【My Sisters Friend (2019)】

Collecting donations via iTunes isn't the only way Apple is My Sisters Friend (2019)assisting Texans feeling the devastating affects of Harvey.

Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crews have been using "specially equipped" iPads to coordinate search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of Harvey and the devastating flooding in Houston, according to an internal email obtained by Mashable.

In the email, which Cook sent to all Apple employees on Wednesday, the CEO also outlined his Houston-based team's efforts to helped displaced Apple employees, in some cases opening their homes to them and reminded employees that "the storm's impact is felt by all of us."

There are currently 8,700 Apple employees in Texas. Some are in Austin, which Cook visited, he wrote, " the day before Harvey came ashore, and the team was already bracing for the storm and the long recovery."

Apple has already been active in storm relief efforts, collecting Red Cross donations through iTunes and the App Store (a program that is still ongoing). In the email, Cook notes that Apple has raised more than $1 million and pledged a direct $2 million donation to the relief organization over the weekend.

While it's not clear how long the coast guard has used Apple's products, or what the specifics of the program are, a US Coast Guard spokesperson did confirm to Mashable the use of Apple iPads in these and other operations for flight planning and on search and rescue missions.

Apple has worked with companies in the past to develop special software for law enforcement.

The complete email is below:

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From Tim:

As you know, Hurricane Harvey is having a devastating impact on Texas and Louisiana. Our thoughts are with our employees in the storm zone and the millions of people whose lives have been disrupted by rain, wind and floods. I want to update you on some of the things Apple has been doing to help, and ways that you can get involved.

On the ground, Apple’s global crisis management team is working to support our employees directly affected by the flooding in Texas. The team is in close contact with Apple employees in the Houston area, and they’re actively doing everything they can to assist, including moving some employees and their families to safety. Apple employees in the Houston area have generously been helping people displaced by the flooding by opening their homes to team members and their families, and in some cases, assisting in rescue operations. We’re also proud that the U.S. Coast Guard is using Apple products in those efforts, with nearly two dozen USCG helicopters specially equipped with iPads to help coordinate search and rescue teams.

As Harvey was making landfall, we put in motion critical donation programs. Apple is making it easy for customers to donate directly to the American Red Cross through the App Store, iTunes and apple.com, and we’re matching employee donations two-for-one. Thanks to your generosity and that of our users, Apple has helped raise more than $1 million in just the past few days. That’s in addition to the $2 million Apple pledged to the Red Cross over the weekend.

Though our stores in the Houston area are still closed today, we’re working hard to get as many as possible open tomorrow to serve people who have been impacted by the storm. Our teams are eager to help with problems large and small, and they know there are lots of people in that area who need it.

I was in Austin the day before Harvey came ashore, and the team was already bracing for the storm and the long recovery. Today that work continues. At our Austin campuses, we are kicking off a donation drive in partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank and Caffè Macs to collect food, diapers and personal hygiene items — all things that are critical in the aftermath of a storm of this magnitude.

Because Texas is home to more than 8,700 of our coworkers, the storm’s impact is felt by all of us. There’s still much to do, and Apple is committed to help.

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[UPDATED 8-31-2017 8:46 am ET: Added comments from the USCG]