The Salvation Army Provides Support after Tornadoes Cause Five Fatalities in Oklahoma, USA

THE Salvation Army in Oklahoma, USA, is responding to communities affected by a number of tornadoes that caused devastation across the state on Monday 10 May. Five fatalities have been confirmed and search-and-rescue efforts continue.

Governor Brad Henry declared a State of Emergency in 56 Oklahoma counties due to tornadoes and severe storms that ripped through the state, leaving many homes destroyed and thousands of people without power.

At the time of writing The Salvation Army's Arkansas-Oklahoma Division has six mobile feeding and hydration units providing assistance. Captain Ernie Hull of Ardmore Corps (Salvation Army church) responded with a beverage service and snacks for emergency responders during the initial search and rescue effort, and Divisional Disaster Services Officer Major John Birks – with his son and daughter – drove up and down Choctaw road, serving coffee and donuts to emergency responders while helping to coordinate the response. Major Birks is now representing The Salvation Army at the State of Oklahoma Emergency Operation Center.

The Central Oklahoma Area Command is sending out tweets on a regular basis on its response efforts. They can be found on Twitter @salvationarmyok and at http://www.salvationarmyokcac.org.