PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Preparing for Gustav
Preparedness for Gustav begins as Hurricane
Katrina’s third anniversary approaches
August 28, 2008 – Salvation Army personnel throughout the Gulf Coast are mobilizing to respond to Tropical Storm Gustav, expected to develop into a serious category three hurricane by early next week. Army units in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas have 100 mobile feeding units and three fully-equipped 54-foot field kitchens ready for immediate response. Additionally, The Salvation Army is prepared to supplement Gulf Coast states with 70 canteens from inland states, as was necessary in response to Hurricane Katrina. In total, The Salvation Army is prepared to provide a minimum of 560,000 meals a day as necessary.
Thousands of trained emergency disaster services (EDS) personnel are on-call this holiday weekend as The Salvation Army coordinates response plans with state and federal emergency operations centers and other social service organizations. EDS personnel are prepared to help evacuate the homeless and provide for those who have no other means of support
“The Salvation Army is prepared to respond immediately to the needs of survivors, emergency aid workers, and volunteers in communities affected by the storm’s landfall,” said Major Gene Hogg, Divisional Secretary for Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. “The Army recognizes how difficult these circumstances can be and will do everything in our power to assist individuals and families following this storm as we do in these communities 365 days a year.”
In addition to feeding, The Salvation Army is prepared to provide:
- Clean-up kits containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies
- Hygiene kits
- Drinking water
- Shower units
- First-aid supplies
- Missing persons support through The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (www.satern.org) and
- Emotional/spiritual care
The Salvation Army encourages all residents of areas in Gustav’s path to prepare an Emergency supply kit, an evacuation plan and stay informed to all warnings and evacuation orders. Disaster response professionals recommend having a three to five day supply of food and water for each individual of your family as well as flashlights, medication, and battery powered radio.
“It is imperative that residents of New Orleans and the central Gulf Coast region heed all warnings and orders associated with Tropical Storm Gustav, regardless of its path,” said Captain Ethan Frizzell, Area Commander for The Salvation Army in New Orleans. “It is important that each of us prepare now for Gustav.”
The Salvation Army is receiving support from many corporate partners, including Wal-Mart, Target and Federal Express. Supplies are being staged in inland locations.
The Salvation Army serves in more than 100 countries and provides both immediate emergency assistance and long-term recovery help in the event of any disaster. Funds for The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services come from corporate and private donations given specifically for disaster relief. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation.
