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The Salvation Army has launched a massive emergency response effort to help victims of the worst flood in a century in British Columbia. Emergency units are on the ground in six of the hardest hit communities across the province providing food, hydration, shelter, clothing and blankets to first responders, evacuees and flood victims.

“We have been on the ground since day one in the hardest hit communities,” says Mike Leland, spokesperson for The Salvation Army in B.C. “We have several of our trained emergency response units actively supporting the impacted communities. Our feeding trucks are there, we have been airlifting in meals, and we have set up evacuation centres in communities to receive victims of the floods.”

[Crew members from Royal Canadian Air Force 442 Squadron lead some of over 300 motorists stranded by mudslides towards a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter for their evacuation]

With six emergency response vehicles in the field and evacuation centres open, The Salvation Army is on the front lines in Kelowna, Kamloops, Chilliwack and Abbotsford, while locations in Maple Ridge and Abbotsford have been working around the clock to supply communities with food, hydration and blankets.

[Abbotsford, BC]

This is a tragedy unfolding and we are here for those people and communities day and night and we will be here to end, and see this through into the recovery phase… this is what we do, but we don’t do it alone.

To date, the Army has provided close to 10,000 meals to those being impacted, as well as those first responders who are on the ground. They’ve also mobilized two more Emergency Vehicles on standby in case the weather begins to change once again.

The Salvation Army has also launched an Emergency Flood Relief Appeal. You too can help by donating online or by phoning 1 (800) SAL-ARMY.