Salvation Army spins into action after Rome, N.Y., tornado

by Stacey Davis and Robert Mitchell

The movie Twisters opens nationwide this week, but the people of Rome, N.Y., got a look at a confirmed EF2 tornado on Tuesday afternoon that ripped through the historic city, knocking out power, downing trees, closing roads, and damaging several buildings.

The Salvation Army in Rome and nearby Utica, N.Y., immediately sprang into action by preparing meals at the Rome Citadel Corps and shipping them to a temporary shelter set up at the former Griffiss Air Force Base. They also hit the streets with two Salvation Army vans.

“We’re driving around meeting people where they’re living and working and cleaning and providing them with food, snacks, and water,” said Captain Ted Tressler, the corps officer in Rome. “Whatever we can give them, we’re giving them.”

Captain Kelly Ross of the Utica Citadel Corps added, “Some of us are just riding around through the neighborhoods and connecting with folks who are sitting on their porches or walking the streets and feeding them as we find them.”

The twister—which the National Weather Service estimated to have wind speeds as high as 135 mph—touched down in the middle of the city around 3:25 p.m. and inflicted major damage in the downtown business district. A Catholic church lost its spire and part of the roof, as did First Presbyterian Church. A building collapsed that had featured an iconic Revolutionary War mural, and a B-52 bomber on display at Griffiss was knocked off its perch.

Bob Myers, the USA Eastern Territory’s director of emergency disaster services, said nearly 100,000 people lost power and were forced to wait for help and answers in oppressive heat and humidity.

“It’s far worse than most people realize,” Tressler said. “Many buildings on the south side of the city are just destroyed. Roofs are off houses and trees are strewn all over. The area hit is also the poorest part of the city.”

Broken but unbowed

The Rome Citadel Corps building—located only about a block away from the tornado’s path— suffered minor damage.

“It blew out some of the windows in our stained-glass cross in the front of the building,” Tressler said. “We got some water inside, but in the big scheme of things, we have nothing to complain about. Nothing that a little bit of work and a vacuum cleaner won’t fix.”

Myers said The Salvation Army’s Empire State Division, which includes Rome and Utica, was sending a canteen to Rome and another one was coming from Pittsfield, Mass.

“At this time, the local corps and division are continuing to assess the overall impacts across the area and continue to ramp up efforts in response as needed,” Myers said. “They are coordinating with local emergency response agencies and other disaster relief partners across the region.”

Meanwhile, the Walmart in Utica supplied water and dry goods (cups, paper towels, plates) and the store’s manager, Corey Whorrall, hand-delivered the items and even helped with distribution. The Rome Walmart was without power but also contributed to the effort. A Lowes Home Improvement store donated a generator.

Tressler said even a local softball group pitched in with a donation of hamburgers and hot dogs.

“Even though we don’t have a kitchen here, we’ll be able to start providing some hot meals,” Tressler said.

The heartbeat of recovery

The gym at the Rome Citadel, stacked with cases of water, fruit, dry goods, and other snacks, was a busy place in the hours after the tornado. The corps was without power on Tuesday, but numerous volunteers from the corps showed up without being called, including Marion Smith, who sat in her wheelchair in front of the corps handing out food and water. Senior soldier Monica Marcano was on site from the moment the storm lifted.

Tressler and his wife, Captain Sharon Tressler, are new to Rome as of July 1 but have wasted no time in stepping in to serve the community. Captain Sharon said, “God put us here at this time for a reason and we will do everything we can.”

The officers and volunteers on site were continually interrupted by frantic community members arriving to the corps in tears asking for help. One person coming for help said, “We have never seen this type of destruction in Rome.”

The biggest ask was for food and sanitary items like diapers. Many residents grabbed a bag and filled it with water and food before returning to their vehicles with a sense of relief and gratitude.

Captain Sharon, discussing the destruction with a community member, said, “People are resilient. They rebuild, rebuild, rebuild.”

The corps is most in need of help packing the resources coming in, she said, adding, “These folks need way more than we can give them, but we are doing everything we can and praying for God to guide us.”

Sheltering the animals

Someone even dropped off four kittens without a home, and the Tresslers posted a photo of the felines on Facebook asking for help fostering.

A lack of cellphone service after the storm contributed to the feeling of disconnection, but Tressler said everyone found a way to join forces despite the communication hardships.

“I’ve seen the community coming together with generosity and community partnerships,” he said.

The Salvation Army officers offered prayer, encouragement, and a shoulder to cry on when they ventured into the community.

Captain Kelly met a woman while handing out water and fruit in parts of the city where downed trees and wires were trapping many people in their homes. The woman was in tears. She was raising eight grandchildren and wouldn’t be able to feed them because she had no power and would lose all the food in her fridge. Captain Kelly gave her hope by letting her know that they could walk to the corps and all the children would be fed.

“The thing we’ve been saying to people is, ‘You’ve made it out safe. Yes, you lost some material things and you’ve been displaced for a period, but you’re safe and the Lord brought you through that and will continue to bring you through.’ We have to rely on Him daily for our strength,” Captain Kelly said.

The roof collapsed on one house while Tressler was talking to the residents.

“Everyone was OK. They all got out. They were emotional, but that’s the kind of damage this storm has done,” he said.

I’m with you always

Tressler said he was able to pray and share words of encouragement with many in his new city.

“The comfort I find personally whenever it feels like the wheels have fallen off my life is the same encouragement and comfort I offer others, and that’s that even in the darkest days, Christ is there,” Tressler said. “We’re not abandoned. We’re not forsaken. God loves us, and God draws nearer to us whenever we’re in pain.

“That expression of love from God is most tangible through the body of Christ. When you have somebody come up and hand you a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name, that means something. When you’re thirsty, somebody giving you a cup of cold water matters. When you’re hungry, when you don’t have a place to sleep, when you don’t know how you’re going to get to the doctor, having someone do something meaningful and practical—that’s Jesus in action.”

Donations to The Salvation Army’s relief efforts in Rome can be made by texting HelpRome to 31333 or by visiting give.salvationarmy.org/HelpRome. The donations stay in Rome and will be used to provide much-needed assistance for the disaster relief effort.