The Salvation Army Emergency Tornado Response
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The Good Work in South Georgia Continues
January 26, 2017 – (ALBANY, GA) – Three days after tornadoes ripped through South Georgia, the whirl and buzz of chainsaws continue to mix with the smell of freshly cut pine trees in the hardest hit areas of Albany, GA. Residents in affected areas are still coming to grips with the devastation as they work to restore their homes and neighborhoods. Those who can, are now reaching out to help their neighbors as local and state emergency crews race to remove trees and restore power to the remaining estimated 1,200 families without power.
The Salvation Army continues to probe and serve affected areas with three roaming mobile feeding units (canteens) from Albany, Bainbridge, and Columbus, GA. In addition, a canteen from Elberton, GA continues to be stationed at the Civic Center where the number of people sheltered there is anticipated to rise as temperatures fall to 32 degrees this weekend. To date The Salvation Army has served 2,573 meals, 2,003 snacks and 3,361 drinks. However, it is anticipated the need for relief services will continue for a while.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal visited the area to survey the storm’s severity and cautioned that much of the damage was “long term.”
Albany, GA corps officer, Major Kelley English, continues to work with first responders, the American Red Cross, and other non-profits to coordinate and maximize relief efforts. “We’ve always been there for the people of Albany when they needed us,” said Major Kelley, “and this is a time like they’ve never needed us before.”
Major Kelley and his crew of volunteers were joined Wednesday by Albany native recording artist and American Idol Season 11 winner, Phillip Phillips and his wife Hannah, as they distributed food from the Albany canteen in the most severely impacted neighborhoods. “We are trying to do what we can to help,” Phillips said, “whatever the city needs.”
“It is heart-wrenching because we are seeing people with no home,” said the talented singer,
In neighborhoods where homes were spaced farther apart, Phillips and his wife ventured from the canteen to knock on doors to distribute food and give an encouraging word. “This is my home, these are all my people (and I want to do) all I can,” he said.
Mr. Phillips will be joined by Luke Bryan, another Albany-born music star, for a benefit concert this weekend to help Southwest Georgians impacted by the recent storms that devastated the region.
“You are never promised anything,” Phillips said. “You don’t want to take anything for granted. Until you get out in it, you don’t really know how bad it is.”
How to 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.
- Donate Online: http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/january_tornado_outbreak
- Donate By Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate ‘January Tornado Outbreak' on all checks
- Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
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.
Serving South Georgia: Doing the Most Good Where It is Needed Most
January 24, 2017 – (ALBANY, GA) – Never is the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army felt so strongly by those who serve and are served, then when they converge in the aftermath of personal and community tragedy. As South Georgia is still in search and rescue mode after Sunday’s severe tornadoes, The Salvation Army of Georgia continues their good work of comfort and aid to those climbing out of the carnage left behind.
“Mass devastation” is how Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard described the storm aftermath.
As soon as weather conditions and officials permitted, five Salvation Army canteens from across South Georgia started scouring the most severely affected neighborhoods providing food, hydration, and spiritual comfort. Their journeys often meant carefully traversing around fallen trees and powerlines to reach those in need. One canteen was deployed to serve those being sheltered at the Albany Civic Center.
The clear blue skies and crisp, clean air that followed the storms were a stark contrast to the sights of toppled pine and live oak trees that splintered and sliced through homes, vehicles and the lives of South Georgia residents. Major Kelly English, Corps officer for the Albany, GA Corps, was compelled by compassion for those in his community and undaunted by the devastation before him as he went door to door through affected neighborhoods with four dedicated volunteers seeking those in need.
“These are our friends and neighbors and we are here to help them. That’s what we do,” said Major English.
“You all were the first people to come to us” said one thankful resident, “The next check I write is going to be to The Salvation Army. You people are wonderful!”
As residents became aware of The Salvation Army’s presence in their neighborhoods, some started coming to the canteen for food and water. One family’s home and car were both completely destroyed by fallen trees. “Those things can be replaced,” said a man receiving some snacks and Gatorade, “I’m just so thankful my wife, daughter, and granddaughter and I all made it safely through the storm.”
