PLANO, Texas–As some credit unions here begin to reopen or make plans to begin business operations again, credit union leaders have their eyes on the weather forecasts.
As CUToday.info reported, credit unions across Texas and portions of the Gulf Coast have been attempting to assess both their own operations and the welfare of their members following Hurricane Harvey’s landfall and the severe flooding that has followed as Harvey was downgraded to a Tropical Storm. The biggest problem early in the week was just being able to make it to the credit union to assess the damage, as CUToday.info reported here, Jon Gorman, SVP of communications and outreach for the Cornerstone CU League, said that some CUs in Houston that had closed are now providing services again to members.
“We are beginning to see some credit unions reopening or having limited reopenings,” said Gorman.
CUToday.info reported Monday that more than 30 credit unions in Texas were closed.
“Right now, I’d rather not share the names of those that are reopening,” said Gorman. “But we are remaining in constant contact with our credit unions and we hope that by sometime Tuesday we will be in touch with all of our credit unions in the regions.”
Besides being one of the worst natural disasters to hit Texas, with the storm having already claimed 10 lives, the weather is not subsiding. Tropical Storm Harvey has been building strength in the Gulf and early Tuesday was expected to make landfall again. Forecasters have predicted that more than 50 inches of rain could hit portions of Texas this week.
“We are preparing for Tropical Storm Harvey to make landfall again sometime in the next 24-48 hours,” said Gorman Tuesday morning. “We are beginning to get some requests for assistance from credit unions and are trying to connect those credit unions with those that have the capacity to offer some assistance.”
Gorman acknowledged that the situation could worsen in the face of a storm that could deliver a one-two punch.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Gorman. “This is a catastrophe for sure.”
The Cornerstone league has released a video featuring league President/CEO Caroline Willard discussing the league’s emergency response.
The league said grants are available for credit union employees and board members to assist with immediate disaster relief needs, such as out-of-pocket costs that may result from being evacuated. Just complete the Disaster Emergency Relief Grant Application.
Click here for a list of disaster recovery contacts and resources.