Recovering from Hurricane Irma in the U.S. Virgin Islands: A Salvation Army Officer’s Experience on the Front Lines

~Captain Ted Tressler, The Salvation Army of Reading

As hurricane Irma formed and grew in the southern Atlantic, discussions began regarding how The Salvation Army would respond, given the potential storm path, the anticipated impact and the potential needs to be met.  It was determined on Labor Day that two teams of two responders would be pre-positioned in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  One team would go to St. Thomas and one would go to St. Croix, locations covered by The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory that were most likely to be affected.

I was selected as a team member because of my extensive experience in serving the victims of natural disasters, my administrative and logistics expertise, as well as my professional training in pastoral, emotional and spiritual care. I was assigned to St. Croix.  Upon arrival we immediately made an assessment of local resources and potential needs.  We prepared by purchasing enough food, supplies and water to meet the needs of 200 individuals for 4 days, at which time additional local resources or outside resources should be available. 

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Pendel Deploys Additional Personnel to Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria Relief (video)

Residents Line Up for Meals at a Corps Community Center in Puerto Rico

As the island of Puerto Rico slowly starts to recover from Hurricane Maria, The Salvation Army remains steadfast in its efforts to provide food, essential supplies, comfort and care to tens of thousands impacted by the storm.  Additional personnel from the Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware (Pendel) Division deployed this week to aid in the relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

Your Generosity Generates Hope in Puerto Rico and USVI (with photos & video)

The Salvation Army in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria

It has been eight days since Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The islands also endured significant damage from Hurricane Irma just two weeks earlier.

With your generous support The Salvation Army has been able to provide essential food, comfort and care to thousands of hurricane survivors.

Reaching the Unreachable

No One is Forgotten

~Captain Tawny Cowen-Zanders, Public Information Officer, Naples Incident Command

When you still have critical needs more than a week after the storm has passed, when you feel like you’re one of the last ones to have your power restored, and when you feel like the last one to be asked “how are you doing,” you grow used to feeling forgotten. So, when you hear the sound of a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) making its way down your narrow street, which is partially hidden by tree branches and lined with deep holes, you are surprised – very surprised.

PIERCING THE DARKNESS

By Captain Tawny Cowen-Zanders, Public Information Officer – Naples Incident Command.

The Salvation Army Working to Shine Light in the Community (Collier County, Florida)

Clervania Lahens wasn’t expecting much for her birthday gift – perhaps some dark chocolate or a lovely bouquet of wildflowers.  She would have even settled for a few moments of peace and quiet, especially since she shares her home with her husband and two sets of twins ages 3 and 15, as well as her other children ages 5, 11, 17, and 20. Never in her wildest dreams would she have believed her birthday gift would be more precious than gold – her life.

“Hurricane Irma came on my birthday.  What a wild, wild day,” shared Clervania. “Celebrating another year takes on a whole new meaning when you think it may be your last.  My birthday gift became the safety of my family, as well as our home.”

The Salvation Army is Making a Difference

~Alexandra Ferber, The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE’s Public Relations Manager, is in Houston, Texas assisting a national communications team with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.  She is on the front lines, telling the stories of Houstonians impacted by Harvey and how The Salvation Army is helping them put their lives back together.

As my time in Houston comes to a close, I am overwhelmed with a range of emotions. The last two weeks have been inspiring, heartbreaking and exhausting.  When I first got to Houston, driving across town it wasn’t obvious at first if the passing neighborhoods had endured any flooding. But as the days went by and people had the opportunity to start cleaning, mounds of trash started emerging along the streets – evidence of how Harvey had ruined their homes and impacted their lives.

Volunteers and Canteens: Partners in Serving with The Salvation Army

Sandy Marshall of Georgetown, Texas with the Williamson County canteen serving in Houston

~Alexandra Ferber, The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE’s Public Relations Manager, is in Houston, Texas assisting a national communications team with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.  She is on the front lines, telling the stories of Houstonians impacted by Harvey and how The Salvation Army is helping them put their lives back together.

The blazing sun in the cloudless Houston sky brought no relief to the residents cleaning out their Hurricane Harvey ravaged homes. But amidst the piles of dry wall, furniture and refrigerators along Seeker Street, a Williamson County (TX) Salvation Army mobile kitchen stood out like a beacon.

“We’ve been pushing out 1,000 meals over the last couple of days,” said Mike Marshall, a Salvation Army volunteer from Georgetown, Texas.

The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE Deploys to Florida for Hurricane Irma Relief (Photos & Video)

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) is sending aid to Florida in the form of disaster relief equipment and a team of local disaster relief responders. Four food and hydration mobile feeding units and a crew of eleven EDS staff and volunteers departed from Philadelphia on Tuesday morning, September 12.  An additional six EDS staff members are deploying today, September 13, to provide command and leadership support to other Salvation Army EDS crews that are currently on site in Florida, as well as crews who are arriving from across the nation.  The local EDS teams and equipment plan to be in Florida for approximately 14 days.  Hurricane season 2017 is The Salvation Army’s largest natural disaster response to date.

Creative, High-Tech Solutions to Meet Hurricane Survivors Needs in Houston

Web-Based Community Needs Assessment displayed on an iPad

~Alexandra Ferber, The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE’s Public Relations Manager, is in Houston, Texas assisting a national communications team with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.  She is on the front lines, telling the stories of Houstonians impacted by Harvey and how The Salvation Army is helping them put their lives back together.

The Salvation Army, a leader in emergency disaster response, is equipped with a high-tech tool that will provide Houstonians recovering from Hurricane Harvey with more efficient and effective access to assistance.

Emotional & Spiritual Care Speaks to the Hearts of Houstonians

Akiko Black and Major Sujung Na in Houston, Texas

~Alexandra Ferber, The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE’s Public Relations Manager, is in Houston, Texas assisting a national communications team with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.  She is on the front lines, telling the stories of Houstonians impacted by Harvey and how The Salvation Army is helping them put their lives back together.

As Houstonians continue with the arduous task of putting their lives back together in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, The Salvation Army’s Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) givers are on the front lines offering prayer, comfort and hope.