By Kalyn Story | News Editor and Aj Key | Reporter
Since Hurricane Harvey’s landfall, some Baylor students have shifted their focus from school to the safety of their loved ones.
In fall 2016, 1,605 students were from Harris County, 486 students were from Fort Bend County and 374 studentswere from Montgomery County.
That totals over 2,000 students in the Baylor family that have been impacted by the hurricane. Katy junior Kristen Echevarria said her family hasn’t been able to leave their house since Saturday due to the flooding.
“The whole situation is really scary for me and my family,” Echevarria said. “It’s really hard not to be there with them during this time. It’s heartbreaking to see the pictures of my entire hometown underwater and there’s nothing I can do.”
Other students are having a hard time focusing on their studies because of the hurricane, not because they are being affected directly but because of their family members and peers.
Bothell, Wash. senior Pavithra Srinivasan said it’s hard to see her friends go through such tragic events while being away at school.
“I have a friend that lives in Katy and her entire family is living on the second floor of her house because it is flooded. They are afraid that the roof will cave in.” Srinivasan said.
In some parts of southern Texas, gas prices have gone from $1.99 to $3.29.
While Central Texas is running low as everyone is traveling further away from the Hurricane, according to CNN.
As of 8 p.m. Monday, the Washington Post reported that nine people have died as a result of the storm, while the Associated Press reported that three deaths have been confirmed.
The National Weather Service models showed the Brazos River rising to 59 feet by today, topping the previous record of 54.7 feet. Houston has received 25 inches of rain minimum with an expected 12 to 24 more inches.
Echevarria said that while the storm is extremely difficult to go through the rebuilding of her town will be difficult as well.
Baylor has created a website for Harvey victims that is designed to help Baylor reach out to students about what they can do to assist in anyway possible.
The website will be updated as new information is given to the university about the status of our fellow Baylor Bears and their families.
President Linda Livingstone and her family opened their doors to Rice University’s volleyball team while it waits out the effects of Hurricane Harvey.
Rice University’s football team, whom was stranded coming in from a flight from Los Angeles, was welcomed with open arms by the Baylor football team staff and family as they could not return to Houston.
Baylor students are following suit by opening their arms to many other victims who have been displaced.
