Both the Salvation Army of Rome and the American Red Cross of Northwest Georgia have lent helping hands to those who were affected by flooding up in Chattooga County over Labor Day weekend. Each organization is accepting donations from the public towards their relief efforts.
According to the Salvation Army of Rome –
The Salvation Army of Georgia is working with local and state agencies and other disaster response partners to address the damage in affected communities following flooding in North Georgia on Labor Day. As a result of the flooding, Governor Brian Kemp has declared a State of Emergency in Chattooga and Floyd Counties.
“Our hearts and prayers are with those impacted by this flooding – especially those who have lost their homes,” says Lanta Lloyd, Emergency Disaster Director for The Salvation Army of Georgia. “The good news for those impacted by this flooding is that The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to immediately respond to natural emergencies, and we will be here for the people of Chattanooga and Floyd Counties as long as is needed.”
Captains Tim and Paula Blevins, Rome Corps Officers, cover the impacted area and are working with Ms. Lloyd to collaborate with both County Emergency Management Directors and GEMA representatives to respond effectively to those areas most impacted by the flooding.
The most significant initial concern for Chattooga County was the damage to its water system. Early in the response, The Salvation Army worked with the Midwest Food Bank to deliver a much-needed tractor-trailer load of bottled water. The Georgia State Patrol picked up the water and transported it to the Summerville, GA area. In addition, clean-up kits, wet wipes, personal hygiene kits, storage bins, and hand sanitizer have been and will continue to be distributed as long as needed.
Due to the lack of water, restaurant closures, and low-income areas that suffered damage,
a Salvation Army Rapid Response Unit (RRU) was dispatched from nearby Dalton, GA, to deliver cooked meals to impacted areas. An RRU is specifically designed to be able to access affected areas potentially unreachable by larger vehicles. The Salvation Army is providing food cooked and prepared into single meals by local Southern Baptist churches. These meals, along with snacks and drinks, are then delivered by the RRU to more inaccessible areas of need. The RRU unit has delivered approximately 300 meals daily to affected areas.
In addition, The Salvation Army has partnered with Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief and will shortly expand its service with additional Salvation Army canteens (mobile kitchen units) to deliver meals. It is estimated that this partnership and the additional Salvation Army units will increase The Salvation Army’s service to 3,000 meals provided per day.
In times of disaster, The Salvation Army is a trusted responder. With the generous support of communities, The Salvation Army can meet immediate needs during disasterresponses. The best way to help relief workers and those impacted by disasters is to make a financial contribution. Financial contributions allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of those affected.
How you can help: · Donate Online: HelpSalvationArmy.org (designate Northwest GA Summer Floods) · Donate by Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
According to the American Red Cross of Northwest Georgia –
- The day the storm hit this community the Red Cross was on-scene providing help to people in need.
- As of now, we have nearly two dozen people, mainly volunteers, who have been assisting residents.
- As we continue to provide the public with immediate emergency supplies, conduct damage assessments, and feeding — soon the focus will shift to long-term recovery.
- Caseworkers are already talking with residents impacted by the storm, connecting them with resources, and exploring other types of assistance they may qualify for.
- The American Red Cross is committed to being in this community and helping our neighbors.
- The initial response was a joint effort by Emergency Management who opened up a shelter at the North Summerville Baptist Church.
- We supported them in that shelter by providing access to caseworkers and assisting with feeding.
- The Red Cross has helped provided: feeding, damage assessment, and connecting local community partners with relief resources.
- In the next several days, when the damage assessment is complete, we transition into our recovery phase. The focus then shifts to helping people develop a plan for long-term recovery.
- We could not have done this work without the help of our volunteers and community partners.
- North Summerville Baptist Church, thank you, for becoming a shelter for people who needed it, and now transforming into the base of operations – you have played such a key role in ensuring help gets to our neighbors.
- Rome Georgia Cares, your assistance has been greatly appreciated.
- Facilitating water distribution…
- And working alongside law enforcement who have been helping us get around and connecting people with resources.
- And finally, the local office of Emergency Management and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency
- We appreciate your continued partnership, and working with us, as we navigate these difficult times.
Donate to the Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts at www.redcross.org.
