Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Talk with Official from Salvation Army Disaster Services
Aired November 12, 2002 - 06:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we are talking about the storms. And as you know, most of the deaths from the storms occurred in Tennessee, where 17 people were killed. Damages heaviest in the rural eastern Tennessee town of Mossy Grove.
And joining us there is Simon Henley. He's with the Salvation Army disaster services.
Hey, Simon, thanks for getting up early with us.
I know it's been a long 24 hours for you guys.
Tell me what the situation there is in Mossy Grove. A lot of people in need?
SIMON HENLEY, SALVATION ARMY: Yes, that's right. We've been serving meals around the clock, usually about 75 to 80 meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Salvation Army has also been handing out clean up kits which contain a mop, a bucket, things like cleaning agents, sponges. And then we're also going to be handing out emergency necessity vouchers this morning for victims to head to some of the local stores to buy some of the necessities.
CALLAWAY: Simon, I know you provide more than just that. It's a dangerous prospect when people go back to these devastated neighborhoods, trying to pick up what they can or what's left of their home, which is not always a safe adventure. What else are you providing for people there, Simon?
HENLEY: Well, really, you know, the Salvation Army comes in right at the beginning of these disasters and more than anything, we're providing hope to a lot of the victims and the residents of this small community and surrounding communities. A small community like this with so many casualties, really, they want to pull together. They need hope and they need prayers and the Salvation Army comes in with chaplains, qualified grief counselors. And we're really on hand 24 hours a day, providing a shoulder, a voice to listen to and just a concerned counselor just to be there for these residents.
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Simon, Chad Myers here from the desk. I'm sure you've seen many of these situations. How does this one compare? Did you walk through the neighborhood? What did you see?
HENLEY: Well, just as you walk around and you look behind us, I've seen some big tornadoes in places like Oklahoma and really the devastation is never easy to see. This one is particularly unique because of the mass casualties in such a small community.
MYERS: Yes.
HENLEY: Everybody knows people who died in this small community and I think that adds just to the devastation. It's never easy in any tornado and any destruction, but this one is particularly unique for that reason.
CALLAWAY: And, Simon, you providing shoulders for people there certainly is appreciated.
That's Simon Henley with the Salvation Army.
Thank you, Simon.
HENLEY: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 12, 2002 - 06:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we are talking about the storms. And as you know, most of the deaths from the storms occurred in Tennessee, where 17 people were killed. Damages heaviest in the rural eastern Tennessee town of Mossy Grove.
And joining us there is Simon Henley. He's with the Salvation Army disaster services.
Hey, Simon, thanks for getting up early with us.
I know it's been a long 24 hours for you guys.
Tell me what the situation there is in Mossy Grove. A lot of people in need?
SIMON HENLEY, SALVATION ARMY: Yes, that's right. We've been serving meals around the clock, usually about 75 to 80 meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Salvation Army has also been handing out clean up kits which contain a mop, a bucket, things like cleaning agents, sponges. And then we're also going to be handing out emergency necessity vouchers this morning for victims to head to some of the local stores to buy some of the necessities.
CALLAWAY: Simon, I know you provide more than just that. It's a dangerous prospect when people go back to these devastated neighborhoods, trying to pick up what they can or what's left of their home, which is not always a safe adventure. What else are you providing for people there, Simon?
HENLEY: Well, really, you know, the Salvation Army comes in right at the beginning of these disasters and more than anything, we're providing hope to a lot of the victims and the residents of this small community and surrounding communities. A small community like this with so many casualties, really, they want to pull together. They need hope and they need prayers and the Salvation Army comes in with chaplains, qualified grief counselors. And we're really on hand 24 hours a day, providing a shoulder, a voice to listen to and just a concerned counselor just to be there for these residents.
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Simon, Chad Myers here from the desk. I'm sure you've seen many of these situations. How does this one compare? Did you walk through the neighborhood? What did you see?
HENLEY: Well, just as you walk around and you look behind us, I've seen some big tornadoes in places like Oklahoma and really the devastation is never easy to see. This one is particularly unique because of the mass casualties in such a small community.
MYERS: Yes.
HENLEY: Everybody knows people who died in this small community and I think that adds just to the devastation. It's never easy in any tornado and any destruction, but this one is particularly unique for that reason.
CALLAWAY: And, Simon, you providing shoulders for people there certainly is appreciated.
That's Simon Henley with the Salvation Army.
Thank you, Simon.
HENLEY: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
