TEXAS, USA — An army of volunteers with the nonprofit Texans on Mission is in standby status to deploy disaster relief as Tropical Storm Beryl approaches the Lone Star State.
“While no one wants a disaster, including us, one of the beautiful things that happen in times like this is communities pull together,” said John Hall, chief mission officer with Texans on Mission.
Since 1967, Texans on Mission has delivered help, hope and healing to those impacted by catastrophe around the world, ranging from hurricanes to tornadoes to wars.
Beryl made landfall Friday morning on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula days after slamming through the Caribbean, at times as a Category 5 hurricane.
Texans on Mission has been monitoring Beryl’s path while ensuring hundreds of volunteers are ready to respond.
“We actually have volunteered teams that are on alert right now in Corpus. We have teams that are in the Rio Grande Valley and so they will very much be the first ones to respond,” Hall said.
Hall noted the severity and location of storm damage will dictate the needs in impacted communities.
Crews with Texans on Mission are equipped with a variety of skillsets.
“Is this going to be a situation where trees and stuff like that is toppled? Then we need chainsaw teams. Is this a heavy rain event where we’re looking at flooded homes and flooded neighborhoods?"
The faith-based group is coordinating with state leaders and other nonprofit organizations to ensure a structured response. Teams will be deployed on Sunday or Monday, and plan to assist storm-affected communities for the long haul.
“We’ve laid the groundwork for years and years. We’re used to working with these partners and we know that very, very quickly we can begin meeting needs after a storm like this,” Hall said. “Small differences don’t matter when somebody’s hurting. You’re going down the street to help somebody out with a chainsaw, you’re helping get folks food that they need, you’re cleaning out a flooded neighbor’s house.”
To learn more about Texans on Mission and how you can help, go here.