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KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE DISASTER RESPONSE TO TORNADOES
• Louisville, KY
canteen is being dispatched to Elizabethtown to help serve
food to disaster workers and shelter occupants.
THE CHATTANOOGA AREA COMMAND OF THE SALVATION ARMY RESPONDS TO THE SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS The ReCreate Café, Chattanooga's only day center for the homeless, opened its doors this morning shortly after 6:30 AM when the severe weather hit the TN Valley. The Cafe' will remain open throughout the day providing shelter from the elements. The Salvation Army Emergency Mobile Kitchen Unit has been dispatched this morning to roam Southeast TN to make sure our area does not have excessive flooding. The Unit will be scanning the area for storm damage and providing assistance to the community as needed. The Salvation Army is also in touch with local Emergency Managers and ready to assist. The Salvation Army is also currently on standby and awaiting orders from the Kentucky-Tennessee Division regarding disaster relief and assistance in Western Tennessee. The Salvation Army is trained and prepared to feed, counsel and pray with storm victims.
ARKANSAS-OKLAHOMA DIVISION RESPONDS OKLAHOMA CITY - The Salvation Army emergency disaster personnel in the AOK Division are responding to numerous counties in response to a line of severe storms and tornadoes that crossed the area Tuesday afternoon and evening. As of 10:15 PM, there have been seven confirmed fatalities in four counties. Major damage is being reported in at least 11 counties. Three of the fatalities are the relatives of one of our Katrina Aid Today employees. Please keep the family in your prayers. Numerous corps officers, canteens and canteen crews are being deployed and placed on stand-by for service. Emergency Disaster Services began last night in the towns of Atkins, Clinton, Cotter and Gassville. There are many communities affected and Major John Birks is coordinating services for immediate needs. Additional information will be reported as more information is known. THE SALVATION ARMY RESPONDING TO OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI TORNADO Jackson, Miss. -The Salvation Army in Tupelo has dispatched a mobile feeding unit to Lafayette County, Mississippi near Oxford, to provide assistance and warm meals to those affected by a tornado that damaged homes and businesses, as well as support to First responders in the area. A feeding location has been established at the Lafayette County Central Fire Station near County Roads 291 and 204. "We are prepared to offer hydration, snacks, and warm meals, as well as emotional and spiritual care to victims, families, and first responders affected by this evening's storms for as long as the need exists," said Bill Feist, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army. "We are in communication with the state Emergency operations center in Mississippi, offering our assistance to areas affected by the storms," Feist added.
UPDATE: THE SALVATION ARMY OFFERS QUICK RESPONSE TO SOUTHERN TORNADOS Jackson, Miss. - As a line of fast moving thunderstorms that spawned numerous tornados passed through Mississippi and Alabama, The Salvation Army quickly responded. Mobile feeding units have been deployed to Lafayette County, Mississippi near Oxford, and Lawrence County in Alabama near Moulton, to provide assistance and warm meals to those affected by a tornado that damaged homes and businesses, as well as support to First responders in the area. Near Oxford, Miss. a feeding location has been established at the Lafayette County Central Fire Station near County Roads 291 and 204. Immediately following the tornado, The Salvation Army served over 200 people with food, hydration, and emotional support. The feeding operation will continue throughout the day on Thursday. In Alabama, staff from The Salvation Army in Decatur and Huntsville will be providing meals and snacks, as well as emotional and spiritual support to residents of Lawrence County recovering from a tornado that struck around 3:30 A.M. The Salvation Army has set up a feeding site at the Tractor Supply in Moulton on Highway 157. Services will be available throughout the day to residents and first responders. "We are prepared to offer hydration, snacks, and warm meals, as well as emotional and spiritual care to victims, families, and first responders affected by these storms for as long as the need exists," said Bill Feist, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army. "We are in communication with the state Emergency operations centers in Mississippi and Alabama, offering our assistance to areas affected by the storms," Feist added. SUPER TUESDAY TORNADO OUTBREAK UPDATE Here is an update on what has been reported so far about Army disaster response in the wake of last night's tornados and severe storms. The Weather Channel is reporting 57 confirmed tornadoes overnight and continuing. More than 30 fatalities reported, with the most deaths in Arkansas. Severe weather threat is continuing as storms move out of AL and into GA. These storms should remain together to create a threat as far north as VA. AOK Division • AOK has deployed 5 canteens to three areas in Arkansas, including Adkins, Clinton and Gasville/Cotter. The disaster director, Alton Gardener, is en-route to survey the damage and better assess the overall situation. Additional pockets of damage are still being reported. No damage reported in Oklahoma at this point. ALM Division At this time, the two most severely hit areas are: • Oxford, MS (Lafayette County) - Tupelo Canteen on scene over-night and will be serving this morning. Heavy damage, including impact to residential and industrial areas. • Moulton, AL (Lawrence County) - Decatur Canteen deployed and on-scene; Huntsville Canteen on stand-by. Heavy, scattered damage; assessment still underway as tornado hit at about 3:30 a.m. CST.
• Memphis Area Command deployed canteen and assessed damage last night in DeSoto County (MS) and Shelby County (TN); mostly industrial (warehouse) and commercial (mall). • Significant damage in Jackson, TN. Jackson canteen activated and served last night and breakfast this morning. Two additional canteens deployed and en route to Jackson. • Nashville Area Command canteen responded last night and this morning to Fairfield, TN, to tornado damage and gas explosion. • Glasgow Service Center canteen responding to damage in Monroe; still assessing damage in area. • Hopkinsville Corps assessing damage locally; appears mostly downed trees at this point.
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