On Monday, August 28, Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody posted a photo on Twitter of a home on which a series of tents had been pitched on the roof. The photo had been taken in Houston, Texas where Hurricane Harvey has done the most damage, bringing up to 20 inches of rain.

Tents can be used in a variety of ways and typically come in two basic types: frame and pole. However, while tents can be used for various events, they can also be used for their most basic purpose: shelter.

“The total loss…our team is seeing is indescribable,” Chody tweeted. “Pitching tents on roof[s].”

However, despite the tragedy of the conditions, the use of tents on the roofs of flooded Texas homes is incredibly smart. One of the biggest dangers of a hurricane aside from flying debris is the resulting flooding, and in the aftermath survivors will want to stay above ground shielded from the elements as much as possible.

Since the hurricane’s landfall on Friday, August 25, Houston and other parts of Texas’ East Coast have seen devastating amounts of flooding. According to Mashable, Hurricane Harvey brought a year’s worth of rain to 6 million people over the course of five days, setting a historic record.

“To maximize the population affected by a landfalling hurricane,” said meteorologist Ryan Maue, “you could not have picked a more treacherous place…”

However, Americans across the country are looking to help any way they can. Among them are Spencer Sherf and Cyrus Dawson, two landscapers from Blue Springs, Missouri.

“I’ve got a brother right outside the metroplex area and he told me the water is chest deep around his house and they are sitting there waiting for someone to come get them,” said Sherf to the Kansas City Star.

While the use of landscaping itself can add up to 14% of resale value onto a home, it isn’t the delivery of landscaping materials Sherf and Dawson have been using their HEMTT for. After coordinating with local Houston authorities, the 20-ton truck was outfitted with jet skis and a raft able to hold 25 people before setting off through waters up to seven feet deep to rescue victims still trapped in, or on, their homes.

“I’ve got several friends down there,” Sherf said. “Anything I can do to help out, whether it’s to bring supplies or lend a helping hand, I’m passionate about.”

Photo: @SheriffChody, Twitter