Verizon users can call, text for free after Hurricane Patricia

In the aftermath of Hurricane Patricia, Verizon wireless customers can text and call family and friend members in Mexico for free until Friday.

The calls and text must originate in the U.S. Applicable taxes and surcharges still apply.

Also, U.S. landline customers can make free calls until Friday.

Wireless customers can make a $10 donation to relief efforts by texting "MEXICO" to the short code 80108. The donation will be charged to users next monthly bill. Customers using prepaid services will have the donations deducted from prepaid balances.

Hurricane Patricia roared ashore in Mexico on Friday as a Category 5 terror that barreled toward land with winds up to 200 mph. But the arrival of the most powerful hurricane on record in the Western Hemisphere caused remarkably little destruction. What was left of Patricia by the time the weakened storm straggled into Texas, which is now seeing flooding.

President Enrique Pena Nieto said Saturday that 3,000 to 3,500 homes were damaged and about 8,650 acres of farmland were hurt.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.