The Salvation Army Deploys Disaster Response In Texas Panhandle Following Tornado

By: Philip Burn

The Salvation Army has issued an emergency disaster services response in and around Perryton, Texas, after a powerful tornado struck the panhandle city on Thursday, June 15.

After several days of severe weather in the area, a large and destructive tornado touched down around 5 PM on Thursday afternoon and was estimated to be on the ground for approximately eight miles. Three people are confirmed dead and dozens more injured. More than 30 homes have been destroyed and much of the downtown area, including the city hall, has sustained significant damage.

Salvation Army staff from Dallas, Wichita Falls, and Amarillo are deployed to Perryton. They are working with local service unit volunteers to provide practical support and continue damage assessment in the area, located 115 miles northeast of Amarillo, near the Oklahoma border.

"The mobile kitchen and a team from Wichita Falls will be going to Perryton to provide practical support to first responders and residents," said Alvin Migues, emergency disaster services director for The Salvation Army in Texas. "We are working closely with local emergency managers and city officials as damage and needs assessment continues in the area and plan to begin serving meals from the mobile kitchen once it is safe to do so."

Salvation Army service unit volunteers are also providing essential support for any response effort. With close to 150 active service units all across Texas, these committed volunteers prove to be invaluable in support throughout the year, and particularly during times of disaster response. Local volunteers are well connected in their communities and make it possible for The Salvation Army to deliver services in every zip code in the state of Texas and across the country.

"The tornado caused major destruction in the city, and in some way has impacted everyone in the community," Migues said. "We're also sending trained Salvation Army Emotional and Spiritual Care staff to Perryton. They will be there to listen, support, encourage and pray with storm survivors. This is an important part of The Salvation Army's ministry."

Since meal service began, The Salvation Army has served more than 600 meals and nearly 600 drinks while praying with or counseling more than 500 individuals as of Wednesday, June 21. A trained disaster team from Wichita Falls has been roving through the impacted area in the mobile kitchen delivering meals to individuals, families, and first responders working to clean up homes and businesses in the sweltering Texas heat.

Local Salvation Army volunteers are continuing service in Perryton, supported by key Salvation Army staff. Shelby Huff, The Salvation Army’s service unit regional manager for the Panhandle area, is leading the ongoing operation.

"I work all year round with incredibly committed volunteers who support The Salvation Army's local ministry in rural cities. They are trained and motivated to serve others, especially in times of disaster or crisis like the community of Perryton has experienced," said Huff. "We are doing all we can to help and support our neighbors in need and have established a voucher plan with United Supermarkets to provide food to residents."

A Disaster Assistance Center will be open on Friday and Saturday at the Perryton High School gym located at 1200 S Jefferson Street, and The Salvation Army's Divisional Recovery Manager, Kathleen Kouns, will be onsite to coordinate Salvation Army efforts.

"So many people have been impacted by this disaster in some way. The Salvation Army will continue to provide support through our ongoing community and partner collaboration in the coming days," said Kouns. "An integral part of The Salvation Army's disaster service is emotional and spiritual care. We have an emotional and spiritual care (ESC) team from Granbury, Texas, arriving on Thursday who will be working at the Disaster Assistance Center. They will be available to listen to, encourage, and pray with those impacted by the tornado and dealing with this crisis in their lives."

ABC7 Amarillo have promoted a giving link to support The Salvation Army's relief efforts in Perryton. In just three days, viewers have donated more than $14,400.

To donate, visit helpsalvationarmy.org and select the dropdown option titled Perryton/Ochiltree County Tornado (June 2023). For more information on The Salvation Army's current disaster response efforts, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.