• Mark Jones

The Salvation Army Serving Tornado Victims in South Louisiana

Lafayette LA – The Salvation Army of Lafayette, La. has deployed a disaster response team and mobile feeding unit to the town of Rayne. Around 12:45 P.M. on Saturday a strong thunderstorm began moving across south Louisiana spurning several tornadoes. Power outages, structural damage, and multiple serious injuries have been reported.

Additionally, a gas line rupture has also been reported in Rayne, La. as a result of the storm, forcing the evacuation of much of the town. A  Mobile feeding unit will be present today at the Rayne Police Department to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual care to residents.  Mobile feeding units and a pastoral care team will work throughout the day on Saturday to ensure that residents of Rayne can focus on recovery, while The Salvation Army meets their physical and emotional needs.

Beginning around 12:00  P.M. on March 5,2011 a strong super cell thunderstorm began dropping severe weather on a line stretching across south Louisiana. The Salvation Army responded immediately to multiple sites damaged by reported tornadoes.

“The Salvation Army will be providing care and compassion to Acadiana residents affected by these storms. We eagerly desire to reach out to the hurting residents of south Louisiana during this Mardi Gras season,” stated Captain August Pillsbury of The Salvation Army in Lafayette. “A celebratory season does not mean that pain and suffering will subside, but we pray our presence will bring the hope of a brighter tomorrow.”

Donations are always needed to offset the costs of services to storm victims. Please visit: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.orgor call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to donate. All donations for disaster services will be used for the designated purpose.  For additional updates please follow us at www.twitter.com/salarmyalm.

#  #  #

About The Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year. The Salvation Army provides food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, and outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing, shelter and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or send a check to your local Salvation Army earmarked for disaster relief.