On the next stop, Major English notices an elderly man in a wheelchair coasting down his driveway to meet the approaching canteen. He greets him at the end of his driveway with some food and drinks and a little extra time for some encouragement and a word of prayer.
To date, The Salvation Army has provided 1,640 meals, 2,066 drinks, and 520 snacks in relief of those affected by the South Georgia tornadoes, but there is still much good work to be done. The Salvation Army will continue to assess and re-deploy resources as needed.
How to 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.
- Donate Online: http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/january_tornado_outbreak
- Donate By Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate ‘January Tornado Outbreak' on all checks
- Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
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 .
Devastating Storms Hit South Georgia
January 23, 2017 (ALBANY, GA) – A weekend of devastating storms tore across the southeastern U.S. taking in its wake the lives of 15 Georgians. In response, The Salvation Army of Georgia deployed five of its mobile feeding units (canteens) to provide aid and support for first responders and those affected by the storms. Additional canteens are on stand-by across the state to further support the Georgia relief efforts, or to deploy to other impacted areas as needed. Canteens from Albany, Bainbridge, Elberton and Columbus, GA are currently serving in the Albany, GA area, and a canteen from Valdosta, GA is serving the Cook County area.
The state of Georgia averages 20 tornadoes a year. During the storms that passed through Georgia from early Saturday to Sunday night, 30 tornadoes were reported.
The storms led Governor Nathan Deal to declare a state of emergency in sixteen South Georgia counties. The Governor plans to visit affected areas on Wednesday. President Donald Trump called Governor Deal to offer condolences and pledge his support.
“To all in South Georgia impacted by this deadly storm, we are keeping each of you in our thoughts and prayers as we take action to move quickly and serve compassionately,” said Major Jack Butler, Emergency Disaster Director for The Salvation Army of Georgia.
The Salvation Army canteens deployed are tasked with providing hot meals, snacks and hydration to first responders and those affected by the storms.
How to 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.
- Donate Online: http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/january_tornado_outbreak
- Donate By Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate ‘January Tornado Outbreak' on all checks
- Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
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.
Canteens Reaching Areas Under Served following Hattiesburg Tornado
Lamar County, MS - Looking around you wonder how anything is left standing. Very few trees are upright, and even fewer homes on a stretch of Sullivan-Kilrain Road in Lamar County, Mississippi just outside of Hattiesburg. Most of what was here is now scattered across several stretches of property. Residents were told this is where Saturday morning’s tornado touched down and began its path of destruction for fifteen more miles.
Melissa Bagett is looking for the hidden treasures of family pictures she might find through the piles of debris left behind. Melissa and her husband Mike were here when the tornado touch down just outside their home.
“I heard it come over the trees,” said Mike Bagett. “When they say get in the bath tub, get in the bath tub. It was over in five seconds but it left this.”
A portion of their roof was ripped off by the storm and vehicles were pushed several feet by the strong winds. Homes up and down this road experienced the same, but all walked away. Now they must rebuild or move like the Bagetts are doing. The Salvation Army was the first service organization to stop by and offer help in the form of meals and a friendly face.
“It means the world,” said Melissa Bagett. “We all are having to do a lot of work out here and don’t have time to eat. It’s appreciated.”
“It helps. It tells me the community understands you need sustenance after something like this,” said Mike Bagett.
Mike is right when he says community. These are local Salvation Army disaster volunteers from the Hattiesburg Corps dropping off several containers of food.
Hattiesburg Corps officers, Captains Patrick and Stacey Connelly have turned their attention to healing those devastated by the storms despite having lost the use of most of their facilities themselves.
“We are still in a state of shock, but we had to make sure we took care of the community that supports us,” said Captain Patrick Connelly.
Right now, the estimate to getting back in these buildings is six to nine months. For now, a portable office is already set up on the campus.
“We knew immediately we needed a game plan to run our social services, our Boys’ and Girls’ Club and to meet needs,” said Captain Stacey Connelly.
How People Can Help
The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation.
- Donate Online: http://give.salvationarmyusa.org/january_tornado_outbreak
- Donate By Mail: The Salvation Army PO BOX 1959 Atlanta, GA 30301. Please designate ‘January Tornado Outbreak' on all checks
- Donate By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
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.