• Becky Russell

Salvation Army Serving in Oxford, MS After Tornado

Jackson, MS – Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) personnel are currently responding to tornadic activity throughout the southeastern United States.

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams are actively responding to the deadly tornadoes which have ravaged much of the southeastern United States over the last two days.  To date, at least 272 lives have been lost while many more have suffered injuries and face catastrophic property damage.  Hundreds of thousands are currently without electricity.

In Oxford, Mississippi, The Salvation Army of Jackson dispatched an EDS team to serve food and water to tornado victims near the Pine Flat community which is located about 10 miles south of Oxford. More than 400 homes suffered serious damage in this week’s storms.  The mobile feeding unit is located at the Pine Flat United Methodist Church where UMCOR volunteers are assisting the Jackson Corps meet the needs of tornado victims.

More than 500 people were fed in the early hours following the storm hit the area and thousands of meals will be served to tornado victims throughout the weekend.

“I have served in many disasters but I don’t think I have ever seen people coming together to help one another as they have in this community. People were showing up with chain saws and tools ready to work early this morning and it has been great to see this kind of response to a tragic situation,” said EDS team member Timothy Israel.

Along with food and water the EDS team has been handing out flashlights to area residents. Utility officials said thousands are without power and it may be several days before power is restored to the area.

The Salvation Army of Jackson will remain in the area throughout the weekend. Incident commander Lisa Coleman is assessing the needs of residents and coordinating a disaster response plan through ALM Divisional Headquarters.

Donations are always needed to offset the costs of services to storm victims. Please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to donate.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.