The Friday Five – Hurricane Harvey: How to Help
The reports continue to come in and experts say the damage and cost to the great state of Texas due to Hurricane Harvey is unprecedented. According to AccuWeather, “Harvey may end up being the costliest natural disaster in the history of the United States, considering the size and population of the area affected.” Four days into the storm forecasts showed the water level continuing to rise in rivers and bayous and more levees at risk for breaches. Hundreds of thousands of people are without electricity, thousands have been rescued while an unknown number are still trapped in their homes and hundreds of thousands more have been evacuated and are residing in shelters. Fortunately, during disasters such as this, there are organizations and groups that come to aid of those in need. This week’s Friday Five compiles five ways to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
AccuWeather predicts Hurricane Harvey to be the most costly natural disaster in US history. https://t.co/WUOsKLFrXJ pic.twitter.com/cbwnoBleO5
— AccuWeather (@breakingweather) August 30, 2017
Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
After receiving an overwhelming number of inquiries from citizens and companies who wanted to help, Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to accept tax deductible flood relief donations for victims. The fund is housed at the Greater Houston Community Foundation (@greaterhoucf), a 501(c)(3) public charity. The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund has organized a “one stop shopping” donation experience with links to all sorts of local, state and global links to contribute money and/or supplies. If you would rather not to donate online there is also a list of other options to transfer cash.
As Flooding Continues, FEMA Provides Essential Information for Houstonians https://t.co/CtsuWHKMoZ
— Greater Houston CF (@greaterhoucf) August 28, 2017
Feeding Texas
Feeding Texas (@FeedingTexas) is a statewide, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that “is proud to serve alongside state and federal relief efforts when disasters strike Texas.” They are currently working hard in response to Hurricane Harvey and the organization says that “at this point in the disaster the best form of support is financial.” Visit the Feeding Texas website to donate and get updates on the latest.
Thursday Hurricane Update: Waves of Support & Challenges for Food Banks https://t.co/s0qTeTz9P0 pic.twitter.com/pPsBKpVqvE
— Feeding Texas (@FeedingTexas) August 31, 2017
RNRN Disaster Relief Fund
National Nurses United (@nationalnurses) and the Registered Nurse Response Network (RNRN) work to send nurses to disaster stricken areas and right now Texas certainly qualifies. To support their mission visit the RNRN Disaster Relief Fund secure donation form and share it with friends to ensure that RNs are there to help when needed most.
We’re there for you,Texas. RN Response Network is working on sending #nurses to #Houston to help #HoustonStrong. #HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/W8onR32dmL
— Bonnie Castillo (@NNUBonnie) August 30, 2017
Organizations focused on Medical Needs
Portlight and Direct Relief USA are two organizations that specifically focus on the medical needs of people in emergency situations. Portlight offers assistance to those with disabilities and works to “provide for any immediate needs they may have for disability related accommodations, durable medical equipment and other assistive technology, responding to evacuation and sheltering issues and problem-solving for a variety of immediate disability accessibility issues.” Direct Relief USA operates the largest charitable medicine program in the United States and during emergencies they work directly with local health centers to provide them with the medicines and supplies they need to help people in need.
Since Hurricane #Harvey made landfall last Friday night, clinics impacted across the #Texas coast, have used medicine and supplies pic.twitter.com/yAgCu5lEOJ
— Direct Relief (@DirectRelief) August 30, 2017
Blood Donation Options
Blood donation centers across the US have been experiencing a nationwide blood shortage for months now and the recent events in Texas are putting more of a strain on the supply. Another way you can help victims of Harvey is by donating blood. To find a center near you can visit America’s Blood Centers, Blood Source and of course the American Red Cross. In addition, local Texas organizations accepting blood donations are Carter BloodCare and the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.
Our thoughts remain with those affected by #HurricaneHarvey. We’re sending more blood and need your donations. https://t.co/SJkJJsmp79 pic.twitter.com/Tbwfltdt3n
— Carter BloodCare (@CarterBloodCare) August 29, 2017
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives.
