The Salvation Army Helps Residents Affected by Panhandle Flooding
April 6, 2009
Associated Press
As
some Florida Panhandle rivers recede others are still flooding. The
Salvation Army is working with its partners to provide some
much-needed relief to the area.
More than 2,500
cases of water and 2,000 cleanup kits were sent to Washington,
Holmes and Gulf counties early Sunday morning. In a Partnership
with Compassion Alliance, another non-profit, the group will
transport the water and cleanup kits to the affected area. The
supplies and water are being transported to The Salvation Army’s
disaster warehouse, 1368 W. 15th Street (US 98), Panama
City and should arrive some time Sunday afternoon.
Emergency
management officials say it will take a week for the Choctawhatchee
River to recede near Bay County. Officials were also expecting the
Appalachicola and Chipola rivers to rise in Gulf County, as well.
In those
communities where waters are beginning to recede, The Salvation Army
is moving its response to help residents begin their cleanup, said
Kevin Smith, The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services
director for Florida.
“As the water moves
downstream, there are many residents who are still susceptible to
flooding,” he said. “There are rural communities in this area where
people are isolated. We will be there to help as possible.”
Last week, Gov.
Charlie Christ issued a state of emergency for 19 Florida counties
including Bay, Gulf, Escambia and Walton.
On Sunday (April
5), flood warnings persisted for the Florida Panhandle, with severe
weather in the forecast.
Corporate donors
interested in making monetary donations can do so by calling
1-866-GIV-ARMY or www.SalvationArmyHouston.org.
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