30 March 2017

Philip Burn | philip_burn@uss.salvationarmy.org

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Dallas, TX (Sunday, April 30)  - On Saturday evening, powerful storms in East Texas produced three significant tornados in Van Zandt County. The Salvation Army deployed one mobile kitchen on Saturday evening and two additional units were dispatched on Sunday morning.

"A number of Search and Rescue operations are continuing this morning throughout the East Texas Region and we have seen reports of 5 fatailities and up to 50 people injured," said Alvin Migues, Emergency Disaster Services Director for the Texas Division. "The Salvation Army units will be supporting the Search and Rescue efforts and we are working closely with the Incident Command and partner agencies to provide appropriate assistance moving forwards."

Within hours of the tornadoes touchdown on Saturday evening, one Dallas Fort Worth Area Command canteen arrived at the staging area at Canton High School. Two additional full size canteens from DFW deployed on Sunday morning and additional Salvation Army units in North Texas are on standby. Trained Service Unit volunteers from the region are moving in to assist the canteen crews.

Donations to support the ongoing Salvation Army response efforts can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or online at give.salvationarmyusa.org/cantontornado