Evangela Gullens

Every day there are new stories and connections to people from the Madison area who are trying to get in contact with their family stuck in Texas.

Phone calls and video chats give a small piece of comfort Evangela Gullens, while she waits for her daughter and granddaughter to be rescued in Houston.

“If I see her and can text her in that moment, then I know for that moment she is at least OK. One day she didn’t answer, and oh my god, it was horror for me,” Gullens said.

Gullens’ daughter Demetria Speights and 5-year-old granddaughter Na’riyah moved from Madison to Texas this year. Now they are stuck in an apartment in Houston.

“I can’t lose a child to something like this,” she said. “It’s really nerve-wracking because I feel helpless.”

While Demetia’s apartment complex is not flooded, there is still no way for her to get out.

“The streets around me are flooded. Right now I’m OK. I can’t go anywhere, we are getting low on food and water. I’m just ready to come back home for a while,” she said. “I’m scared. I’ve never been through anything like this in my life. I’m used to snow. I’m a little nervous but I’m trying to keep the faith and not think about it too much.”

Madison District 10 Alder Maurice Cheeks knows the importance of those phone calls.

His mother’s apartment complex began flooding early this week. His two younger brothers, who live downtown, were also left stranded. One of his brothers was forced to sleep in his car after getting stuck in the water. All three are now safe and have shelter thanks to the help of strangers.

It’s a comfort Gullens hopes she will be able to feel soon.

“I’m always nervous, I’m always scared. To have her back home would be the greatest gift ever.” Gullens said.

The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County is partnering with the Crush Basketball club in Sun Prairie to help victims.

They will be traveling to Texas Thursday in hopes of rescuing Madison residents stuck in Houston, including Demetria and her daughter. If you have a family member who needs help in Houston, you can reach the group at [email protected]. You can also reach them through their website crushbasketball.net.