McConnell Airmen assist communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Waller
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Hurricane Harvey made landfall Aug. 26 near Rockport, Texas, as a Category 4 storm. It brought an influx of heavy rain and winds that continue to affect parts of Texas, Louisiana and Florida.

“My dad lives in Dickinson, Texas,” said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Rush, 22nd Maintenance Squadron quality assurance inspector. “Initially, my goal was to get down there and give him a hand because I knew that as soon as the water dropped, he would need help.”

Rush’s father’s neighborhood backs up to the Dickinson Bayou, which maintains the water drainage system and is currently above normal levels.

Rush and other Airmen are departing here Aug. 31 to help with flood relief for the residents in his father’s neighborhood.

The technical sergeant said his dad’s house is set higher up from others in the neighborhood. From this vantage point, his father can see houses under five feet of water and knows there are still people inside them.

“He had two couples that actually came over to his house and he set them up with water and the main floor [of his house],” said Rush.

I was talking to a couple of individuals and they said, ‘Why don’t you take some stuff with you when you go?’ It snowballed from there, and now my wife is out right now picking up donations,” said Rush.

After Rush’s wife, Auburn, posted a message to a local spouses’ social media site, several collection points were established to collect the supplies.

“It’s been really awesome to see all the support,” said Auburn.

The Airmen are taking water, non-perishable food, diapers, and gasoline with them.

“His neighborhood isn’t a huge one, but it is enough to where the supplies we bring will definitely be used,” said Rush.

Although some Airmen are going in person to help specific families in need, there are other ways those wishing to help can assist residents impacted by the storms and avoid potential scams.

First, before donating food or other supplies, ensure there is a need for it by contacting local shelters or organizations. For more information, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website, https://www.fema.gov/volunteer-donate-responsibly.