The shelter was decimated by snowstorms in Texas
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have paid for repairs made to a Texas women’s shelter badly damaged by recent snowstorms.
The US state is currently enduring a severe storm that has killed tens of people, destroyed many homes and left more than three million people without electricity.
Experts say it is the worst snowstorm to hit Texas in some 70 years.
Damages from the snowstorm could amount to $50 billion (£35 billion pounds), according to forecasters AccuWeather – taking into account lost wages, damages to buildings and homes and the overall cleanup cost.
This is the state of the border between Texas and Arkansas. One side of the road is Texas, the other Arkansas. You guess which is which.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CLblAhRnRn2
The Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support, in Dallas, Texas was also forced to close due to extensive damage to the building – closing its doors for the first time in 35 years.
The shelter acts as a refuge for over 100 women and children. Many of its residents are victims of domestic abuse and violence.
Residents of the shelter took refuge in a nearby church when the storm began to decimate the shelter.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the shelter lost power on February 13th as millions of Texans scrambled to use heating services.
These services could not cope with the demand.
Jan Langbein, director of the shelter, said residents managed with the situation until Tuesday, February 16th, when the building’s ceiling began to implode. Pipes also burst around the same time, causing freezing cold water to flood the building.
For the first time in 35+ yrs, our emergency shelter & transitional housing have been completely shut down due to burst pipes & power loss. If you are currently in a position to help, we ask that you make a donation; our needs are critical and immediate: https://t.co/ROAvzIsHBg pic.twitter.com/qXPdWsylyn
— Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support (@GenesisShelter) February 18, 2021
Parts of Texas experienced temperatures as low as -22C.
A nearby church then opened its doors to the residents, but the building was left with extensive damage. This is where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped in.
Those managing the shelter asked for help on various social media outlets, and among the many donations they received was one from Harry and Meghan.
The amount donated by the former royals is “undisclosed”, but it is believed the sum put forward by the couple’s Archewell Foundation will go towards urgent repairs such as a new roof and ceiling.
