• Philip Burn

Record Floods Prompt Salvation Army Response in South East Texas

Dallas, Texas (March 18, 2016) – The Sabine River in East Texas has reached record levels following sustained heavy rain, breaking records that have stood since the 1880’s. The resulting extensive flooding has left thousands of area residents displaced from their homes and The Salvation Army is on the scene, ready to help.

Emergency services are being provide at the following locations:

Salvation Army Assistance Center & Fixed Feeding Site
Newton Agricultural Building, 509 Main Street, Newton, Texas
Hours of Operation: 9 AM to 4 PM daily, Monday-Saturday
Services: Food and hydration, emergency cleaning supplies, family food boxes, hygiene kits, donated clothing and packing boxes

Fixed Feeding Site
Deweyville High School, 171 TX-12, Deweyville, TX
Services Provided: Food and hydration and emergency cleaning supplies

In Orange, Texas, where Interstate 10 is currently closed and could remain so for up to 10 days, The Salvation Army anticipates opening an Assistance Center at 2286 McArthur Drive on Monday, March 21.

Staff operating the Rapid Response Unit has been continuously roving through several affected counties. This vehicle allows The Salvation Army to deliver food and spiritual and emotional care on the move, in places that would be impossible to reach in a mobile kitchen. Currently three Salvation Army mobile kitchens have been deployed, with the third team from Texarkana arriving in the community of Karnack on Thursday.

“We are watching the weather forecast, that includes the threat of additional rain in the area, and current flood levels very carefully,” said Alvin Migues, Salvation Army EDS Director for Texas. “The Salvation Army has representation at the Orange County Emergency Operations Center and our warehouse in Beaumont is staged with clean-up kits, food boxes and other emergency supplies ready for distribution as needed. We are prepared to respond as necessary and have additional disaster units and teams on stand-by.”

Since the beginning of this disaster response The Salvation Army has served 2,800 meals, 8,000 drinks, and 5,000 snacks in the area and handed out 453 food boxes. Additionally, case managers have met with 306 individuals and families and distributed more than $26,500 in gift cards to help cover immediate expenses. 737 clean up kits have been given to those working so hard to recover their belongings and salvage their homes.

Donations to support the ongoing Salvation Army response efforts can be made by texting STORM to 51555, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or online at give.salvationarmyusa.org/texasfloodsandtornados

If you are interested in learning more about The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) in Texas, or to become a local disaster volunteer, please visit: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

For the most up-to-date emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army in Texas, please visit: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org and follow latest updates on Twitter @SalArmyTXEDS and Facebook at www.facebook.com/SalArmyTXEDS.