HOUSTON, TX – The Texas waters are still rising – but Iowans are stepping up to the challenge.
Roads in and around Houston are completely flooded. And cars and homes submerged, some with people trapped inside.
In the wake of Harvey’s destruction, thousands of people from around the country are flocking to Houston to help. That includes local volunteers with the Red Cross – and everyday Iowans trying to make an impact.
Rod Hamer is a Red Cross Volunteer from Iowa who is in the heart of it all. He says they are doing their best to provide support, but that is proving to be difficult.
“The problem right now is accessibility,” Hamer said. “The major freeways into the city, I think they’re still blocked. So as that improves, we’ll be able to do our jobs.”
And that is a job that is much needed right now.
The George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston is sheltering those with nowhere else to go. But it has nearly double the number of people it can hold, which is usually around 5,000 people.
“The count there this morning was 8,800 people, so we’re really working to get supplies to those people,” Hamer said.
Iowans like Clayton Stowe are on the road to Houston to help, showing all of us back home what “Iowa nice” really looks like in action. He has family in the middle of the devastation and says he has one mission.
“To help as many people as I can,” Stowe said. “If my family, should my family need me, that I’m there.”
Stowe and his friend Andrea Henry both have rescue training and are partnering with the Red Cross to aid in the relief efforts.
“I’ve been a member of the National Guard for almost thirteen years now, so it’s kind of been instilled in me to help my state and my country, so it’s the least I can do,” Henry said.
And while the dramatic rescues continue in the wake of Harvey’s destruction, Iowa volunteers are staying optimistic.
“Hopefully over the next day or two we can start delivering meals to communities who need it,” Hamer said.
