HARLINGEN — Flooding rain and damaging wind was the result of Hurricane Hanna, a category 1 storm that left many in the Rio Grande Valley with property damage.
As flooding in the area continues to recede, groups are making their way to the Valley to help those in need.
Volunteers with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) Disaster Relief arrived in the Valley this week to help communities recover from the aftermath of the storm.
“After a storm, we want to be a blessing to the community so we’re here to help,” SBTC Disaster Relief director Scottie Stice said.
According to Stice, SBTC Disaster Relief set up operations at the Baptist Temple Church in McAllen, which is located at 2001 Trenton Rd.
SBTC Disaster Relief has teams with chainsaw capabilities and mud out capabilities to help homeowners.
Additionally, the group currently has two quick response feeding units working in various places around the Valley this week.
On Thursday, one was in Roma and the other was stationed in Weslaco.
“We’re also helping the Salvation Army at their headquarters in McAllen. We help them prepare food,” Stice said. “They’re sending down their units.”
Damaging storms are no stranger to the Valley, especially during this time of the year.
Hurricane Hanna marks the third summer in a row that a storm caused significantly devastating flooding in parts of the Valley.
Stice said SBTC Disaster Relief helped with relief efforts for close to three weeks in Harlingen after it experienced flooding last summer.
“We really don’t have an idea at the moment on how big this is, as far as how many homes were flooded or need chainsaw work,” Stice said. “It looks as if it’s going to be smaller than we expected, but we do not have an accurate picture yet.”
Stice said as a faith-based organization, SBTC Disaster Relief asks for prayers for those volunteering and those that have been affected by the storm.
Those in need of assistance, can report their needs to SBTC Disaster Relief at (855) 728-2374.
