Local Red Cross chapter helping those affected by Hurricane Beryl in Texas

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Half a million homes and businesses in southeast Texas may not get power back until next week.

Residents are calling for help in the Houston area, and our local Red Cross chapter tells us their boots are on the ground at work.

Hurricane Beryl swept through the Gulf Coast on Monday leaving 10 people dead in Texas and destroying infrastructure across the region. Hospitals, assisted living facilities, and water plants need their main utilities.

Non-profits like our local Red Cross chapter in Texas assist the state’s emergency response team with resources. Red Cross has set up 20 shelters across the state, along with providing medical supplies and food.

Though they say help for disasters is needed long-term, “Definitely volunteer to get trained in roles like sheltering, like standing up a canteen because other leadership roles that you can train to do that if we’re in a position like this then you can deploy,” says Executive Director for the Central-Western Mass Red Cross.

If you are not available to train right now, spread the word to friends and neighbors. The Red Cross disaster-action team is completely volunteer-based and assists local fires and flooding.

The Red Cross says it’s going to be a heavy grey season and they really need all the help they can get to deliver resources.

Local News

Common Wealth Murals hold community paint party

Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival continues with musical performances

Springfield to reopen cooling centers on Sunday

Red Fire Farm in Granby celebrates blueberry season

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.