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Disaster response team deploys to Eagle Pass
Published September 12, 2009
A disaster response team with the Kerrville branch of The Salvation Army was deployed Friday morning to Eagle Pass, where residents were cleaning up after Thursday’s flash flooding.
Capt. Mary Meredith of The Salvation Army said the team of one officer and two volunteers were driving the corps’ new portable canteen into the area, where they would be able to cook food for as many as 300 people at a time.
“They have substantial flooding going on there — in some places, six feet or more (of water),” Meredith said, adding that she expected the flooding to recede significantly by the time the Kerrville team arrived. “We expected to see some flooding, but we didn’t know where.”
Although the threat of flooding will have subsided, Meredith said residents will face significant work as they sort through and clean up flood damage. The local team, which includes Lt. Sarah Gottlich and volunteers Ed and Joleen McWain, will be on hand for as long as three days, providing meals to residents as they begin to return to and repair their homes.
“The floods are gone, but the people still are in need,” Meredith said. “It doesn’t matter the size of disaster; the people are affected and in need.”
This would be the first opportunity for the disaster response team to use the canteen in disaster relief. The vehicle is equipped with three seats, a stove, flat grill, oven, refrigerator, freezer, storage and a large coffee-maker.
Meredith said the local branch frequently is called on to respond to disasters in the surrounding area, especially since the local team is well equipped with both supplies and willing and ready volunteers.
“Last year, we responded to fires, Hurricane Dolly, Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Gustav and local flooding areas,” Meredith said.
Local residents who would like to contribute to flood relief efforts are encouraged to send money and gift cards. However, Meredith advised they refrain from donating clothes or other material objects.
For more information on how to help, call The Salvation Army at 890-5603.
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