Des Plaines, Illinois (November 17, 2013)—Severe weather throughout the Midwestern US began early Sunday afternoon, with tornadoes tearing through several cities.
According to CNN.com, at least one person died in Nashville, Illinois, as a result of the severe storms, said Patti Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Nearly 50 tornadoes had been reported throughout the region as of 4 p.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service said.
As of 3:10 p.m. (CST) Captain Jeff Carr of The Salvation Army in Peoria, Illinois reported that canteens (mobile kitchens) had been deployed to three nearby areas, including Washington, Ill., which was heavily damaged. Carr also reported that The Salvation Army had opened a shelter in Pekin, Ill.
Additionally, Major David Dalberg, Emergency and Disaster Service Director for The Salvation Army’s Metropolitan Chicago Division reported that canteens were responding to damaged areas in Will County, Ill., near Chicago.
At the time of the writing of this bulletin, there are tornadoes reported in Kentucky and Indiana. The weather pattern is expected to continue moving into Michigan and Ohio. The Salvation Army is already on the ground and prepared to help disaster survivors
How to Help
The best way to help The Salvation Army serve those affected by this storm is make a monetary contribution.
Online: Give online at http://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/usc/2013-storms
Text to give:
Text STORM to 80888 and reply YES to confirm your donation*.
Terms and conditions:
*A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Message and Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. By participating you certify that you are 18 yrs or older and/or have parental permission. Donations are collected for the benefit of The Salvation Army by Innogive Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy policy: igfn.org/p. Text STOP to 80888 to stop; Text HELP to specify 80888 for help.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. 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. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
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About The Salvation Army