PRESS RELEASE

Salvation Army Prepraring to Respond to
Active Hurricane Season
Preparedness for Claudette and Bill begins as Hurricane
Katrina's Fourth anniversary approaches

August 17, 2009 – Salvation Army personnel throughout the Gulf Coast are mobilizing to respond to Tropical Storm Claudette, expected to spawn tornado's and dump heavy rain across portions of Alabama and Mississippi.  Army units in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi have 27 mobile feeding units, a fully-equipped 54-foot field kitchen, and 48-foot refrigerated trailer ready for immediate response.  Additionally, The Salvation Army is prepared to supplement Gulf Coast states with 70 canteens from inland states. In total, The Salvation Army is prepared to provide a minimum of 560,000 meals a day as necessary.

"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 progression through Alabama and Mississippi," 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 Claudette's path to prepare an Emergency supply kit and to stay informed to all warnings related to the 2009 Hurricane Season. 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.

For the latest up to date information on Salvation Army preparedness and response to the 2009 Hurricane season please follow us at www.twitter.com/salarmyalm. The live twitter feed will contain links to feeding locations and service points throughout Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The Salvation Army has also added a new Global Positioning System (GPS) to all Disaster Response Vehicles for operations and deployment efficiency.

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.