Rouge Salvation Army dispatched a canteen to Watson, Louisiana in Livingston Parish where workers served almost one hundred meals and drinks.

“This is difficult work for the first responders and a difficult time for those whose homes have been affected. We are grateful to be able to serve them,” said Captain Brett Meredith, Corps Officer, Baton Rouge Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army also has officers and trained employees on location to provide emotional and spiritual care to any residents and rescue workers who might need someone to talk to or allow us to pray with them.

“Our hearts go out to those who have been touched by Tuesday’s events, and we pray the work of The Salvation Army may ease the burden these folks are feeling during these times,” said Captain Meredith.

A tornado also touched down in Houston County, Alabama near Slocumb, Alabama Tuesday evening.  Alabama emergency officials report power outages, trees down over the roads, and several buildings damaged. The Salvation Army canteen from the Dothan Corps is serving in that location.

How People Can Help
The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation.

  • Donate By Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate ‘February Gulf Coast Tornadoes’ on all checks
  • Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)

The Salvation Army providing warmth, place to stay as winter weather hits the South

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Warming stations, shelters open and extending hours across Alabama and Mississippi

JACKSON, MS -With Winter Storm Helena pushing freezing temperatures, ice and snow into the Deep South, The Salvation Army is responding with a warm place to stay, a hot meal, and  supplies for those in need across Alabama and Mississippi.

The Tuscaloosa Corps opened a warming station Thursday evening as temperatures dropped. The Tuscaloosa’s Center of Hope has 73 beds available with the ability to take in up to 130 residents should the need arise. The warming station is expected to be open through the weekend.

“The Salvation Army has a safe, warm place to stay for those trying to get out of the cold, said Major William Shafer, Tuscaloosa Corps Officer. “If the weather continues into next week, we will keep our doors open as long as there is a need.”

In locations as far south as Biloxi, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama, The Salvation Army has opened its doors and is providing meals. In those locations, once the temperature drops below 40 degrees warming stations are open and shelters extend their hours to help all who don’t have a place to stay.

“”We will open our cold weather shelter with meals until the temperature is better,” said Major Mark Brown, Coastal Alabama Command Officer.

Even in places like Baton Rouge, where last August’s flooding left The Salvation Army without a shelter, officers and personnel will be moving through city streets offering blankets, soup, and coffee.

“The weather this past year has presented many challenges to our neighbors and even to us at The Salvation Army, and today is another challenge with the cold.  After losing all of our command facilities, The Salvation Army is still here to provide help and hope to those in our community,” said Captain Brett Meredith, Baton Rouge Corps Officer. “We will have two vehicles roaming through the city serving from 3pm through late in the evening.”

The Columbus, Mississippi Corps will also deploy a warmth patrol in their area serving hot chocolate, coffee and handing out blankets.

As the storm moves across Alabama, corps in Huntsville, Montgomery and Anniston, Alabama are ready to welcome those who need to get out of the dangerously cold temperatures.

Local residents in need can expect all our locations to include extended hours for shelter as well as hot meals and beverages available to those who need to escape the cold.

To find a Salvation Army Corps in your area, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or log onto our website at salvationarmyalm.org and click on LOCATIONS.

Despite flooding at Baton Rouge Corps, Salvation Army ready to respond

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The record rainfall over the last two days in Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi causing roads to be closed and mandatory evacuations in several communities has not spared the Baton Rouge Salvation Army facilities.

“We were able to move all our response vehicles off our property and to high ground, but unfortunately we will not be able to use our facilities to assist those escaping the rising waters,” said Captain Brett Meredith, Baton Rouge Salvation Army Corps Officer.

Captain Meredith says in the local area around the Corps was hit with twenty inches of rain and more is expected through the weekend. Water has entered the buildings on campus.

“We are all shell shocked right now, but I know we have lots of prayers being lifted up for us, so we will make it through,” said Captain Meredith.

Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Divisional Emergency/Disaster Services Director Terry Lightheart is monitoring the situation, but for now, the rising waters around Baton Rouge are forcing resources to be put on hold until safe passage into the affected areas can be assured.

“The interstate and highways in some areas have been closed for now, but as soon as the water recedes, we will have our canteens rolling in to help not just our Corps but those in the community who need help,” said Lightheart.

