It is expected to make landfall on Saturday. The storm continues to gain strength in the Gulf waters and officials in both states urge residents to follow instructions from local authorities and evacuate if necessary.
“Many of the communities in Texas threatened by this hurricane have worked tirelessly to help those displaced by Hurricane Katrina,” said Abagail Nelson, Vice President of Program for ERD. “We continue to stand with all vulnerable communities as they now face Hurricane Rita.”
Thousands of Hurricane Katrina evacuees are among those relocating further inland.
A state of emergency was declared by Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas, who ordered a mandatory evacuation. Hurricane Rita’s current path puts Galveston, located just 360 miles from New Orleans, at the center of the storm. About 4,000 people from New Orleans who were relocated to Galveston have been moved to Fort Chafee in Arkansas.
Episcopal Relief and Development is in communication with partners in the Dioceses of Texas, Western Louisiana, Louisiana, and other dioceses who may be affected by Hurricane Rita. We stand ready to respond immediately and provide emergency assistance as needs are identified.
“The Diocese of Texas has backed up all the files and moved them to Austin and made arrangements to be open from our Austin office if we lose power in Houston,” said Carol Barnwell, Communications Director for the Diocese of Texas. “We have asked all our folks to follow the instructions of the local authorities, secure their church documents and historic valuables. Christ Church Matagorda, the mother church of Texas, is threatened by Rita,” said Barnwell.
