• Mark Jones

The Salvation Army Preparing for Severe Storms Urges Residents to Do Likewise

Jackson, Miss (April 18, 2013) – With strong storms expected to crawl across northern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama on Thursday and Friday, The Salvation Army has placed 32 feeding units on standby. In addition, The Salvation Army’s Disaster Warehouse in Jackson has resources ready for deployment to support any response once the storms pass. Pastoral Care personnel are also prepared to deploy to areas impacted by disaster.

MEMA and the National Weather Service recommend residents prepare for severe weather with the following steps:

• Check weather radios for working batteries
• Review your family emergency plan
• Check and restock your emergency supply kit in case you are without electricity for an extended period of time
• Prepare with enough water for each family member for four days
• Heed all weather related warnings issued by Emergency Personnel
• Make preparations for the needs of pets

For more tips on preparing for severe weather, please visit www.ready.gov . For more information regarding The Salvation Army’s response to severe weather please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

“The Salvation Army has been blessed with the resources to respond to natural and manmade disasters. We are ready and willing to serve as the need arises,” stated Thad Hicks, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army’s ALM Division.

“We urge residents of our area to heed all warnings and information related to this severe weather system. With large hail and strong winds possible in this system being storm aware is of the utmost importance,” he added.

Donations are always needed to offset the costs of services to storm victims. Please visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to donate. All donations for disaster services will be used for the designated purpose.

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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 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.