Hurricane Harvey came ashore in Texas in the early morning hours on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017. It struck hard, with winds and rain devastating thousands who lost their homes and belongings. Record-breaking floods have poured into several Texas cities; many are without power and access to clean water. Please join this station and its parent company, E.W. Scripps, in taking action for Texas and giving money to the American Red Cross. Your donation will aid rescue and relief efforts and provide first aid supplies, clean water, food and more.
Swollen rivers in east Texas aren't expected to crest until later this week, but federal officials are already predicting Tropical Storm Harvey will drive 30,000 people into shelters and spur 450,000 victims to seek some sort of disaster assistance.
And yet, forecasters say, more rain is coming. Lots more.
Several locales have already received 2 feet or more of rain, and forecasters say a reprieve won't arrive till week's end at the earliest. By then, rain totals could reach another 2 feet -- with isolated instances of 40 to 50 more inches -—along the upper Texas coast.
In response to the tragic situation in Texas, several national charity groups are soliciting donations to provide direct assistance to Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey.
One prominent charity providing assistance to victims of Harvey is the American Red Cross.
TAKE ACTION FOR TEXAS: Give to the American Red Cross
According to the Red Cross, it is mobilizing hundreds of trained Red Cross disaster relief workers, truckloads of kitchen supplies and tens of thousands of ready-to-eat meals. The Red Cross has trailers full of shelter supplies including cots and blankets, the Red Cross said.
"This is a dangerous storm and the next few days are going to challenge everyone along the Gulf Coast. This is the time for folks to come together to support one another," said Brad Kieserman, vice president of Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. "We are launching our largest hurricane relief effort in years, and with the help of our partners, we are ready to shelter thousands of people."
To donate to the Red Cross, text the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The Red Cross is also accepting contributions to its website.
The Salvation Army is also preparing crews as part of the disaster response. The Salvation Army said its Emergency Disaster Services relief crews are loading pallets of water and food into 27 mobile kitchens.
“Trained Salvation Army staff and volunteers will be ready with a hot meal, a snack and a cup of coffee or bottled water for first responders and survivors,” said Alvin Migues, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army in Texas. “Salvation Army Officers, who are ordained ministers will counsel and pray with survivors and first responders. This ministry continues to be an integral part of Salvation Army disaster service.”
The Salvation Army is accepting donations through its website, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, of VOAD, is seeking volunteers for future hurricane response. Go here to get more information on helping the National VOAD.
