As Florida residents, Russell and I are acutely familiar with the impact a hurricane or tropical storm can have. I distinctly recall the ravages of Hurricane Charley in 2004—emerging from the house after hours of blistering rain and wind gusts mimicking freight trains to find my neighborhood in seeming disrepair.

The 2004 hurricane season brought four named storms through Orlando—Charley, Ivan, Frances, and Jeanne. I remember having to call my girlfriend’s mother—who had taken the family to New Orleans in the aftermath of Charley—to let them know their roof had collapsed. Nothing adequately prepares you for something as violent, as visceral, and as devastating as a strong hurricane.

But we’ve never seen anything like Hurricane Harvey. For that I’m thankful.

Hurricane Harvey has decimated the southeast coast of Texas, and continues to dump millions of gallons of rain on Houston and the surrounding areas. Reports have stated that the area has already received nearly a year’s worth of rainfall—with more on the way.

The images out of Texas are harrowing. Buildings and homes leveled. Water nearing highway overpass signs. It’s akin to something out of post-apocalyptic fiction.

But then there are the images of Good Samaritans rescuing people in their own boats and rafts. Ordinary individuals taking to the flooded streets to help strangers. It’s these situations where all differences are set aside and the only issue on the table is lending a hand.

Texans are quite the proud bunch, and in the wake of such a monumental natural disaster, they’re showing the rest of the world their strength and resilience.

We empathize with those affected in Texas, thank the brave first responders, and hope that Mother Nature eases up a bit in the coming days.

If you have the resources, please head over to the American Red Cross website and donate a few bucks to the relief effort.