Salvation Army emergency disaster services (EDS) personnel responded after a series of tornadoes ripped through the Midwestern United States (the Midwest) on the weekend of 11-12 March, 2006, killing at least 10 people in Missouri and leaving destruction across Kansas and Illinois. Storms continued to threaten early the following week and The Salvation Army remained prepared to respond as needed.
In Springfield, Illinois, The Salvation Army dispatched a relief team to conduct a needs assessment after storms injured 19 people, forced the closing of most major roads and caused structural damage throughout the city. Four additional Salvation Army EDS units are on stand-by as severe storms continue to plague the area.
Lawrence received the brunt of the storms’ destruction in Kansas – damage was sustained by about 60 per cent of the buildings on the University of Kansas campus. The Salvation Army corps and community centre (centre for worship and service) were also damaged by the storm and were without power for more than 20 hours. Salvation Army personnel provided cold beverages to utility workers working to restore electrical power to the city.
Missouri was hardest hit by the violent storms. At least 10 people were killed as the storms marched through the area, and many homes, including a stretch along a 20-mile path south of St. Louis, were destroyed. The Salvation Army has emergency disaster services vehicles (canteens) stationed in Springfield, Clover and St. Mary, Missouri, one of the hardest-hit towns. In addition, Salvation Army canteens and EDS personnel are serving in Pettis and Randolph counties.
'We are actively working in affected areas and meeting needs by utilizing our canteens and local volunteers,' said Jim Shiels, who is coordinating The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster relief effort in Missouri. 'Our assessment teams are talking to people and figuring out how we can assist in meeting long-term needs.'
Monetary donations in the USA may be sent your local Salvation Army, marked 'Disaster Relief',' or made online.
Salvation Army responds after tornadoes rip through Midwestern United States
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