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Federal emergency declaration issued for 5 LA parishes, state EOC begins 24-hour operations

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JACKSON, MS (August 28, 2017) – As forecasts for Tropical Storm Harvey predict the future path the storm may take, The Salvation Army stands ready in Louisiana and neighboring states. The Louisiana Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is now monitoring Harvey 24 hours a day. The Salvation Army Division Liaison Coordinator, Bill Feist, will deploy to the EOC tomorrow to coordinate with state and non-governmental organizations to identify opportunities for The Salvation Army to provide disaster relief to affected communities.

“Our liason works shoulder to shoulder with state, county and local agencies to coordinate mass care needs such as food and hydration.” said Terry Lightheart, The Salvation Army of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Emergency/Disaster Services Director. “Coordination and communication is so important because no single agency can help everyone who is or may be in need.”

The federal emergency declaration is for Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vermilion parishes in southern Louisiana. Although torrential rain has already fallen, state officials are expecting upwards of ten to fifteen inches more in the coming days.

“Much like Texas, the National Weather Service is reporting the main threat for the southwest portion of Louisiana as flooding.” said Lightheart. “We also have been monitoring threats from isolated tornadoes.”

The Salvation Army is prepared to respond when needed. Currently, 29 canteens or mobile feeding trucks are on standby with personnel.

“Whether disaster relief needs are in Louisiana or Texas, we are ready. The mobile feeding units are stocked and personnel are prepared to deploy.” said Lightheart.

How People Can Help

The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation. Monetary contributions also support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish.

Online: helpsalvationarmy.org

Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY

Mail Checks to:

The Salvation Army PO Box 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301

Please designate “Hurricane Harvey” on all checks.

Text to Give: STORM to 51555

The Salvation Army in Louisiana, Mississippi standing by if Harvey moves east, 29 canteens ready to respond

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JACKSON, MS – As Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas as a category four hurricane with 130 miles per hour winds, The Salvation Army in Louisiana and Mississippi must wait to see if Harvey turns back to the east. Officers, staff and volunteers across the three state Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Division (ALM) are prepared to respond should that happen.

“We still are anticipating flooding here in Lake Charles,” said Lieutenant Richard Watts, Lake Charles, Louisiana Corps Officer. “The potential for severe weather will be with us into next week, so we are working with our local partners to make sure our community is prepared.”

A state of emergency has been declared by the Louisiana governor. The National Weather Service models for Southwest Louisiana show locations where up to twenty inches of rain could fall over the next week.

“We are asking the public and our personnel to be diligent,” said Terry Lightheart, Emergency/Disaster Services Director, ALM Division. “Just because Harvey has come ashore in Texas doesn’t mean this is over. We expect this to be at least a week-long event before we can determine Harvey’s impact here.”

The Salvation Army has 29 canteens or mobile feeding trucks stocked with water, snacks and food ready to respond if needed.

How People Can Help

The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation. Monetary contributions also support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish.

Online: helpsalvationarmy.org

Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY

Mail Checks to:

The Salvation Army PO Box 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301

Please designate “Hurricane Harvey” on all checks.

Text to Give: STORM to 51555

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.