Last week’s heavy rain in south Texas has brought back memories of Hurricane Harvey for some residents along the Gulf Coast. As much as 15 inches of rain fell in some communities, causing flash flooding and forcing hundreds to evacuate their homes.
It’s a sunny day, and a light breeze blows across Port Aransas, Texas, a small island near Corpus Christi. It’s a stark difference to the weather two week ago when Hurricane Harvey crashed into the community.
The road to recovery from Hurricane Harvey is just beginning in Texas. For Mission Presbytery and the Presbytery of the New Covenant, the primary task in recent days has been to maintain communication with churches and congregations in the storm’s path. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in the midst of a six-day visit to both presbyteries to meet with leaders and help them in recovery planning.
Mientras partes de Texas continúan lidiando con las lluvias torrenciales, inundaciones y daños causados por el viento de la tormenta tropical de esta semana, el pueblo presbiteriano está haciendo donaciones a través del Programa Presbiteriano de Asistencia en Desastres (PDA) para ayudar con las necesidades de emergencia.
The high water from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey may be subsiding, but the long-term threat in Texas is far from over. In the Houston area, emergency crews are still going door-to-door looking for people who may still be in their homes. As the water recedes the threat of mold and contaminated water supplies from local chemical plants and refineries continues to complicate recovery efforts.
As parts of Texas continue to deal with heavy rain, flooding and wind damage from this week’s hurricane-turned-tropical storm, Presbyterians are making donations through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) to help with emergency needs.
As news comes in on the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is organizing a response that will help sustain life and restore hope in the coming days.
Mission Presbytery, a mid council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), awarded “Better Together” grants at its recent gathering to strengthen ties between Presbyterians. At a time when some congregations have chosen to leave the denomination, the presbytery awarded the grants to reaffirm its belief that the presbytery and its member congregations are “better together.” With funds received from the recent settlement agreement with First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio, the presbytery elected to strengthen the bonds between those who have chosen to stay and witness together to the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ.