News Archive: June 2007

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Texas Flood Disaster Recovery Continues

Sherman, TX-The Salvation Army continued its efforts in Sherman/Grayson County despite the sweltering heat Tuesday and as rain falls again Wednesday morning. Additional areas of damage are still being assessed and uncovered across the county.

Captain David Grigsbay of Sherman reported Tuesday morning, as he and his crew unloaded cleaning kits, that the damage is widespread and in pockets. The need is great as many of the areas suffering the most damage are low income apartment complexes lining creek and river rims.

Many tenants have lost everything to the inescapable and fast rising flood waters.

Several residents commented that they had just paid their rent and utilities and had no money for overnight lodging. Not only are many homes uninhabitable due to mud and flood debris, many people lost their vehicles also. Cars scatter the community, still crumpled together after being swept away and colliding in the severe currents.

The Sherman Salvation Army Canteen has been active, serving meals and handing out cleaning kits and bottled water since Monday. As of Tuesday before lunch, over 300 meals had already been served to victims.

Not far from Sherman in Gainesville TX, additional Salvation Army personnel made their way there to survey the damage and distribute over 400 cleaning kits to the designated areas Tuesday. Major James Taylor reported Wednesday morning that a third Canteen will be deployed shortly to join the two others already on site.

Texas Governor Rick Perry has issued a disaster declaration for four counties as of Wednesday morning. Grayson, Cooke, Lampasas and Tarrant make up this count.

With rain sweeping through North Texas again Wednesday morning, falling heavy on Grayson County, Salvation Army disaster recovery efforts will press on until the need subsides.

Haltom City, TX- The Salvation Army was quick to respond after overnight rain flooded Haltom City.

The damage affected nearly 100 mobile homes, washing many of them right off their cement slabs, leaving several families displaced. The overpowering flooding caused numerous vehicle pile-ups and forced swift-water rescue teams into the water. The flooding in Haltom took the life of a four-year-old little girl who was swept from her mother’s arms into the high waters.
The Salvation Army is on site in Haltom City providing emotional support, serving meals and distributing cleanup kits to disaster workers and local families.

Flooding and strong storms have also taken toll on the community of Gainesville. The Salvation Army is on site providing meals. Cleanup kits are being distributed today. Areas of Gainesville in Cooke County were completely submerged and rescue efforts were activated to locate potential victims. Statistics are not yet available, but early reports state that the damage looks extensive. The flooding in North Texas is responsible for four lives at this point.

Copperas Cove, TX- A Service Extension community has been struck by a tornado. Eighteen homes were affected by the twister, most suffering from blown out windows while many mobile homes were knocked off their foundations. The Salvation Army Service Center has provided meals and clothing to those affected and will be providing temporary emergency lodging for families whose homes have been damaged.

Lubbock, TX- The Salvation Army of Lubbock has readied the canteen and are on standby in preparation for the tornadoes that are forecast to strike the panhandle this week. The Salvation Army of Texas is providing the following services in response:

Haltom City
(1) Canteen
250 Clean up kits en-route
Pastoral Crisis Counseling Team

Gainesville
(2) Canteens
400 Clean up kits en-route
Pastoral Crisis Counseling Team

Sherman
(1) Canteen
200 Clean up kits en-route
Pastoral Crisis Counseling Team_