Alabama is receiving an increasing number of calls for assistance from Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl’s devastating impact on Houston.
Texas is currently experiencing a situation where the scorching heat is accompanied by severe flooding, fallen trees, and power lines.
On Tuesday, Alabama Power received a call and promptly responded by sending 350 of its personnel to Houston.
The request for assistance came from Huffman, Texas, which is approximately 25 miles away from Houston, and was directed to the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
According to convention officials, a group consisting mostly of chainsaw volunteers will be dispatched to Texas to assist with tree clearing efforts. This team of 75 individuals is set to depart this week and will remain in Texas for a minimum of one week.
Mark Wakefield, Disaster Relief & Chaplaincy Ministry Strategist at Alabama Baptist State Convention, stated that they are dispatching a chainsaw team and heavy equipment to assist with cleaning up homes and removing trees from houses. Additionally, volunteers will be sent to provide meals for the relief team. The administration team will handle the job orders and process them accordingly. As requested, they are also in the process of sending a larger unit to provide more significant services to the affected community.
The volunteers wielding chainsaws are well aware of the daunting task ahead of them in clearing the trees. However, according to Wakefield, they are not only trained, but also view this assignment as an opportunity to make a positive impact.
