Hurricane Bret has made landfall on the southwest Texas coast. The greatest threat to life and property is excessive rainfall and other storm activity spawned on the edges of the hurricane. Storm warnings of varying degrees will exist throughout the day in many parts of southwest Texas.

   Bishop Owen, leader of the Rio Grande and Southwest Texas Conferences, has been in close communication with UMCOR staff as the storm approached. Richard Evans, disaster response coordinator for the two affected conferences has the response plan ready for activation when the majority of the storm has passed.

   Two UMCOR staff are in the area and prepared to participate in the assessment of damage and to identify recovery needs. A $10,000 grant will be released at Bishop Owen's request today for the response efforts.

   The other Texas conferences are standing by for clean up efforts. Other volunteers will not be required for 6 to 8 weeks. A container of flood buckets is ready to roll when a destination in southwest Texas is identified.

    You can help with these efforts by giving to UMCOR's Hurricanes '99, Advance #982460-1. To place your name on a volunteer list, call 800-918-3100.

   Please pray for those who have been affected by Hurricane Bret and other recent natural disasters.

   UMCOR Hotline:
   Phone: 1-800-841-1235
   Web: http://gbgm-umc.org/UMCOR-Hotline/