BEAUMONT, Texas — He spends most of his time in a Salvation Army distribution warehouse, distanced from the water-logged, wind-swept, mildewed hurricane damage.
Occasionally, Major Ron Wehnau ventures into the 96-degree heat to monitor the Salvation Army’s mobile kitchens, or canteens, as volunteers serve hot meals, snacks and beverages across communities within Texas’ Golden Triangle — chiefly, Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange.
“Truthfully, I was terrified at what I might see,” Wehnau said.
But in Hurricane Harvey’s wake, he saw resiliency.
Wehnau, one of the leaders of Port Angeles’ Salvation Army, deployed to Beaumont, Texas, last Friday to serve two weeks as the safety officer of the Beaumont distribution warehouse, which doles out food, water, cleaning kits, diapers, wipes and other supplies across Jefferson and Orange counties.
Since Friday, in those rare moments outside the warehouse, Wehnau has seen Texans respond to the damage.
He saw a man coated in mud take a break from clearing out his flooded home to enjoy a hot meal.
He saw a woman who lost all her possessions devote her time to volunteer with the Salvation Army.
“Folks here are resilient — more so than I’ve seen in other areas — and they may have lost everything, but they’re stopping to help out their neighbors,” Wehnau said.
As of Tuesday, the Salvation Army has distributed 146,398 meals, 226,261 snack items and 172,596 beverages throughout the Golden Triangle since hurricane relief efforts began, he said.
Wehnau said Wednesday’s lunch consisted of beef chips, beans and rice, and dinner included beef tenderloin.
“The meals have been incredible,” he said.
In addition to giving out food and supplies, a team of eight Salvation Army volunteers provides spiritual support.
Most people just want to be heard, Wehnau said. They don’t want to feel alone.
Wehnau recalled a man who said he built his family’s home 50 years ago. The first major storm to pass over his house damaged his driveway. The next storm took his front porch. Then, Hurricane Harvey burst inside and filled the home with 8 feet of water.
“Where am I gonna go next?” the man said.
In those kind of grim outcomes, Wehnau said, volunteers will say: “Things can be replaced. Things are just things. You’re alive. We’re here to help in any way we can. And here are some other resources you can access.”
The Salvation Army has been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), American Red Cross, Homeland Security, local churches and state government agencies with the mission of meeting immediate needs so local groups, including three Salvation Army offices, can carry on when the disaster service responders leave.
Wehnau said the Golden Triangle is headed toward the recovery phase. Salvation Army disaster service responders came to this conclusion based on fewer requests for food, some businesses reopening and rebuilding starting, he said.
However, about 260 people were expected to return from evacuation Wednesday, which could increase the Salvation Army’s requests for meals and other items, he said.
For those who wish to donate to recovery efforts, Wehnau said writing “Hurricane Harvey” in the memo line of a check to the Salvation Army will ensure the money goes to that cause.
He also encouraged Port Angeles community members to address local “disasters.”
“These disasters are come and go, but in our community, there’s the everyday disaster,” he said, noting issues of unemployment and homelessness.
Sometimes, people need a hand up, whether that’s a meal, shower or fresh load of laundry, he said.
“Disasters come in all shapes and sizes.”
________
Reporter Sarah Sharp can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at ssharp@peninsuladailynews.com.
