BROWNSVILLE —While disaster may have been averted in its own backyard, the Harlingen-based American Red Cross of South Texas stood ready to assist hard-hit communities once it’s safe.
Forecasts were dire, predicting Harvey would make landfall near Corpus Christi late yesterday and then lose momentum, dumping huge quantities of rain in the area for an extended period.
Danella Hughes, executive director of the South Texas chapter, said shelters in Cameron County were on standby but not open, though shelters would be open in Laredo and Hebbronville for coastal residents left homeless.
Local volunteers were ready to mobilize to storm-ravaged areas once the stormed cleared out, as soon as possible, which could be several days in this case, she said.
The Red Cross works with federal, state and local authorities to provide aid when and where it’s needed, with various chapters helping each other out, Hughes said.
“ We all work together to make sure they have enough support,” she said.
The South Texas chapter covers Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties. When outside regions are hit by catastrophe, the local chapter puts out the call for volunteers willing to help in those places or where shelters have been established, Hughes said.
“ We’ve got great volunteers here in South Texas,” she said.
More volunteers are needed, however, and so as are financial donations, Hughes stressed. Volunteer response is normally good when the call goes out, though with so many people on vacation and school about to start it’s harder to round up sufficient numbers, she said.
Red Cross commits to providing aid after a disaster for as long as needed, Hughes said. That means making sure people have the basics: shelter, food and water and whatever else is necessary to restore a semblance of normalcy — especially for those who have lost everything, she said.
“ A lot of the people don’t think about a toothbrush, but a toothbrush can help so much,” Hughes said.
To volunteer or donate to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, go to www.redcross.org or call the Red Cross of South Texas at (956) 423-0523.
