• Ashley Delamar

Salvation Army Emergency Services Continue As Flood Waters Remain

CHARLOTTE, NC – Salvation Army response personnel are once again navigating flood waters in eastern North Carolina, as they did 11 years ago in the wake of Hurricane Floyd, to serve shelter evacuees and first responders following Tropical Storm Nicole.

Following the request of North Carolina Emergency Management, more than 100 meals have been served by The Salvation Army to evacuees seeking safety at the PS Jones Middle School shelter in Washington, North Carolina.  The Salvation Army arrived on scene at the shelter during the evening of September 30, 2010, where it has provided dinner and breakfast.  Responding to the request for feeding services was no small task for The Salvation Army team out of Washington, as flood waters led to a 90 minute search for a safely passable route to the shelter.  It is expected that Salvation Army meal service to shelter evacuees will conclude today as flood waters recede and residents return home.  In addition to fixed feeding at occupied shelters, the Salvation Army is prepared to respond locally to remote and roving feeding needs and requests across eastern and coastal North Carolina.

In support of meal services being delivered by the team based in Washington, Salvation Army service centers equipped with mobile kitchen unit canteens in Morehead City, New Bern, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Greenville, Jacksonville, Kinston and Rocky Mount are on alert, monitoring the situation, coordinating with local officials and prepared to deploy as required or requested.  Additional Salvation Army centers with 21 mobile kitchen unit canteens across the North and South Carolina Division are prepared and available for support, each with an initial capacity to serve approximately 1,500 meals over a 3 day period without resupply.

“Thankfully a large portion of the flood waters in the City of Washington have gone down but there are still several roads that are closed and even more throughout Beaufort County.”, said Lt. Chris Lyles, Commanding Officer for The Salvation Army’s center in Washington, North Carolina.  “The Salvation Army will remain in service to displaced residents and first responders until the need has passed.

The Salvation Army encourages all residents in North and South Carolina to prepare a family emergency supply kit and an evacuation plan. A recommended website tool for North Carolina residents is http://www.readync.org/for tips in developing an individual family preparedness plan.  For South Carolina residents, go to http://www.scemd.org/

The Salvation Army asks people who want to help those affected by Tropical Storm Nicole to visit http://www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Monetary donations will be used to meet immediate needs.  The Salvation Army currently is not accepting donations of clothing and furniture for those impacted by the storm; however, please continue supporting your local Salvation Army thrift store and the much needed programs your in-kind gifts support.