Catholic dioceses and charities are quickly organising to help in the aftermath of a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall with heavy rains and winds of 130 miles per hour into the Rockport, Texas.
The hurricane made landfall late on Friday, August 25. The National Weather Service said in a tweet two days later that the rainfall expected after the hurricane and storm “are beyond anything experienced before”. The hurricane, named Harvey, is said to be the strongest one to hit the US in more than a decade.
Catholic Charities USA, as well as the Society of St Vincent de Paul Disaster Services, are mobilising to help people affected by the hurricane. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops has a list of charities helping with the disaster listed on its website.
Casualties
Authorities reported several casualties but because of safety issues, not many emergency teams were able to respond immediately as the weather was still unpredictable. Texas Governer Greg Abbott declared the state a disaster area, which will allow federal money to help in reconstruction. Catholic groups said they want to help with the immediate needs of the communities affected.
“We will be sending in rapid-response teams to help our impacted St Vincent de Paul councils and we are coordinating nationally with the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta and (Catholic Charities USA),” said Elizabeth Disco-Shearer, CEO of the Society of St Vincent de Paul USA.