Bishop seeks grant to help Crystal City, Falfurrias

Send contributions to help with storm recovery in Crystal City and Falfurrias to the conference treasurer earmarked for Advance No. 2050 (Disaster Response).

Bishop Joel N. Martinez requested a $10,000 grant April 14 to help victims of high winds, hail and flooding in Crystal City and Falfurrias.
The grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief is to help local church leaders promote long-term recovery among the neediest people affected by storm April 4.
Severe thunderstorms pounded both Crystal City and Falfurrias that day with up to 15 inches of rain and large hail. The storms caused localized flooding and damaged more than 800 buildings in Crystal City and 2,000 in Falfurrias.
Disaster Recovery Coordinator Don Jones distributed 196 flood-buckets in the two communities April 7. Those buckets are filled with disinfectants, cleansers, brushes, gloves and other supplies. He has ordered 500 more floodbuckets and 200 health kits from the United Methodist Committee on Relief warehouse in Bald-win, La.
The April 8 Falfurrias Facts reported that the downpour initially flooded homes and businesses in low-lying areas. Then rising water from Palo Blanco and Cibolo creeks flooded more homes and downtown buildings April 5. That shut down commerce for the day.
The weekly newspaper quoted Brooks County Judge Joe B. Garcia as saying, “This has been the worst storm as far as damage to homes.”
First UMC, Falfurrias, lost all but one window on the north side of its building, reported the Rev. Melanie R. Welsh, pastor of the 73-member congregation.
El Buen Pastor UMC, the Rio Grande Conference congregation in Falfurrias, reportedly sustained major roof and window damage.
In Crystal City, Zavala County official Richard Santos said his primary concern April 14 was mosquito larvae control and securing lumber to board up damaged homes.
First UMC, Crystal City, reported hail damage.
The Governor’s Division of Emergency Management reported flooded homes, businesses and roadways in Zavala County. The local supermarket lost part of its roof and had to be closed for several days.
Jones is working with representatives of the state, Brooks and Zavala counties, regional Baptist and Presbyterian agencies, and pastors in Crystal City and Falfurrias to coordinate recovery work.

Mexican Methodists accepting help for Piedras Negras flood Southwest Texas UMs can send help to flood victims in Piedras Negras, Mexico, through the Methodist Church of Mexico. That’s the word from Susan Hellums, Methodist Border Friendship Commission. “I know many people want to help and have their preferred avenues for doing so,” Hellums said. “But it will be good for us as a conference to go through these channels.” The point of contact is Rene Martinez at (830) 591-9301 in Uvalde. He will tell the Rev. Jonas Alvarez, Fronterizo District superintendent, about donations. Torrential rains April 4 caused the Escondido River to flood more than 750 homes and kill at least 32 residents. Piedras Negras is across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass.