It wasn't just wind and rain that caused damage when Hurricane Harvey blasted through the Texas coast. Fires did their share too.
A family in Robstown, just west of Corpus Christi, lost their homes to a fire just as Harvey was hitting the area. The Rojas family had evacuated their three houses on property they own. They returned to a distressing sight: all three houses destroyed by fire.
But they also found something in the ashes that they say gave them hope -- an intact statue of the Virgin Mary.
"Some may blame God and some may blame the hurricane but the only thing standing were holy things," Natali Rojas told CNN affiliate KRIS. "As you can see this statue is the only thing that survived. I dug in there for things and all I found is a Virgin Mary."
The family said the Robstown Fire Department battled the flames even as the hurricane raged.
"I wanna thank the Fire Department of Robstown for courage to show up in the storm while the tremendous power, the wind, the rain were going and they were still out here trying their best. It was incredible," said Jesus Rojas, Natali Rojas' father.
The family is taking the statue's survival as a sign that they can make it, too.
"Appreciate what you have, listen to the warnings, hug your children and thank God for today and yesterday, and pray for a better tomorrow," Natali Rojas said.
Latest Stories
-
Revisiting the forensic audit EC will increase credibility of future elections – Omane Boamah
26 minutes -
Africa Food Systems Parliamentary Network urges governments to increase investment in agriculture
8 hours -
AU and partners urge youth to get involved in efforts to transform continent’s food systems
8 hours -
Fire kills 3-year-old at Asawase-Dagomba Line in Ashanti Region
9 hours -
Paskal A.B. Rois: How Mahama inspires me
9 hours -
Complete abandoned projects in Akatsi North District – Chiefs to Mahama
9 hours -
Painter and sculptor B. Acheampong turning his passion for art into profitable venture
10 hours -
Presidential lodge, RM residency in Ashanti region left to rot away
10 hours -
Herty Corgie highlights the essence of gratefulness in ‘My Gratitude’
12 hours -
ANNOUNCEMENT: Joy FM temporarily goes off air January 11
12 hours -
Yango honored with two titles at the Technovation Africa Awards 2024
13 hours -
Aowin Traditional Council declares war on illegal mining with spiritual intervention
13 hours -
Leadership must ensure equity for all citizens, regardless of faith – Asiedu Nketiah
13 hours -
Prof. Alex Manu appointed Executive Director at Centre for Social Justice
13 hours -
Imminent changes within some key security agencies, state institutions, and its implications
13 hours