The Salvation Army Responds to Tornado Outbreak in Arkansas
Cynthia Fuller | cindy.fuller@uss.salvationarmy.org
Oklahoma City, OK (March 31, 2023) – The Salvation Army of Arkansas-Oklahoma is responding to a series of severe storms/tornadoes that crossed Arkansas on Friday afternoon/evening, March 31. There have been multiple confirmed touchdowns in Benton, Central Arkansas (Little Rock area), and Wynne, AR. Other areas remain to be confirmed yet there are indications there are other areas affected. At this time, there are over 40 reported as injured with reports still coming in. The threat for severe storms continues through the evening.
The Central Arkansas Area Command (CAAC) responded to a requested by Little Rock Emergency Management to provide meals for emergency responders this evening. The CAAC and Hot Springs, Arkansas canteens will begin service in Benton and the Little Rock area on Saturday as soon as it is safe to deploy. An additional three canteens are confirmed for arrival on Sunday, April 2. Additional recruiting of personnel and equipment continues.
The Salvation Army is working closely with local emergency management as well as Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and VOAD partners to assess the needs of the impacted areas.
An Incident Command Team will be arriving on April 1. The Salvation Army is partnering with Arkansas Baptist for feeding. It is estimated the first meals will be pulled on Monday, April 3.
Please note this incident is still actively occurring and information received on impacts could change response over the next 24 hours. We will provide additional updates as this incident evolves.
Financial donations can be made at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY to support response efforts. For the latest Salvation Army disaster information please go to www.disaster.salvationarmy.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/salvationarmyaok/ and www.twitter.com/salarmyeds and www.twitter.com/salarmyedsaok.
About The Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.