State Baptists have fund set up

Alabama first respondent teams have not yet been called in to take action on the devastation from Hurricane Harvey occurring in Houston yet, Leroy Cole of the Covington Baptist Association said.

“The Southern Baptist Convention is looking into the situation,” Cole said. “Texas has a large disaster response team, and the surrounding states have teams that would be used first. Somewhere down the line Alabama may be used, and we will be waiting.”

Hurricane Harvey came ashore Friday night, bringing rains that have cause massive flooding.

Before efforts can be continued, the water will need to recede, Cole said.

The Covington Baptist Association has a portable laundry unit that it takes to disaster areas in an effort to help people recover.

Until the dangers subside enough to allow help in, there are other ways to help.

Cole said that the best form of help right now is monetary donations.

Donations can be placed online through Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief at sbdr.org.

Hurricane Harvey has devastated the Houston area, leaving at least eight dead and dozens more injured, according to Texas officials.

Harvey made landfall on Friday as a Category 4 hurricane, the largest to strike the United States since 2005.

Three feet of rain has already hit the Houston area, with a projected 15 to 25 inches of rain over the middle and upper Texas coast, including the Houston area, during the next several days, according to The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center.

More than 450,000 people are likely to seek federal aid in recovering from Harvey, while 30,00 will likely seek shelter, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said.

All donations will help in the effort to support those people through the disaster.