CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Hurricane Ian’s impact is bringing back memories for staff at the Texas State Aquarium.
When Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017, the Coastal Bend needed help. Now the folks at the Texas State Aquarium want to return the favor.
Officials are donating $25,000 to the AZA relief fund for staff to help aquarium and zoo workers in Florida.
"We used it 5 years ago," said TSA CEO Jesse Gilbert. "We were those aquariums. So we feel its really important. We know what they're going through. It's tough -- they have a tough couple weeks ahead of them."
The fund actually goes to the workers whose homes have damaged by the storm.
Seeing pictures from Florida reminded many of the TSA staff of what happened here.
“That was the one that just kind of took your breath away,” said Gilbert. “There was this human aspect what the staff was going through. They were caring for these animals, dedicating everything they had making sure the animals were safe, but their homes might not have been."
The money is expected to help relieve some of the stress that will come with clean-up in the days ahead.