• Joel Massey

The Salvation Army Prepares For Hurricane Response In The Florida Panhandle

LUTZ, Florida (September 15, 2020) -- As Hurricane Sally sits idling in the Gulf of Mexico waiting to make her arrival on the Gulf Coast, The Salvation Army of Florida is busy preparing to respond in her aftermath and has placed all of its Emergency Disaster Response Teams from Tallahassee to Pensacola on high alert.  

Personnel along with mobile feeding units from Pensacola, Ft. Walton Beach, Panama City, and Tallahassee are stocking up with the needed supplies in order to be ready with food, water, snacks, and other necessary basic hydration supplies in order to serve first responders and those affected by the storm's aftermath. These mobile kitchens on wheels can serve up to 1,500 meals a day.

“Our teams will be ready to move into affected communities as soon as it is safe to do so,” says Steven Hartsook, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army’s Florida Division. “This is a slow-moving storm and it is predicted that the impacts from rain and dangerous storm surge will make this storm a very dangerous and historical event for the Florida Panhandle.”

In addition to the Emergency Response teams located in the Panhandle, Salvation Army teams throughout Florida are now on standby and are being asked to prepare for possible deployment as well.

The best way to support the disaster work of The Salvation Army is by making a financial donation at www.helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For the latest emergency disaster services news from The Salvation Army, please go to www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org 

As natural disasters can increase mental stress, The Salvation Army’s Emotional & Spiritual Care HOPEline remains available. Anyone needing a caring listener – whether because of natural disaster, COVID-19, or the stress of life in general – can call 844-458-HOPE (4673) for support. HOPEline hours are 8 AM to 11 PM CDT, 7 days a week.