With Hurricane Ike on a collision course with the Gulf coast of Texas, residents are preparing for a mandatory evacuation that takes effect today. After cutting across Cuba and destroying at least 200,000 homes there, inundating entire cities and causing widespread death and destruction in Haiti, Ike headed out to the Gulf of Mexico, only to triple in size before beginning its journey towards the shores of Texas.
Because of its size, officials fear that the impact of Ike will be felt all along the Gulf coast. Storm surges of 20 feet are feared. Ike is expected to reach Texas and Louisiana on September 13.
As Ike advances, Episcopal Relief & Development is communicating with affected dioceses in Texas, West Texas and Arkansas and is ready to respond. Those dioceses are preparing for the potential disaster and monitoring the needs of their communities.
"Communities all along the Gulf coast are in our thoughts and prayers as we wait and watch the path of Hurricane Ike," said Abagail Nelson, Senior Vice President for Programs at Episcopal Relief & Development. "We are ready to help if called to do so."
Episcopal Relief & Development is continuing to respond to the devastation caused by recent hurricanes in Haiti and monitoring the needs of other hard-hit countries in other parts of the Caribbean.
To support people on the Gulf Coast impacted by hurricanes, please make a donation to Episcopal Relief & Development's "US Hurricane Fund" online at www.er-d.org, or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief & Development "US Hurricane Fund" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. For contributions assisting those in Haiti and the Caribbean, please give to Episcopal Relief & Development's "Hurricane Relief Fund".
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development takes its mandate from Jesus' words found in Matthew 25. Its programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow's challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.