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Southwestern Minnesota Tornadoes (photos)
On the 10-year anniversary of the southwestern Minnesota tornadoes, The Salvation Army takes a look back. The following article was published in The Salvation Army's Central News in June 1998.
A storm cell containing nine tornadoes cut a 64-mile swath across southern Minnesota in late March 1998, destroying homes and businesses with F-3 tornadoes, straightline winds and softball-size hail.
Armed with compassion and skill, Salvation Army officers, employees and volunteers marched into the towns of St. Peter, Comfrey, Le Center, Lonsdale, Sleepy Eye and Windom to extend comfort.
During the first 10 days of service, dozens of Salvation Army staff members and 15,700-plus volunteers provided meals for emergency workers and displaced residents. They served hot food and drink from 11 mobile service units (canteens), seven feeding sites and several shelters throughout a four-county area. In addition, four Salvation Army social services offices provided comprehensive emergency social services, medical care and counseling.
Spiritual counseling was another major component of The Salvation Army’s response; the disaster pushed many residents to their breaking point.
“For so many of these dear people, what they needed most was prayer and a shoulder to cry on,” said Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel David Grindle. “Both were provided by Salvation Army staff, people who were also deeply affected emotionally by the experience.”
Salvation Army crews also responded by going door-to-door and distributing more than 3,000 Bibles.
“Through our disaster services, we want to go beyond clothing, housing and nourishing the bodies of survivors,” added Colonel Grindle. “Our most important charge is to nourish their souls.”
Miraculous survival
Despite the devastation, disaster survivor Paul Saulnier, his wife, Amy, and their two young sons recognized God’s protection.
The family survived the storm by huddling in their basement bathtub as the storm ripped apart their dream home. Miraculously, their bathroom door was pulled from its hinges, fell over the tub and shielded them from the flying debris collapsing around them.
The door, Paul Saulnier said, fell onto the tub “gently, almost as if in slow motion. It was as if God put His hand over us.”
As Salvation Army volunteers helped the Saulniers clean debris from their property, the family started a “SAVE” pile.
“Anything salvageable goes here,” Saulnier instructed the workers.
“It’s for The Salvation Army. They’ll get it to people who need it a lot more than we do. …We didn’t lose anything important.”
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Southern Minnesota Flooding Information
I'm a flood survivor. How can I get help? Call The Salvation Army at 1-800-457-7104.
The Salvation Army has case workers serving the six county disaster area. Along with providing financial assistance, case workers will assist survivors with long term recovery to answer the following questions:
Should I rebuild or relocate?
What are my goals?
How long will this take to accomplish?
What are the resources I have available?
Our caseworkers will help navigate the options including FEMA, Small Business Administration, insurance, other government and private funds/programs and other nonprofit opportunities.
Our offices are located in the following locations:
Winona and Wabasha Counties:
Plaza Mall
66 West 3rd ST in Winona
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F
Phone: 507-457-8858
Houston and Fillmore Counties:
80 E. Jessie Street
507-864-4212 and 507-864-4213
Olmsted County:
Salvation Army Rochester Worship and Service Center
20 First Ave NE in Rochester
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed 11:30 to 1 p.m.)
Call for Appointment: 507-288-3663
Dodge and Steel Counties:
Salvation Army Owatonna
Thrift Store
1810 S Cedar AVE in Owatonna
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Call for appointment 507-455-2023
Other Resources
Minnesotarecovers.org --a local, state and federal resource for people affected by flooding
-FEMA assistance: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit fema.gov/index.shtm
Call centers are being established for residents and business owners to register for FEMA assistance, which can amount up to $28,200.
Winona County: The J.C. Penney building at highways 61 and 14 in Winona.
Houston County: The Hokah Fire Station at highways 44 and 16.
Fillmore County: The TRW West Automotive building at 901 Home Street in Rushford.
-The United Way: 2-1-1
To register to receive help cleaning up, call the United Way by dialing 2-1-1. Note, 2-1-1 cannot be dialed from some cell phones. The alternate number is 1-800-543-7709.
To register to help clean up, call 507-287-2000 or visit www.uwolmsted.org.
DONATE:
-Online (click here to give to the relief efforts)
-By check, earmarked Minnesota Flooding to:
The Salvation Army
2445 Prior Ave North
Roseville, MN 55113
PHOTOS:
-Flood Relief Efforts
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35 W Bridge Collapse Information
The Salvation Army's efforts on the scene of the bridge collapse have ended. However, The Salvation Army remains committed to assisting the families of those affected.
The Salvation Army raised $56,000 for people directly affected by the bridge collapse. Every penny is being used to help survivors pay for expenses such as rent, medical bills, utilities and more. All of the money has been used, but we are now assisting families in making use of the Minnesota Helps Fund.
In the three weeks following the collapse, 63 volunteers and 6 staff served 7,590 meals and put in 1,376 hours of volunteer time.
PRESS RELEASES:
-Salvation Army Update on Bridge Collapse Relief Efforts
-State of MN Asks Salvation Army to Financially Assist Victims of Bridge Collapse
-BRIDGE UPDATE: Fargo Officer Witnessed the Catastrophe
-Salvation Army Responds Following Bridge Collapse
STORIES:
-Salvation Army Employee Escapes Bridge Collapse
-Salvation Army Officer Provides Support Minutes After Bridge Collapse
AUDIO:
-KTIS FM Audio: Salvation Army on the Scene
PHOTOS:
-Salvation Army Responds After Bridge Collapse
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Ways to Make a Donation:
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Credit Card By Phone
Credit card donations can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
Credit Card Online
Click the button below to make a credit card donation online.
By Check
Monetary donations earmarked “Disaster Relief” may be sent to The Salvation Army at 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113 or your local Salvation Army. |
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