The Salvation Army Positioned to Respond to Hurricane Ida Along the Gulf Coast

Alexandria, Virginia (August 29, 2021) – As Hurricane Ida makes landfall on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, The Salvation Army is prepared to meet immediate needs of food, clothing, tarpaulins and clean-up kits, and emotional and spiritual care. Their network of trained disaster staff and volunteers are on the ground across the Gulf Coast. With more than 7,600 centers of operation across the country, The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to mobilize and serve communities before, during, and after a natural disaster strikes.

Louisiana and its neighbors have sustained numerous direct hits from major hurricanes in recent years and are still in the process of recovering as they find themselves in the path of yet another major natural disaster.  

“From what we’ve seen so far, we expect the damage from Ida to be widespread,” said Emergency Disaster Services Director of The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory, Jeff Jellets. “We are positioned to provide immediate assistance to those in the path of the storm and have access to a substantial network of resources which can be activated as soon as it is needed. Right now, the best way to support response efforts is by making a financial contribution. This allows necessary items to be purchased and ensures disaster survivors and first responders receive assistance quickly."

Disaster Preparedness Overview (August 29, 2021 | As of 1 p.m. ET)

• Staging centers for relief supplies and assets have been established in Beaumont, TX, and Jackson, MS
• Over 140,000 meals are already prepared for distribution as soon as Monday, August 30
• More than 50 mobile feeding units are being prepared for deployment to serve food, drinks, and emotional and spiritual care to survivors and first responders.
  • Each mobile feeding unit can serve 500 to 1,500 meals per day.
• Fixed locations are being prepared to provide feeding and other needed support to those affected.
• Salvation Army disaster personnel are collaborating with federal, state, and local emergency management agencies and other partners to respond to and monitor potential impacts and evolve response efforts as needed.

For more information on The Salvation Army’s continued response, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. To make a financial gift to support Hurricane Ida relief:

• Donate online: www.HelpSalvationArmy.org
• Donate by phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)