Convoy of Hope sends aid to Texas

Springfield-based humanitarian nonprofit Convoy of Hope sent supplies this morning by the truckload to Texas.

The tractor trailers full of water and other emergency relief supplies were deployed to help communities around Dallas and Houston, according to a news release. Millions of people in Texas are facing boil-water notices and power outages amid winter weather that's strained the state's electric grid, NPR reports.

"Texas is having a really big issue because the natural gas is freezing in the pipelines there, and it's creating a really dire situation," said Ethan Forhetz, national spokesperson for Convoy of Hope, in a video announcement.

City Utilities of Springfield officials have cited the natural gas wells in Texas as a reason for a power shortage locally. Rolling blackout orders have been issued and rescinded multiple times by CU this week in response to orders from the Southwest Power Pool regional transmission group.

In Texas, Convoy of Hope is sending several trucks worth of supplies, including water, food, blankets and cleaning supplies, said a spokesperson, declining to disclose the total amount.

“Our partnerships with local churches and organizations are essential to our disaster relief efforts,” said Nick Wiersma, vice president of disaster services for Convoy of Hope, in the release. “They enable us to respond quickly in times of crisis and provide aid to those who desperately need it.”