ROCKPORT, Texas — What people in Rockport are most concerned about is the storm surge, or the rise in sea level, from Tropical Storm Beryl.
If a five-foot storm surge were to verify, water would cover the pier and other areas in town, including a local church that acts as a shelter.
"If people are displaced, we're usually one of the churches that people come to. The city officials give us phone calls depending on what the need is. And so we're usually there to help," said Leanna Reininger whose husband is the pastor at the Fulton Community Church.
Their fellowship hall was packed when people lost power during the February freeze of 2021. They say this shelter is needed year round.
Reininger added, "It's especially important here in Rockport because there are no official shelters in the area. So it was just over the years as different disasters have come this way, that we realized the need for this shelter to help people in this community."
Volunteers are placed by the front doors because the bay is just two blocks away and the water could rush in. Now the church says they are just in wait-and-see mode.
Reininger said, "We are keeping a very close eye on the storm. Where its gonna go. How much rain we are going to get. How much flooding will come to this area. How much storm surge."
During Tropical Storm Alberto last month, the church says many of the tiles fell thanks to the heavy rain, damaging sound equipment. That's why they're wrapping everything up that could become severely damaged in case of flooding.
Reininger says with the more northern track of the storm, she's a little less concerned, but still on alert. "So it's just like remaining in a place of peace and just constantly keeping an eye and trying to be wise with what we do," she said.
If you know anyone in need of assistance whether it be food or even a ride out of town, if you need to evacuate, you can call the church's office at 361-729-2180.
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