The Salvation Army and Osceola Firefighters Restore Hope Following Hurricane Debby
When the remnants of Hurricane Debby swept through Tioga and Potter County, Pennsylvania, residents and businesses found themselves overwhelmed by floodwaters and damages. As with all disasters, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) responded immediately and will continue to support those impacted far after the flooding took place.
The day after Hurricane Debby struck, The Salvation Army deployed their EDS team and volunteers to Tioga County with cleanup kits ready for distribution. Thanks to support from the Osceola Volunteer Fire Department, the EDS team set up a disaster response headquarters nearby Westfield, one of the towns most impacted by the storms.
“We put in a request with the county for a site to prepare our meal assistance efforts,” said Luke Rodgers, Divisional Emergency Disaster Services Director. “We needed a spot to set up, propane to cook, trash support, and water. The county quickly got back to us with the Osceola Volunteer Fire Department.”
In the wake of any natural disaster, The Salvation Army's Eastern Pennsylvania EDS team is there before, during, and after to help first responders and survivors overcome the hardships that occur as a result of a disaster. Salvation Army first responders work closely with local emergency management officials, fire departments, and police departments to respond effectively to incidents within the community.
‘Just Wanted to Help’
When Robin Moore, a volunteer with the Osceola Volunteer Fire Department, received a call from the Tioga County commissioners asking to use their facility to support meal preparation, she immediately met with Rodgers to set up a plan to engage local volunteers, use their space, and discuss any other needs The Salvation Army may have to serve the community.
Following the meeting, Moore took to their Facebook page to assemble a team of volunteers to help supplement the EDS volunteer force.
“The team we assembled is made up of local volunteers,” she said. “Some are retired, some work for the local schools, others are from our human services department, and many are just residents who wanted to help.”
Each day starts with Rodgers and Erik Johnson, Divisional EDS Assistant Director, meeting with local volunteers to plan the day’s efforts, determine where food needs to be delivered, and secure necessary supplies. Once the meal plans are finalized, the ingredients are handed off to the firehouse kitchen volunteers for cooking and preparation before EDS distributes the meals to the community.
“The fire company and everyone here have been incredibly welcoming and accommodating to all our needs,” said Johnson. “We are deeply appreciative. Their support has made it much easier for us to serve the community.”
‘The Water Comes So Fast’
Moore is no stranger to disastrous floods. She was 12 years old when the flood of 1972 hit Tioga County, damaging nearly every building in the borough, including her family’s home, which is only five minutes from where she lives now. Since then, she has witnessed five or six more.
“The water comes so fast you have no time to react. You can’t prepare, you just can’t.” said Moore. “It's heartbreaking to see, especially a lot of the older folks that are retired. They're in their eighties, and they've lost everything they've worked for their entire lives. But it's been amazing how many people have come from all over to help those impacted try to make some sense of this disaster and to get some balance back to their lives.”
For many in the community, the presence of The Salvation Army has been a source of comfort. Johnson shared how the simple act of delivering a hot meal and water can lift a heavy burden from those who are focused solely on survival.
"Their priority is to get their stuff cleaned up, but they're forgetting to take care of themselves at the same time. Some of them haven't eaten in a couple of days. We show up with a plate of food and water, which goes a long way. It's one less thing they have to worry about. The community has been very accepting of us, especially since most of our volunteers are from the area." said Johnson.
The impact of The Salvation Army’s work extends beyond the immediate community. Local businesses, like grocery stores where food is sourced, have also expressed gratitude.
“When we’re shopping for food and talking to the cashiers, they’re incredibly grateful,” Johnson said. “They may still have family living in an area we are serving, and they’re saying, ‘I didn’t know how to help them, and you guys just coming in has put our minds at ease, knowing that they’re going to be okay.’”
Support the Response
The work of The Salvation Army in the wake of Hurricane Debby is far from over. As the community begins the long process of recovery, the EDS team continues to provide critical support, from distributing meals and cleanup kits to offering a compassionate presence for those still reeling from the disaster. The partnership with the Osceola Volunteer Fire Department remains a cornerstone of these efforts, ensuring that no one in the community is left to face the aftermath alone.
To support The Salvation Army’s ongoing response to Hurricane Debby and other disasters, you can make a difference by donating online at https://salarmy.us/TropicalStormDebby. Your contribution will help provide essential supplies, meals, and other forms of assistance to those in need as they work to rebuild their lives.