Louisville, KY – The Salvation Army Kentucky & Tennessee Division continues to provide assistance to Kentuckians affected by severe flooding that followed heavy rains across the Commonwealth last weekend.
Since June 29, The Salvation Army has distributed critical flood recovery supplies to affected communities, including:
- 735 cleaning supplies
- 194 personal hygiene kits
- 99 cleanup kits
In addition, The Salvation Army has provided 5-gallon buckets and 18-gallon plastic storage totes to assist survivors as they clean, sort, and salvage belongings damaged by floodwaters.
On Wednesday, The Salvation Army deployed Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) assets to Meade County, Kentucky, where personnel delivered flood relief supplies to the Meade County Emergency Management Agency and conducted mobile distribution efforts in neighborhoods affected by flooding.
During those efforts, EDS Director Scott Tibbetts led a small team into the Lickskillet community, going door-to-door to provide cleanup supplies directly to residents whose homes had been damaged.
One of the residents encountered was a 25-year-old man whose manufactured home had been inundated by floodwaters. When The Salvation Army team arrived, he and his father were attempting to recover personal belongings from the home he had shared with his girlfriend.
The resident told responders that floodwaters rose to the level of the home’s windows, while flooding also covered the driveway, cutting off their means of escape.
“Thankfully, the water stopped rising when it did,” said Tibbetts. “He shared that if the flooding had continued, they may have been forced onto the roof to await rescue. Their story is a reminder that disasters impact real people, real families, and real communities. Possessions can be replaced, but lives cannot.”
The flooding also claimed the man’s Chevrolet pickup truck. The Salvation Army provided the family with cleanup supplies and storage totes to help them begin recovering what they could from the damaged home.
“They were incredibly appreciative of the assistance,” Tibbetts said. “Sometimes a cleanup kit, a tote, or a few words of encouragement can provide hope during what may be one of the most difficult days of a person’s life. That’s why we’re there.”
The Salvation Army’s response began earlier this week as floodwaters continued to impact areas across Central and Eastern Kentucky. On Monday, emergency supplies were delivered from The Salvation Army’s Louisville disaster warehouse to Madison County, where cleanup kits, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene kits were provided to local emergency management officials for distribution to affected residents.
Throughout the response, The Salvation Army has worked alongside local and state emergency management agencies, VOAD partners, and community leaders to assess needs and provide assistance where it is needed most.
Because The Salvation Army serves nearly every ZIP code in America, the organization is uniquely positioned to respond quickly when disasters strike and to remain engaged throughout the recovery process.
“The recovery process doesn’t end when the floodwaters go down,” Tibbetts said. “For many families, that’s when the hardest work begins. The Salvation Army remains committed to serving our neighbors and helping communities recover for as long as needed.”
How to Help
Financial contributions are the greatest need following a disaster because they provide the flexibility to meet rapidly changing needs and deliver assistance where it is needed most.
Donate Online:
www.helpsalvationarmy.org
Donate by Phone:
1-800-SAL-ARMY
Volunteer:
Visit www.salarmyeds.org to learn about volunteer opportunities.
One hundred percent of designated disaster relief donations support disaster relief operations and services for survivors.
