Dallas, Texas – Residents in communities hit by catastrophic flooding in South Texas received practical and emotional support from Salvation Army teams on Friday and Saturday. As assessment continues throughout the region, The Salvation Army continues to establish and supplement disaster response operations anticipating several days of service.
The Salvation Army Incident Management Team and feeding crews arrived in Harlingen on Saturday and have begun assessment in the counties of Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy. Some residents experienced up to four feet of water in their homes after heavy rains hit the region on Thursday. The Southern Baptist Texas Convention (SBTC) has established a fixed kitchen site in Harlingen at the First Baptist Church, and as part of the long-standing partnership with The Salvation Army, will prepare hot meals to be delivered by Salvation Army mobile feeding unit crews to impacted communities.
“We have five mobile feeding units already in service with two additional teams on standby, ready to deploy as early as Monday,” said Alvin Migues, Emergency Services Director for The Salvation Army in Texas. “Our partners, Southern Baptist Texas Convention, is setting up a field kitchen in Harlingen and by Monday will have the capacity to push out several thousand meals each day. Our local teams have jumped right into action with meals being prepared and distributed from the McAllen and Harlingen Salvation Army locations on Saturday. This once again illustrates the effectiveness and flexibility of Salvation Army disaster response efforts. We already have a presence and are working in these communities, so we’re prepared and ready to respond. Our disaster trucks have the branding “Hope is on the Way” but the reality is hope is already there and working.”
On Saturday, The Salvation Army provided 1,122 meals, 1,361 drinks, and 960 snacks in affected areas to residents and first responders just beginning the arduous cleanup process. Meals were served at the Primera Police Department, Harlingen Convention Center, and the Sebastian Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, with more fixed sites expected to be up and running on Monday.
“Our brand-new rapid response vehicle is driving through affected areas, and volunteers will stop and provide meals to individuals and families in need,” said Migues. “This purpose-built disaster response vehicle was only delivered to The Salvation Army in Port Isabel on Friday. The team have wasted no time in getting out to meet people right where they are in this crisis, often in communities where residents can’t get out to find help, and large vehicles have difficulty getting in. Thank you to our volunteers and staff who are already making such an amazing impact.”
Service will continue Sunday and will include meal service at the McAllen Corps and Mercedes Community Center. Additional supplies including clean-up and hygiene kits, water, and other emergency items have arrived for distribution as needed.
For the latest information please go to www.disaster.salvationarmy.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/salvationarmytexas/ and www.twitter.com/salarmytx
