• Philip Burn

Ongoing Response Transitions to Long Term Recovery in Texas

Dallas, Texas (May 6, 2016) – Recent weeks have seen near-record flooding throughout East and South East Texas where The Salvation Army has maintained continuous response efforts in multiple communities.

Staff and volunteers from locations throughout the state have delivered meals, snacks, drinks and emotional and spiritual care to survivors experiencing the immediate effects of flooding. Thousands of clean up kits, comfort kits and food boxes have also been distributed. Case management continues to take place and has become the focus for Salvation Army staff as they determine the best long-term assistance for families and individuals affected.

In the Greater Houston area alone seven Salvation Army disaster units have delivered the following assistance since April 18:

• 12,029 Prepared meals
• 23,243 Snacks
• 20,549 Drinks
• 2,023 Clean-up kits
• 529 Food boxes
• 1,374 Comfort kits

In East Texas The Salvation Army disaster team from Texarkana has been working in the Caddo Lake area and the city of Karnack, having recently returned from deployment in Houston. More than 320 food boxes have been distributed to affected residents. Meanwhile, the mobile kitchen and staff from The Salvation Army of Tyler has been working to help displaced residents in the city of Palestine, Texas, where seven inches of rain fell in less than an hour in the early morning of April 30. Six people were tragically killed in the flood and more than 20 homes were significantly damaged.

Palestine is the home town of Minnesota Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson and he has graciously come forward to help The Salvation Army provide practical, long-term relief to flood survivors. “It was rough to see my community affected so significantly with the storm claiming lives and doing significant damage to a lot of the community,” Peterson said. “This community has supported me through thick and thin, and it’s where I’m rooted, so that’s why I am committing myself to donate $100,000 and team up with The Salvation Army to start this fund to help my community get back on its feet."  

The Salvation Army is deploying a laundry unit to Palestine and ongoing services will be handled by local volunteers and Service Unit staff. Donate now at givearmy.us/texasflood, or text 51555 to give.

The Salvation Army has been called upon to respond to an unusually high number of disaster events in Texas over the last 12 months, providing more than:

• 91,000 Prepared meals
• 140,500 Drinks
• 84,00 Snacks
• 5,000 Individuals assisted
• 8,850 Clean up kits
• 12,500 Comfort kits
• 3,200 Food boxes
• 13,500 Cases of water

The emergency relief and support given to both survivors and first responders would not have been possible without the hard work of Officers, staff and volunteers, and the generous donations of Salvation Army supporters.