On the afternoon of September 13th, 2018, overpressured natural gas lines in the Merrimack Valley area in Massachusetts caused explosions across the towns of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. For two and a half hours, over 80 fires caused homes to be destroyed in the area, with the damage costs totaling over $1 billion. The memory of that day continues to shape the work of the Salvation Army Massachusetts Emergency Disaster Services (EDS), as well as the pastors and spiritual leaders who came with them to Merrimack.

The Salvation Army had a hot meal and an ear to listen to the families who didn’t know if they still had a house to go home to. 

At the recovery center, families could get gift certificates and vouchers to help them rebuild, but what they really appreciated was the presence of someone to listen, offer encouragement, and be reassured that they were not alone in this tragedy.

To learn more about The Salvation Army’s response to disasters, visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org