Students unite after Tropical Storm Harvey hits Texas -

Students from the Houston area are struggling to find answers and looking for support on campus after a recent storm.

Tropical Storm Harvey was a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph when it landed Friday, according to an article in the New York Times. Hurricane Harvey made landfall northeast of Corpus Christi.

Damage has continued through the week with severe flooding, devastation of homes and record-breaking rainfall. As of Tuesday, the storm has broken the Texas record for the amount of rainfall.

The storm has caused at least 31 deaths.

Callie Michaud, costume design and production senior, found out Monday morning that the chimney sprung a leak, resulting in some damage.

“My family has been affected in various ways, with my grandparents having had a tornado touch down about two miles from their home in Katy, and my parents living two blocks south of the Addicks reservoir, which the city is preparing to drain over the next few days to prevent it from overflowing and flooding our neighborhood,” Michaud said.

Hannah Descartin, acting senior, found out Monday morning that most of her county was evacuated.

“I’m so worried about my city that I’m still in this delusional state of, ‘there is no way that this is actually happening,’” she said.

Several other students are in the same situation, which is why they formed a support group through Facebook Messenger. Michaud said the group tries to stay positive despite their anxieties.

Matt Tuley, acting junior, created the group. Students interested in joining the group can contact him through Facebook.

“It’s been really nice just knowing that there are others I can talk to who understand the gravity of the situation from a more personal perspective,” Michaud said.

On Monday morning, Tuley discovered his neighborhood had flooded. Rescue crews were using boats to rescue people from their homes. He said his family is safe, but he’s still concerned.

“I’ll admit the worst part for me has been the footage I’ve seen of the city I spent the first 18 years of my life in,” Tuley said.

Students interested in helping can donate through several ways, here are a few:

The Red Cross website allows students to help by donating money, food, supplies, and even blood for those who have been injured. Donations to the Red Cross can also be made by texting HARVEY to 90999.
The Salvation Army is also accepting donations on their website or by texting STORM to 51555.
The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund is taking $10 donations via texting HARVEY to 80100.

The Rev. Dr. Charles Neff sent out an email Monday to the campus community, providing ways to help those who were displaced.

“At this point in the recovery efforts, cash donations to relief organizations go the farthest in best assisting those in need. As opportunities for direct assistance become known, we will do our best to publicize those opportunities,” he wrote.

University counseling is free to all students. Appointments can be scheduled by walking in, calling the center at 405-208-7904 or by emailing Counseling Director Mindy Windholz at mbwindholz@okcu.edu. The center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located beside Walker Hall dormitory.

Students have begun setting up bins in the Caf for donations. Those donations will be accepted until Friday.