PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware’s Emergency Disaster Response (EDS) team is on standby to respond to the southern U.S. states impacted by Hurricane Michael. With the widespread damage of the storm already being felt and what is expected to be an extended relief effort, The Salvation Army’s divisional EDS department is readying a team of staff and volunteers for potential deployment. Robert Myers, Emergency Disaster Services Director, The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE, anticipates sending personnel to serve on incident management teams, operate mobile feeding kitchens (canteens) and provide emotional and spiritual care to storm victims.
“Our highly-trained teams are prepared and committed to the arduous work that lies ahead, providing hope, care and comfort to those impacted by Hurricane Michael,” Myers said. “We are in constant contact with Salvation Army representatives on the ground for updates on needs for manpower and other resources,” he added.
The Salvation Army is already on the frontlines in communities devastated by the storm throughout the Florida panhandle, Georgia and South Carolina providing food, hydration and shelter to thousands of residents. Flooding, wind damage and power outages from the Category 4 storm have impacted millions of residents. The hurricane has been downgraded to a tropical storm, but is expected to produce heavy rain across North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania on Thursday.
How People Can Help
Response efforts to this hurricane and flooding are expected to be costly and last for years. The best way to help after a disaster is to make a financial donation.
- Donate by phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
- Donate by mail: The Salvation Army, PO Box 1959, Atlanta, GA (Please designate ‘2018 Hurricanes – Michael’ on all checks.)
- Donate online: www.HelpSalvationArmy.org
- Donate by text: Text STORM to 51555 to receive a donation link for easy mobile giving