Canteens from Biloxi, Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi, New Orleans, and Alexandria, Louisiana are all on standby and waiting to respond once water levels drop. The Salvation Army does have a disaster liaison working with the Louisiana State Emergency Management Agency monitor the situation.

To help those in these flooded areas across Southeast Louisiana, you can donate by going to http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/gulf_coast_floods.

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About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyalm.org/batonrouge

ALM personnel heading to West Virginia aiding Army’s response to “historic” flood

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West Virginia 2The Salvation Army is actively helping survivors of the “historic” flooding in West Virginia, but with more rain expected and so many residents in need, the Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi (ALM) Division has accepted the request to send our Emergency/Disaster Service Director, Terry Lightheart and Baton Rouge Corps Officer, Captain Brett Meredith to help with The Salvation Army’s response.

“The Salvation Army rallies to those in need,” said Lightheart. “Right now, the greatest need in West Virginia is getting food, shelter, and emotional and spiritual care.  We are working with government agencies, other relief organizations and thousands of volunteers. We have to work together to do all we can to help those affected get back to some normalcy as soon as possible.”

“The flooding has been devastating to the region, and as I prepare to go to the affected area, I pray that The Salvation Army and other organizations can provide comfort, care, and material assistance to those who may have lost everything,” states Captain Meredith.

The flooding began Thursday when nine inches or more of rain fell on parts of West Virginia in six to eight hours. Forty-four counties, primarily in the southeastern part of the state, were under a state of emergency on Thursday night.

In the first 72 hours, The Salvation Army provided more than 6,600 meals, nearly 3,400 snacks, and more 7,500 drinks to flood victims and emergency responders.  These services will continue as long as needed and as requested by West Virginia County Emergency Operation Centers.  As relief efforts continue, The Salvation Army anticipates widespread distribution of cleanup supplies and the initiation of case work after the July 4th holiday.

How people can help:

You can help by providing financial assistance to fund the flood relief work in West Virginia.  Those who wish to support The Salvation Army’s disaster response may do so by sending a check earmarked “June 2016 West Virginia Floods”  to their local Salvation Army office, online at http://tinyurl.com/zu6rn47, or by making a credit card donation at 1-800-SAL-ARMY.  Be sure to designate the donation for the “June 2016 West Virginia Floods.”

Although The Salvation Army is not requesting in-kind goods donations at this time, gifts of gently-used household goods, clothing, etc., are always needed by Salvation Army Family Stores to support their work in the local community. Find out more at SAtruck.org, or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).

 About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyalm.org.

Two Corps respond to devastated RV park in Convent, Louisiana

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convent RV park 3Severe weather moved across the Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Division Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday morning and brought heavy rain, high winds and several tornados with it. The Salvation Army responded to the Sugar Hill RV Park in Convent, Louisiana which saw the worst of the devastation. The Baton Rouge Corps and New Orleans Command both responded with canteens and volunteers to serve first responders and residents whose vehicles were literally turned upside down from the high winds brought by the storms.

“A great team of people headed straight to Convent once we learned of the need last night.  This is difficult work for the first responders, and we are just glad to be able to serve and help them do what they have to do”, said Captain Brett Meredith Baton Rouge Corps officer.

Between the Baton Rouge Corps and the New Orleans Command, over 200 meals were served, 400 drinks and snacks, and twenty pairs of socks and six pairs of gloves were handed out. Plus, officers on site provided spiritual care to those who requested our help.

Local officials have confirmed two deaths and 30 injuries from this location.

“Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones last night, and we pray that our work may ease the burden that everyone feels during times like these”, shared Captain Meredith.

“The Salvation Army is committed to insuring that the emergent needs of our community are met when needed,” Major David Worthy said. “When crisis occurs, we’re there to support victims, first responders and anyone else in need of help.”

In Mobile, Alabama, the Coastal Alabama Command activated their emergency shelter due to severe weather pass through the area. The Salvation Army housed 49 total overnight and served breakfast.

Financial donations are the best way to support those affected by these devastating tornadoes.  Donations can be made online at www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, by calling 800-SAL-ARMY or by sending a check to your local Salvation Army, earmarked, Emergency Disaster Services.

While used clothing and used furniture are seldom required during disaster response, these gifts are vitally important in supporting the day-to-day work of The Salvation Army. Please consider giving these items to the local Family Store by dialing 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825).

For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or follow the social feed on Twitter at @salarmyeds.