Rio Texas Disaster Response leadership met today via teleconference with the district superintendents of impacted districts, conference staff, and Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference. Although reports are only beginning to come in from the hardest hit areas, they are beginning to form a picture of what the needs will be over the next days, weeks and months.

From Senior Pastor, Larry McRorey

Dear Friends,

I have just received word that upon further inspection, our church campus has suffered significant structural and water damage....and not the office building. It appears the Day School building will be a total loss as the roof has been ripped off and there is significant physical and water damage to the interior.

From the Rio Texas Disaster Response Committee

Hurricane Harvey is taking aim at the central Texas coast & is sure to affect our conference.  We anticipate needing response teams by early next week, so now is the time to get prepared.  Disaster response needs/call outs will be communicated via email and on the Disaster Response Facebook page. 

We just received this update from Pastor Larry McRorey in Portland:

Good Morning Friends!  The storm has passed.  Preliminary reports are that Portland has sustained moderate damage with numerous trees, fences, and power lines being down.  The city is without power and there are reports of gas leaks that are being addressed.  There appears to be minimal structural damage across the city and as of now, most homes seem to have survived without great damage. 

KIII TV in Corpus Christi recently showed live coverage of Highway 361 in Corpus Christi. The footage showed major roof damage to Island in the Son United Methodist Church. The rest of the building appears to be intact.

Information is coming in slowly, especially from the hardest hit areas like Aransas Pass and Rockport. We are following news and social media and are posting the very latest at https://www.facebook.com/RioTexas/ and https://www.facebook.com/RioTexas/

First United Methodist Church, Johnson City has been asked by Blanco County’s EOC to be prepared to open as a temporary shelter for Blanco County residents IF any are forced to leave their homes. The church IS NOT open for evacuees at this time, but is standing by should that need arise.

University United Methodist Church is currently set up to be a medical facility for those coming to San Antonio seeking shelter from Harvey and who need medical care. Therefore, ALL worship services will be held in the South sanctuary.; 8:15, 9:30, and 11:00.