Red Cross of Alaska, oil companies coordinate donations to help flood-ravaged Texans

The Red Cross of Alaska is deploying volunteers to help with flood recovery efforts along the storm-slammed Gulf Coast and shepherding donations to victims with help from the oil industry that connects Houston and Alaska.

"Donations will definitely be the most helpful to us, because it allows us to get people things they need when they need it," said Tanguy Libbrecht, chief executive of Red Cross Alaska.

Tropical Storm Harvey slammed into the Texas coast over the weekend as one of the most powerful hurricanes to strike the United States in years. It has dumped record amounts of rainfall, leading to thousands of rescues of flood-imperiled victims in Houston and surrounding areas.

"This will be a long, protracted recovery of many months," Libbrecht said.

Alaskans can help by visiting redcross.org/Alaska, calling 800-RED-CROSS, or texting "HARVEY" to 90999 to make a $10 donation, a statement from the organization said.

The organization said it was sending its fourth volunteer from Alaska on Tuesday.

[Texans refuse to leave pets behind as they flee Harvey flooding]

Gov. Bill Walker sent an offer of help to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Walker said in a statement Tuesday.

"To aid Texas, Alaska has deployed more than 20 personnel from the 249th Airlift Squadron and the Alaska Air National Guard. May God watch over them and those affected by the hurricane," Walker said.

Members of the Alaska Air National Guard 176th Wing left Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Monday to provide humanitarian support. A C-130 Hercules cargo plane was headed to Moffett Air Field, California, to provide support, said a statement from Joshua Jasper with JBER.

A key connection with Alaska is the oil industry in the state, whose companies are often headquartered or have major operations in Houston, a global hub for the energy industry.

Alaska's major oil producers, ExxonMobil, BP and ConocoPhillips, have board members on the Red Cross of Alaska who have provided support and helpful information about the flooding and rescue efforts, Libbrecht said. The parent companies have made significant donations to support response efforts, he added.

ExxonMobil has given $1 million, including $500,000 to the American Red Cross, Libbrecht said. ConocoPhillips has also given $1 million to the American Red Cross. And BP and the BP Foundation is giving $750,000, including $250,000 to the American Red Cross, and is also matching donations from employees.

Wells Fargo, meanwhile, said on Tuesday that customers nationwide could donate to the American Red Cross through the bank's ATMs without being charged a fee. The bank has also donated $1 million, said David Kennedy, with Wells Fargo's Alaska region.