• Salvos assist cyclone evacuees
The Salvation Army has sent a team of emergency services personnel to Darwin to assist evacuees as Cyclone Ilsa approaches the Pilbara Coast in northern Western Australia.
Many people from communities both inland and along the Pilbara Coast have been evacuating the area over the past few days or preparing to face the impact of the expected 275km/hr winds expected to hit tonight. The cyclone has been rated a Category 3 but could intensify as it reaches landfall.
Evacuees are currently residing in the Howard Springs Evacuation Centre, approximately 27km from Darwin. Salvation Army workers flew to Darwin on Sunday to begin preparations for the week. They are now providing meals, along with spiritual and emotional care.
Hundreds of people remain stranded due to flooding in the area, and the Salvos’ emergency services team will be assisting daily as the potential for more evacuees arriving increases.
Major Zane Haupt, State Coordinator for the Western Australia Emergency Services, is heading The Salvation Army’s response.
