American Red Cross volunteers including a volunteer with the Northwest Missouri chapter began traveling to Texas this week to help with relief efforts. 

Parts of Texas received over 19 inches of rain over the holiday weekend. According to a Red Cross press release, since the beginning of the year, numerous storms have ravaged the state, displacing thousands of families and devastating homes and businesses. Areas around Houston have had severe weather and flooding for months and flooding is predicted to continue for several days. 

The Red Cross has opened numerous shelters in affected areas and volunteers from across the country, including St. Joseph, are traveling to Texas to help. 

Shoba Brown is a volunteer and driver with the Northwest Chapter of Red Cross. Brown left the St. Joseph location Friday morning in an Emergency Response Vehicle to travel to Texas to help with relief efforts. Brown said she would be picking up a volunteer from the Kansas City Chapter who will be along for the over 10 hour drive. Brown said they will make a stop overnight and she hopes to get an early start Saturday morning to get their assignments. 

“If what I heard is correct and they’re going to send us to Houston, I’d like to get there as soon as possible and get to work,” Brown said. 

According to Northwest Missouri Chapter Executive Director Angie Springs, many families have suffered losses from several floods in just this year. 

“Texas has been having a tough year,” Springs said. “Disasters first hit the area as the year began and again in March, April and (in May). Red Cross workers have been helping from day one and will remain in the affected communities in the weeks and months ahead to make sure people get the help they need.” 

For more information on how to help visit, the Red Cross website, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word TXFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations to Texas Floods and Tornadoes will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters.