• Mark Jones

The Salvation Army Opens Doors Of Pascagoula Shelter For Flash Flood Victims

Jackson, MS (September 3, 2011) – Continual rainfall and flash flooding has caused the evacuation of one Jackson County neighborhood. Forty residents have been evacuated by boat to The Salvation Army’s shelter in Pascagoula.

Throughout the day on Saturday Tropical Storm Lee has dropped significant rainfall across the Mississippi Gulf Coast causing rising creeks and streams and in some cases flash flooding.

In Jackson County, Mississippi Emergency personnel rescued forty residents of a neighborhood affected by the rising waters. With no storm related emergency shelters open, residents have been taken to The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope for shelter through the night.

Officials are working to have storm related evacuation shelters open and operational early Sunday morning.

The storm system is forecast to drop as many as Twenty (20) inches of rain on parts of south Louisiana and Mississippi with the potential for widespread flooding across the region. Additionally, areas in the storm’s path are expected to experience extended periods of strong winds with the potential for tornadic activity.

“The Salvation Army is responding immediately to the needs of residents affected by the flash flooding in Jackson County,” said Major Tarryl (Terry) Ray of The Salvation Army. “The Salvation Army is dedicated to serving the families affected by Tropical Storm Lee. We are residents of the Coast and stand ready to assist our neighbors.”

The Salvation Army encourages all residents of areas in the storm’s path to stay informed of all warnings. With significant rainfall still in the forecast residents are reminded to stay away from moving waters.

The Salvation Army asks people who want support its Emergency Disaster Services to visit www.salvationarmyusa.orgor call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks may be mailed to the following address: Disaster Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301. 

Monetary donations are needed to meet survivors’ most immediate needs. A $100 donation will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household cleanup kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies. The Salvation Army is currently not accepting donations of clothing and furniture for storm victims, please forward these donations to The Salvation Army Family Store nearest you.

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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.salvationarmyusa.org.