Salvation Army Responds in Moore and South Oklahoma City

Moore, OK (May 21, 2013) – The Salvation Army is on the ground in Moore, Oklahoma with multiple canteens and personnel coordinating with Local and State Emergency Management to serve first responders and those affected by the tornado. We continue to provide service to hard hit areas from yesterdays’ storms which include Shawnee – multiple sites, Carney area, and Cleveland County.

Meals and hydration are being provided for first responders and those affected. Major Steve Morris, Arkansas-Oklahoma Divisional Commander has been driving around the affected area. Major Morris states “The devastation is far reaching both in human life, property and livestock loss. The Salvation Army is honored to serve and provide sustenance to first responders involved in search and rescue, coordination efforts and more. And, of course, all survivors will be provided spiritual and emotional care.”

Canteens involved in the response from Oklahoma include Central Oklahoma Area Command (Oklahoma City), Ardmore, Enid, Lawton, McAlester and Muskogee. Also, disaster response teams from Pine Bluff, Jonesboro and Hot Springs, Arkansas are en route to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area to assist in response. Personnel from across the division are also travelling to the area to form a Divisional Incident Command Team (which helps coordinate the overall response for The Salvation Army). Central Oklahoma Area Command has established a local Incident Command team for response.

The Salvation Army is ready to provide the services mentioned above for as long as we are needed. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Please follow us at www.twitter.com/SalArmyAOKEDS, www.twitter.com/CindyFullerOKC, www.twitter.com/SalArmyAOK and www.facebook.com/SalArmyAOK for additional information.

A Personal Account

Salvation Army Pastors from Oklahoma City were at their home in the Moore area when the tornado touched down. ” We actually got in our minivan with our children and outran it!” says Lieut. Sharon Autrey. “We saw it headed for us as we left the driveway.”

Indescribable!

“We have now received word that the house was spared,” continues Autrey, ” but haven’t been able to get to it to be sure. We kept our children home from daycare this morning out of worry, and we still have yet to hear if their daycare teacher has survived. (It’s a home daycare not far from the storm’s path.)

“My husband, Lieut. John Autrey, is serving with several other Emergency Disaster Services caregivers right now. Not sure yet where he is sleeping, or if he will.

“The kids and I are at the home of other pastor’s for the night. We left the house without even shoes on the kids’ feet.”