Both the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross are responding to the needs of those impacted by Hurricane Ian. Donations are sought from the public towards their relief efforts.
*From the Salvation Army of Rome, Georgia –
The Salvation Army of Rome, Georgia is preparing to cooperate with our Salvation Army Florida Division and our Salvation Army Southern Territory to supply resources and personnel to meet the immediate needs of survivors and first responders due to Hurricane Ian’s landfall in Florida and its potential impact on the Georgia coast. Ian comes just days after Hurricane Fiona ravaged Puerto Rico, where The Salvation Army is still serving survivors and first responders. Across the south, The Salvation Army is positioning resources and personnel to respond to widespread needs as efficiently as possible.
- Nationally, The Salvation Army has as many as 37 mobile feeding units and one field kitchen ready to mobilize across the impacted area immediately after the worst effects of the storm are realized.
- Each unit can feed 500-1,500 people per day.
- The Salvation Army has also started to serve some of the predicted 1M evacuees at a few shelters in Florida.
- Two major warehouses in Tampa, Florida, and McDonough, Georgia are being prepped with food, water, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and anything else that will be needed by the thousands of people in the storm’s path.
- The Salvation Army of Rome, Georgia has officers and volunteers ready to be deployed for service when called.
The Salvation Army disaster personnel are also collaborating with federal, state, and local emergency management agencies and other social services organizations in all locations to monitor ongoing impacts and adapt response efforts, if necessary.
- The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to immediately respond to natural disasters with a clear understanding of each community’s need.
- In times of disaster, we serve the whole person – physically, emotionally, and spiritually
- The Salvation Army is there before, during, and after tragic events arise providing assistance to disaster recovery is in addition to current shelter, social services, youth enrichment, and Angel Tree programs and services.
For more information on The Salvation Army’s continued response, visit
disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
The best way to support survivors and assist The Salvation Army is by making a financial contribution, which allows The Salvation Army to meet immediate and long-term needs.
To make a financial gift to support Hurricane relief efforts:
- Donate online: www.HelpSalvationArmy.org.
- Donate by phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
One-hundred percent of designated disaster donations go to direct services for survivors and first responders.
*From the American Red Cross of Northwest Georgia –
Powerful storms like Hurricane Ian create widespread devastation and more needs than any one organization can meet on their own. The Red Cross is working closely with the entire response community — government agencies, other non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses and others — to make sure people get the help they need as quickly as possible.
• Our top priority is providing comfort and support to residents as they face this historic storm and the challenges and uncertainties it brings with it.
• After landfall, Red Cross works with states and counties to open emergency shelters with full mass care services – feeding, disaster health services, disaster mental health services, family reunification, spiritual care, information-as-service, casework, and emergency supplies.
• We help anyone in need after a disaster, and everyone is welcome in our shelters. All disaster assistance is free and we don’t require people to show any kind of identification to enter a shelter — just their name and where they were living before the disaster.
In Georgia:
- 30 leaders at our command center in Macon, coordinating services wherever needed and planning for what’s next.
- Two shelters opened to serve coastal Camden and Glynn counties and expect the population to grow as the storm moves north. More shelters may open as needed.
- 30+ responders ready to move out across the impacted areas once the storm moves out.
- Working with partners and local officials to identify needs, prepare for damage assessment and be ready to help our neighbors in need.
In Florida:
- 33,000+ people spent the night in 260 American Red Cross and partner evacuation shelters to escape Hurricane Ian.
- 730+ trained Red Cross disaster workers on the ground to support sheltering and relief efforts and hundreds more expected. $1,800 covers the cost to deploy a volunteer, average deployment is 12 days.
- Pre-positioned 83 truckloads of additional cots, blankets and comfort kits, along with tens of thousands of relief supplies into the region to be prepared to help as many as 60,000 people. $7,700 covers the cost to deploy a shelter trailer, serving 500 people for 2 weeks
- Dozens of our emergency response vehicles (ERVs) pre-positioned across the state. $25,000 covers the cost of stocking an ERV for 3 days, with needed supplies for 400 people.
- Sent several hundred blood products ahead of the storm to ensure patients continue to have access to a readily available blood supply.
- Working closely with our partners and local officials to ensure help is available when and where people need it most.
To assist with Red Cross hurricane relief efforts, visit redcross.org/donate, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Also, $10 donations may be made by texting REDCROSS to 90999.