God’s Pit Crew prepares to aid Houston after Hurricane Beryl

DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl has left many Texas communities in urgent need of assistance. A local disaster response team is mobilizing to meet this need.

God’s Pit Crew is sending aid to Texas after Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday as a category 1 hurricane.

“Anytime that we see something that has devastated so many lives, there’s really no question,” said Chief Operating Officer Brandon Knuckles. “We’re going to go - we’re going to deploy; we’re going to send as many products as we possibly can.”

Beryl has been blamed for at least seven deaths in the US – one in Louisiana and six in Texas. Tuesday, the White House announced President Joe Biden declared it a major disaster.

“With this major disaster declaration in place we will be able to provide lifesaving and life-sustaining activities,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

The local relief organization plans to send two semi-trucks full of supplies including blessing buckets, food, water and more. Knuckles says they want to alleviate the hardship faced by residents due to the devastation.

“What we hope is that it just really restores a little bit of hope and joy in that person who’s been through one of the most devastating moments of their life,” explained Knuckles.

God’s Pit Crew volunteers were just in Houston helping victims after flooding in May killed in eight people. Volunteers will make their way back to the area and help with relief efforts.

“They will cut trees off houses, remove debris, will be mucking out flooded homes, making sure that they’re getting dried, mold remediated,” added Knuckles. “And all of this we’re doing for free for the people who just keep getting devastated by back-to-back natural disasters.”

If you’re interested in helping with the organization’s efforts, Knuckles says you can contribute by volunteering, donating, or praying.