• Cynthia Fuller

The Salvation Army of Arkansas-Oklahoma Responds to Hurricane Sally

Oklahoma City, OK (September 16, 2020) Even as Hurricane Sally took aim at Alabama and Florida this week, The Salvation Army of Arkansas-Oklahoma was preparing to help those impacted by the storm. 

According to Major John Birks, Assistant Divisional Secretary for The Salvation Army of Arkansas-Oklahoma, The Salvation Army is responding with five mobile feeding units and crews to provide meals, snacks, hydration, and emotional and spiritual care to those affected by the storm and first responders. Each of the mobile kitchens (canteens) can serve up to 1,500 meals per day.  Canteens from Bartlesville, Lawton, and Tulsa, Oklahoma as well as Fayetteville and Fort Smith, Arkansas are being deployed as well as crews from Chickasha and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

In addition to the equipment and personnel being deployed for Hurricane Sally, the division continues to support relief efforts in response to the hurricane which hit just three weeks ago.  To date, three rapid response units (catering trucks) and 15 personnel have been deployed to help those affected by Hurricane Laura.

Hurricane Sally made landfall early Wednesday morning in Gulf Shores, Alabama as a Category 2 with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.  Torrential rain with significant flooding is expected, particularly in western Florida.

Captain Joshua Robinett, Area Commander for Northwest Arkansas, where a team from Fayetteville is deploying, states, “2020 has been a difficult year for all of us. With the devastation caused by these hurricanes, residents along the Gulf Coast have it even harder. To have the ability to lighten their load and provide some hope is a great privilege.”

The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation to the charity of your choice. Monetary contributions also support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish.

• Mail:   Mail checks to The Salvation Army, P.O. BOX 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Please designate ‘Hurricane Season 2020 Disaster Relief’ OR the specific name of disaster (i.e., Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Sally, etc.) on all checks.

• Online: helpsalvationarmy.org

• Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY

Our prayers are with the impacted communities all along the Gulf Coast. 

For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, follow the social feed on Twitter at @salarmyeds or visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.