YORK, Pa. — As people in East Texas work to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Beryl swept through the Gulf Coast, volunteers from Pennsylvania are offering a helping hand.
"At the drop of a hat, we have people raising their hand, including right here in Central Pa., to take two weeks of their lives and help these relief efforts," said Lauren Burke, the executive director of the American Red Cross Central PA Chapter.
More than 400 Red Cross disaster responders from across the country are in Texas to help with the ongoing hurricane relief efforts. Burke said ten people from Pennsylvania are among the volunteers helping, including Thomas Gormley from Lancaster County.
“With Thomas being one of the first to raise his hand to go down there, he was able to get on the ground and start helping people who needed it most," said Burke.
As of Tuesday, more than two million people are still without power and at least eight people died during the storm. The hurricane has also forced roughly 125 people into emergency shelters.
Burke said volunteers will be distributing aid and helping people as they battle the Texas heat.
“There’s a combined heat and humidity that makes it feel like it’s almost 105 degrees, so that creates additional dangerous situations as people begin to clean up their homes," said Burke. "They’re without power and without air conditioning.”
The American Red Cross is working with Texas state officials to monitor the number of people coming into shelters over the next few weeks to determine how many more volunteers are needed.
“We know Beryl has caused significant damage, so we’re going to be with those affected in the weeks and months to come and help them recover," said Burke.