Salvation Army prepares to help Hurricane Michael victims
JACKSON, Miss. —
The Salvation Army is shifting its focus from the Carolinas to the Southeast and the victims of Hurricane Michael.
“Everyone in the Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi division has come home so that we can restock, regroup and get everything ready so that we can be on the ground and ready to roll,” said Michelle Hartfield, with the Salvation Army.
Forecasters believe Hurricane Michael could be the most destructive storm to hit the U.S. this season, nearly a month after Hurricane Florence ripped through the Carolinas.
The Salvation Army sent its first divisional team of seven volunteers to Pensacola, Florida, Wednesday morning. Hartfield said there is still a need in the Carolinas, but all volunteers need to be deployed quickly and safely when there is a need close to home.
“We don’t want to have a whole lot of people that could possibly be injured by the storm, and we have to just see what areas are hit worse,” Hartfield said. “If we move everyone to one area and it shifts, then it might take that much longer to get them where they need to go.”
Once the storm passes and damage assessment has been done, volunteers and mobile canteens will be deployed to help rebuild and feed those in need, Hartfield said.
Those wishing to donate can do so online at HelpSalvationArmy.org.