Hampton Roads, VA (August 26, 2011) – The Hampton Roads Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (“EDS”) continues to prepare as Hurricane Irene approaches the region and North Carolina-Virginia border. The Salvation Army has 4 canteens traveling to southside Hampton Roads to assist with relief efforts. Canteens are also positioned in Hampton and Williamsburg to assist with response in those respective communities. Mobile canteens are capable of serving 1,000 meals per day.
In both Virginia and North Carolina, Salvation Army teams are collaborating with emergency management officials to ensure preparedness. In southside Hampton Roads effective Friday evening, the Army will move its men’s shelter from the low-lying area in downtown Norfolk to the Norfolk Corps Community Center near Virginia Beach Boulevard.
“We are preparing our clientele in the safest way possible,” said Major Lewis Reckline of The Salvation Army. “Upon Irene touching down in Hampton Roads, we will then work with local municipalities and other organizations to provide meals, clean-up kits, emotional and spiritual guidance in affected areas.”
Additional Army resources are being corralled west of the I-95 corridor to respond in northern and central Virginia and northern North Carolina. While the Army in southside Hampton Roads and Hampton have taken pre-emptive action by moving clientele to safer locations, other Salvation Army offices in Hampton Roads and throughout the Commonwealth will assist with response.
The Salvation Army is asking residents of Hampton Roads and northern North Carolina to be prepared with an emergency disaster plan. Critical decisions need to be made ahead of time, before the storm makes landfall.
For more information on The Salvation Army’s preparation, suggested supplies, planning and response to Hurricane Irene, please visit http://www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org, http://www.facebook.com/salarmyhr or http://twitter.com/salarmyhr. Text IRENE to 27138 for mobile updates and safety tips from The Salvation Army.