New Mexico State University and the city of Las Cruces have joined the effort to help those stricken by Hurricane Harvey in Southern Texas. Students and staff at NMSU have organized efforts in collecting essential resources, while the city of Las Cruces raises awareness to those in the community.

The state of New Mexico is making attempts to provide aid, as well as raising funds for disaster campaigns. In an article published by the Mesilla Valley News, Governor Susana Martinez and the Red Cross of New Mexico announced that state employees were able to raise more than $13,500 in the sixth annual Dollars for Disaster campaign.

Martinez was quoted saying, “From fires, floods, and other emergencies, New Mexicans know more than most how important it is to be prepared and how to come together to help those in need.” Periods go inside the commas

On Wednesday, the Las Cruces community came to a donation clothing drive held at the Pan American Center. The event was organized by Barbara Hubbard, NMSU’s previous special events director. Hubbard said the idea of a clothing drive came to her when she was clearing out her closet. Hubbard told NMSU News that people in Houston needed as much help as they could get.

According to AccuWeather.com, Hurricane Harvey could be the costliest Hurricane in the U.S. with damages reaching almost $190 billion. This is equal to the combined cost of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy.

AccuWeather president Joel Myers says that “Parts of Houston will be uninhabitable for weeks or months due to water damage, mold, and disease-ridden water.”

Las Cruces Public Information Officer, Dan Trujillo said that a group of members within the Las Cruces Fire Department felt compelled to take action and help.

“They really wanted to do something for the better and help our neighbors in Texas”, Trujillo said. “We have a very highly trained and skilled swift water rescue team, and they wanted to be put to use in the aftermath of the disaster. It’s a unique team with a certain set of skills that are specifically used for water rescues.”

Trujillo said there was not a designated time period as to how long the team would be stationed in Houston.

“On Wednesday, they were traveling along with the Texas Task Force 2, which is a military task force with the National Guard”, Trujillo said. “There are five military vehicles and six personnel from our swift water rescue team traveling together.”

Trujillo said that other fire departments in California and Arizona have also sent teams to Houston.

In student efforts, NMSU fraternities Alpha Gamma Rho and Sigma Alpha Epsilon have teamed together in a joint relief project. The two organizations are collecting donations for victims in Houston and the surrounding areas. Donations of any type are welcome, but items such as bottled water, towels, blankets, batteries, flashlights, socks, diapers, hand sanitizer, and non-perishable food are most beneficial. Donations can be brought to the AGR house at 2545 South Espina Street before Thursday, September 21.