SAVANNAH, GA (August 15, 2024) — The Salvation Army quickly mobilized its resources and response teams ahead of Tropical Storm Debby, which struck southern Georgia with up to 12 inches of rain on August 5. Since then, The Salvation Army has been actively providing essential relief services to first responders, area shelters, Emergency Operations Centers, and those impacted by the storm, particularly in the hardest-hit areas of Bryan, Bullock, Chatham, and Effingham Counties.
In response to the severe flooding and rising tides that inundated neighborhoods and businesses, The Salvation Army has established an incident management team (IMT) in Savannah. The IMT has been instrumental in managing onsite operations, coordinating efforts with other agencies, and ensuring effective distribution of aid. To date, The Salvation Army has served 6,984 meals, 6,775 drinks, and 9,518 snacks.
“We continue to assess and evaluate the situation,” said Major Jason Smith, Incident Commander for The Salvation Army of Georgia’s Tropical Storm Debby Incident Management Team. “Our team is working closely with local agencies to continually assess needs and redeploy resources as required to support the most severely affected areas.”
Lanita Lloyd, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army of Georgia, highlighted the organization’s critical role during such crises. “In times of unexpected hardship, The Salvation Army provides not only physical support but also emotional encouragement. Our goal is to be a beacon of hope and help for those in need.”
Major Jason Smith underscored The Salvation Army’s commitment to the community: “We are honored to support our fellow residents in Georgia during this challenging time. Disasters are unpredictable, but The Salvation Army remains steadfast in our mission to provide aid and relief, no matter the circumstances.”
How You Can Help
The best way to support EDS efforts in the Southeast is by making a financial contribution, which allows The Salvation Army to meet immediate and long-term needs. Those who are able to donate can do so through a variety of convenient methods:
- Online: helpsalvationarmy.org
- Phone: Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text “STORM” to +1 325-603-3395
- Venmo: @SalvationArmyUSA and use the keywords Tropical Storm Debby, Tropical Storm, or Debby
