• Karen Yoho

National Capital & Virginia Division Readies Response to Hurricane Florence

The Salvation Army National Capital and Virginia Division is closely monitoring weather conditions as Hurricane Florence continues its path in the Atlantic Ocean. Most recent reports indicate that the Hurricane may make landfall to near Category 5 strength Thursday night along the North Carolina coast. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued yesterday for coastal areas of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

"Together with our emergency response team in the Carolinas and our national disaster teams, we are closely monitoring the storm. We are ready to respond locally in coastal areas and beyond, where heavy rainfall and potential flooding may impact wide areas in Virginia,” said Major Chris Flanagan for The Salvation Army National Capital and Virginia Division. “We pray that the impact will be light, but we are ready to provide relief to those affected by the storm and support our emergency management partners.”

The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to support those affected by Hurricane Florence, with trained disaster staff and volunteers and specialized equipment deploying to several locations. As in past disasters, The Salvation Army coordinates with community agencies and emergency management officials to provide food, hydration, clean-up kits, hygiene supplies, and emotional and spiritual care to first responders and survivors. The Salvation Army National Capital and Virginia Division has 8-10 mobile feeding units ready for disaster response throughout Virginia. Most of those units are on the road today and tomorrow, establishing staging areas in locations believed to be most impacted in the arrival and aftermath of Hurricane Florence.