Hurricane Harvey has caused unprecedented and catastrophic flooding and devastation across southeastern Texas, developing from a tropical storm that started earlier this month.

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The floods have destroyed thousands of homes, displacing more than 30,000 people and prompting more than 13,000 rescues. The official death toll on Wednesday was announced as 30 and this is expected to climb as authorities investigate several other deaths and continue to search for the missing. It’s a truly tragic disaster – RIP to the victims and thoughts go out to those who are left homeless from the storm.

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As the death toll continues to mount, several heartbreaking stories have emerged of people who lost their lives while trying to save others and those who died trying their best to survive.

Twenty-five-year-old Andrew Pasek’s parents describe how he stepped on a live electrical wire in ankle-deep water before falling into the lamppost attached to the live wire. Pasek’s friend moved closer to help, but Pasek warned him away. His mother said:

He said, ‘Don’t touch me. I’m dying.’

You just can’t imagine how devastated his parents must feel. Meanwhile Houston police Sgt. Albert Steve Perez died heading to work at around 4am on Sunday. The 60-year-old father of two left after his wife urged him to stay home, allegedly claiming, “I’ve got work to do.” Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said:

I’ve only been here nine months, we’ve got 6,500 employees and I knew who Steve Perez was, because he was a sweet, gentle public servant.

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Two men, 45-year-old Yahir Rubio-Vizuet and 33-year-old Jorge Perez, also died in a boat accident while on a mission with family and friends to save people from the floodwaters and 58-year-old Ruben Jordan disappeared while driving during the storm and was confirmed dead by the Friendswood Police Department. Other victims of the storm include 82-year-old Ronald Zaring and 65-year-old Donald Rogers and his 58-year-old wife Rochelle.

Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent flooding has caused destruction and devastation in this area of the world, claiming many victims including the courageous and heroic people mentioned above. May they rest in peace.

If you’d like to do your bit and donate to help those who have been affected by the storm, the best idea is to donate to local groups such as the Houston Food Bank, Food Bank of Corpus Christi, Houston Humane Society, Houston SPCA, or the San Antonio Humane Society.