Salvation Army of Greater Houston serving after massive power outages and flooding

Salvation Army of Greater Houston serving after massive power outages and flooding

Houston, TX (May 20, 2024) – Emergency disaster services personnel and volunteers from the Salvation Army of Greater Houston are serving impacted communities after a powerful and deadly storm hit the city Thursday. At its peak, more than a million people were without power and more than 500,000 were still without power as of Saturday morning.

The southeast region of Texas, including the Houston area, has experienced massive rainfall in recent weeks, causing widespread flooding. Thursday’s dangerous storm ravaged the city and flooded already saturated ground, with stormy wind gusts estimated to have reached 90 to 100 mph, leaving behind widespread damage in downtown Houston and at least seven deaths.

“We have partnered with the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management to support the large-scale distribution of supplies and food in two locations,” said Maj. Robert Webb, Salvation Army area commander in Greater Houston. “Our staff and volunteers have worked hard over the past two weeks in Liberty and Montgomery County to provide more than 20,000 meals to residents affected by the flooding. This meal service just ended Wednesday and the latest storm hit Thursday. We are very grateful for the work of our team and the continued support of the community, our business partners and the City of Houston as we work together to meet the needs of our city.

Two drive-thru distribution points (PODS) were established Saturday, one at the Salvation Army warehouse located at 4026 N Interwood Pkwy and another at the Salvation Army Community Center, 12507 Windfern Road. More than 1,250 cars passed through PODS and the Salvation Army distributed 288 cleaning kits (including a bucket, mop, bleach, work gloves, surface cleaner, broom, scrub brush and more), 456 hygiene kits, 1,272 cases of water and 2,488 bags. ice cream provided by HEB, 456 Coca-Cola products, bread and more.

“We could not have served as many people without the help of dedicated volunteers,” said Captain Nick Hutchinson of the Salvation Army Community Center in Houston NW. “Thank you to volunteers from the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, City of Houston, a group from the Church of Latter Day Saints and of course HEB who generously provided water and ice for distribution.”

Additional distribution of relief supplies is planned for Monday, May 20 at 12507 Windfern Road, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Salvation Army will also have three mobile kitchens distributing hot meals on Monday at the following locations:

• Monaville Fire Station 1, 13631 Cochran Road, Waller, Texas
• Roving Rapid Response Unit in Cypress Area (Coles Crossing Subdivision)
• Roving Rapid Response Unit south of Cypress, in the Bear Creek Village area

To donate to support the Salvation Army’s ongoing response efforts to Houston’s severe weather (May 2024), visit helpsalvationarmy.org. For more information about The Salvation Army’s current disaster response efforts, visit www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.