• Christopher McGown

Salvation Army Carries Out Kentucky & Tennessee Tornado Response

Photo: Disaster workers from The Salvation Army of Cleveland TN prepare to serve storm survivors and rescue workers in Bradley County.

Louisville, KY (March 2, 2012)—The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services throughout the Mid and Southeast United States are responding to the results of today’s severe weather.  

A series of tornados and straight-line winds in excess of tornado strength has caused power outages, and destroyed residential & commercial property.   Far worse, today’s storms have been blamed for the loss of more than a dozen lives.

Responding immediately to the needs of the communities, Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services teams are already serving first-responders and survivors.   Joe Hughes, the Divisional Disaster Services Coordinator for the Kentucky & Tennessee Division, has been consumed in an effort to reach out to and coordinate efforts with Emergency Management across two states, while also relaying vital information to the trained response teams preparing for deployment.

In Kentucky, were Governor Steve Beshear declared a statewide state of emergency, The Salvation Army’s canteens—mobile feeding kitchens—along with trained staff and volunteers are already responding in communities from Paducah to Ashland.   In other communities, Salvation Army representatives and government Emergency Management professionals are working to assess the extent of damage and how to delegate resources.

In Tennessee, disaster services teams are already serving first responders and survivors in greater Chattanooga, even as other communities in eastern Tennessee are still under tornado warnings.   Disaster services teams and equipment are ready to respond to their neighbors in need as soon as officials clear it.  

Providing support for search-and-rescue comes natural to Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services teams; even more so, ministering to the survivors.   With a plan for the whole person, The Salvation Army’s response stands apart.  “There are a number of hurting families in our communities tonight and we are there to support them every way possible, especially in our prayers.”—Lt. Colonel Mark Israel, the Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army’s Kentucky & Tennessee Division.

For the latest news about Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services or to make a donation in the support of those impacted by this disaster, please visit:   www.disaster.SalvationArmyUSA.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

You may also help by texting “Storm” 80888 to make a $10.00 contribution to the relief effort.   The donation will appear on your next phone bill.

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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 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.  About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000 communities nationwide.  For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.