• Ashley Delamar

Recovery Services Continue in the Carolinas as Another Deadly Storm System Passes Through

Charlotte, NC – The Salvation Army is still operating response and recovery services across many parts of eastern North Carolina as a result of deadly tornadoes and wind storms of April 16.   In North Carolina, the system is responsible for 24 confirmed fatalities statewide, 4731 homes damaged; 842 homes destroyed; 242 businesses damaged; 51 businesses destroyed. Meanwhile, another threatening system has moved across the south and parts of the Carolinas, leaving a path of death and destruction throughout parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and other states.  Multiple Salvation Army units across the south are now active in emergency response and have sustained varying degrees of damage to facilities and property.

Salvation Army Operations for Impacted Households:

a. To contact the local Salvation Army for information - www.salvationarmycarolinas.org, click on LOCATIONS

b.  Fayetteville, NC :  The Salvation Army mobile feeding unit canteen remains on standby locally; there were 2 homeless residents remaining in a shelter & The Salvation Army will be sheltering these people at their local facility; the Family Store has received overwhelming amounts of donated clothes and household items for those left homeless from the tornados; additional warehouse space has been acquired for sorting operations with volunteers & staff; a distribution is planned from our Family Store this Friday & Saturday; coordination with County agencies & other organizations remains ongoing. 

c. Jacksonville, NC:  Coordination remains ongoing with Onslow County officials and other organizations; Assistance is being provided with household items & clothing and non-perishable food items. 

d.  Kinston, NC:  Meal service has been requested for Greene County commencing 4/28; coordination remains ongoing with Greene County officials & other organizations; The Salvation Army has continues to partner with the American Red Cross and LDS Church for food assistance.

e.  Raleigh, NC: The Salvation Army mobile feeding unit canteen from Raleigh is providing breakfast this through next week to displaced survivors housed at the NC State Apartments (the American Red Cross is providing lunch & dinner); in addition, The Salvation Army mobile feeding unit canteen from New Bern, NC will be serving lunch & dinner through 5/3 at the FEMA DRC (the American Red Cross is providing the food supply, NC Baptist Men is preparing the meals & The Salvation Army mobile canteen is picking up & serving the meals); the Family Store & warehouse have received an overwhelming amount of donated clothes and household items for those left homeless from the tornadoes; additional warehouse space has been acquired through a partnership with The Green Chair; receiving/sorting/distribution activities remain ongoing; trained caseworkers continue to meet with those affected by the tornadoes at The Salvation Army administrative offices in downtown Raleigh & at the NC State Apartments.

f. Sanford, NC:  The Salvation Army mobile feeding unit canteen from Greenville, NC continues to serve at the FEMA DRC; a crew of replacement Salvation Army personnel from Rocky Mount arrived today and will remain through Saturday dinner; in coordination with the American Red Cross, referrals are being made for needed items from The Salvation Army Family Store. 

g.  Smithfield, NC:  The Salvation Army continues to manage the south Johnston County Distribution Center; this center will transition from its current location at Lee Brothers Farm in Four Oaks to The Salvation Army in Smithfield; collaboration is taking place with local businesses and churches to provide FEMA registration information; shower facilities for displaced families are available at The Salvation Army facility in Smithfield; storm survivors will be assisted with food, clothing & household items at Salvation Army centers in Smithfield and Dunn.

h. Washington, NC:  The Salvation Army mobile feeding unit canteen remains on stand-by; communication & coordination remains ongoing with Bertie County and Askewville Assembly of God Church.  

i. Wilmington, NC:  The Salvation Army mobile feeding unit canteen and personnel are serving snacks/drinks (hydration) at the Bladen County Tornado Relief Headquarters established at Dorman Motors, located on Highway 87 West in Elizabethtown; the center is being coordinated through a collaborative partnership with Bladen County DSS, Bladen Crisis Assistance and the United Way; coordination with Elizabethtown & Bladen County officials remains ongoing.

The Salvation Army is beginning to transition its focus more directly from response services to recovery services by providing financial support to impacted individuals and households.  Assistance may be available with rent, mortgage, temporary housing, utilities and other necessities. There is no longer an immediate need for material goods in response to the tornadoes.

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by the April 16 Tornadoes and Severe Weather to visit http://www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/ or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Monetary and material donations will be used to meet immediate needs of those impacted locally.   The Salvation Army encourages you to continue to support your local Salvation Army Family Store and the much needed local programs your in-kind gifts support.

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 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 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. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmycarolinas.org.