• Todd Andrews

Expanding the Response: The Salvation Army Western Division Assisting with Flood Relief in NE, IA

SALVATION ARMY WESTERN DIVISION ACCELERATING ITS RESPONSE TO WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN NEBRASKA, IOWA

 

Salvation Army Western Division officers, staff, and volunteers have been springing into action this week across the Division’s three-state geographical area—working alongside first responders and authorities to provide relief to victims of the widespread flooding in the region.

 

In Norfolk, Nebraska—Local Salvation Army teams are helping to feed hundreds of evacuees at multiple area shelters.  Starting Thursday and continuing through lunchtime today, these teams have worked to assist between 400 and 600 people at the largest of the three shelters, which is located at Lutheran High School, as well as some 200 people each at two additional Norfolk shelters.  Staff have facilitated donations of food and toiletries for distribution to evacuees, and will soon turn to community cleanup efforts now that the local evacuation order has been lifted.

 

In Sloan, Iowa, outside of Sioux City—Salvation Army personnel worked a local shelter overnight Thursday into Friday, assisting people affected by flooding in the area.  Staff there will now turn their attention to other flooding-related issues around the Sioux City metro.

 

In Fort Dodge, Iowa—Local personnel are working to transport some 400 flood-cleanup kits stored there to Western Divisional Headquarters in Omaha.  The kits will be used to support flood-relief operations in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.

 

In Omaha—Western Division Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) personnel were dispatched from Divisional Headquarters early Friday to assist Salvation Army personnel and volunteers in upstate areas and to transport needed supplies.  Plus, EDS leaders are closely monitoring flood-related evacuations on the edge of the Omaha metro area, as well as Gene Eppley Camp near Plattsmouth.

 

Additionally, as the weekend approaches, The Salvation Army Western Division will be watching for additional flooding-related problems around the three-state area—maintaining vigilance in case the flood-relief response needs to change in size or scope, and ready to provide additional support.

 

People wishing to donate to relief efforts can do so online by going to www.salarmyomaha.org.