The American Red Cross sent seven Alabamian volunteers, as well as more from across the country, to aid Texans impacted by Tropical Storm Beryl on Sunday.
Beryl made landfall in Houston Monday morning as a category 1 tropical storm, killing at least two people and many without power.
“The biggest priority in those first, that first week, first couple of days is making sure people have safe shelter,” Annette Rowland said, a spokesperson for American Red Cross Alabama and Mississippi Region. “Unfortunately, this is a lot of times where power is still out, people are not able to get back into their homes because there could be water damage, or they may not have power, or maybe they can’t access the road because of trees being down.”
According to a release, volunteers are providing meals, cleaning and providing mental health aid. Not all volunteers must be in person, according to the release, and virtual volunteers provide financial aid and mental health assistance.
“We have a lot of behind the scenes positions that you can work virtually, you can do case work so you’re helping people virtually get back on their feet, helping them with financial assistance,” Rowland said. “We even need disaster mental health workers.”
According to the release, hurricane season is just starting and the American Red Cross always needs volunteers. More information and applications to volunteer can be found here.