19 June 2017

Donald Felice | donald.felice@uss.salvationarmy.org

ALBANY, GA (June 19, 2017) – The Salvation Army continues to provide long-term emergency relief services to residents whose lives were forever changed in January 2017 following a series of deadly tornadoes that ravaged parts of South Georgia.

Within minutes of the first tornadoes touching down, The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Response (EDS) teams deployed multiple mobile feeding units throughout affected areas. Over 19,500 meals, snacks, and drinks were provided, as well as emotional and spiritual care, to thousands of survivors throughout impacted areas.

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado outbreak in South Georgia was one of the largest on record. Twenty tornadoes hit Georgia within a three-day period between January 21 and 23, tearing a 70-mile path through five Georgia counties. Over 15,000 families were affected by the storms, with over 500 homes destroyed and another 1,700 reporting damage.

"From day one, The Salvation Army has been helping individuals and families who suffered due to the tornadoes" said Lanita Lloyd, Director of Emergency Disaster Services for The Salvation Army of Georgia. "These events have affected our communities – where we live and serve every day – our neighbors. We are committed to supporting long-term recovery efforts throughout Georgia."

The Albany and Dougherty County areas were hit hardest by the tornadoes. As the disaster operation eventually transitioned from immediate response to long-term recovery, The Albany Salvation Army joined with local churches, businesses, and other organizations to establish a Long-Term Recovery Group to support relief efforts as a team. In those affected areas where a long-term recovery group does not exist, The Salvation Army will continue to assess and help fulfill the needs of impacted families.

It is anticipated that the long-term recovery will last through the summer, or until available funds run out. To date, The Salvation Army has raised over $300,000 for immediate and long-term recovery efforts. According to Major Kelley English, The Salvation Army officer for Albany, GA, the need still outweighs the resources available and any continued support would greatly help affected South Georgia communities in their quest to return to normal.

“Some people have exhausted their FEMA and insurance money to help get them back to normal, or had no money at all,” said Major English. “It’s great to be able to help people in their time of need in a real, tangible, and significant way.”

The Salvation Army’s focus is to help with unmet needs, which are those not obtained through FEMA, insurance, and other similar sources. Qualified households are able to obtain up to $3,000 as reimbursement for expenses like home repair, appliance replacement, medicine, temporary housing, and other disaster-related expenses.

"Long-term recovery is a difficult path. The process of rebuilding homes and lives takes time and patience," said Major English. "The Salvation Army will work with local governments, organizations and community members to make sure every individual and family affected by these tornadoes is helped."

Those seeking assistance for tornado-related expenses are asked to contact The Salvation Army of Albany, GA at 229-435-1428.

How to Help

The best way to help people before, during, and through the long-term recovery efforts of a disaster is to make a financial donation. Financial donations enable disaster responders and aid providers to meet the specific needs of disaster survivors when and where they are needed most.

Financial donations go directly toward long-term relief efforts for those affected by the 2017 South Georgia tornadoes and can be made;

• Online: http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/january_tornado_outbreak
• By Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate ‘January Tornado Outbreak' on all checks
• By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)

About The Salvation Army 
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 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 spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.