Hurricane Harvey: How You Can Help

Austin was spared the worst. The National Weather Service has reported that the weather remains good for the Austin area and there is no anticipated rain for the area over the next day or two. There has been no measurable rain in the past 19 hours. 

The flood gauge at Onion Creek down to 7 feet and does not threaten any homes.  Should weather conditions change, information will be updated at www.WarnCentralTexas.org, where you can sign up to receive updates.

Austin Energy is continuing to work on the outages in the Windsor Park area. They are confident that all outages will be cleared today. Capital Metro is reporting that buses are on normal schedule with no delays. The Austin Police Department has now resumed normal patrol operations. Public hurricane shelter information in Austin is available by calling 3-1-1. The City of Austin has updated the Hurricane Harvey FAQ that can be found at www.austintexas.gov/help

Now it’s our turn to help. As of 10:00am, we are sheltering 546 fellow Texans in four area shelters, though they will be moved into the convention center over the next two days as we prepare to welcome several thousand additional guests. The Mayor wants everyone to know that if Texans come to Austin needing shelter that we fill find a place for them.

We all have a role to play in the recovery efforts, which is why we have compiled a page at mayoradler.com/hurricane-harvey-how-you-can-help/ to direct you to the right places. We will be updating this as new opportunities emerge, but here’s what we have for you now:
 

1. Donate to Relief Organizations: Relief organizations are doing everything from providing food and shelter to helping with evacuation and rescue support. Donations increase the capacity of these organizations to provide assistance to the affected areas. Further, cash donations offer the most flexibility to address urgently developing needs. When choosing an organization to donate to, there are a variety of options locally and nationally.
    
   • Austin Disaster Relief Network: Donate money or items to help victims coming to Austin. The Hope Family Thrift Store at 1122 E 51st Street will be receiving items starting Saturday, Aug. 26. Needed items include: new undergarments (all ages and sizes), new socks (all ages and sizes), toiletries, new bed pillows, new blankets, cleanup supplies, black trash bags, mops and buckets, utility knives, leather work gloves, inflatable mattresses, hand sanitizer, and box fans. Visit https://adrn.org/disaster-relief/hurricaneharvey/ for more information on how to help.
      
   • Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund: Visit ghcf.org to make a donation to Houston's flood victims. This fund was established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, and will go toward the city's rebuilding efforts once the storm passes.
      
   • American Red Cross: Red Cross is helping victims on the national level. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text HARVEY to 90999. Stay updated on the Red Cross Central and South Texas shelters here: https://redcrosscstr.wordpress.com/.
      
   • The Salvation Army: Salvation Army disaster teams from across the country will travel to communities affected by the storm and provide care to survivors and relief workers. Call 1-800-SALARMY or visit helpsalvationarmy.org to donate to their efforts
      
   • Catholic Charities USA: Another national organization, Catholic Charities USA is accepting donations to fund recovery efforts including direct assistance, rebuilding, and healthcare services. Text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 to donate.
      
2. Donate Blood: We Are Blood is encouraging anyone interested in donating blood to visit their website www.weareblood.org or to call 512-206-1266 to make an appointment to donate.
    
3. Offer a Room: Evacuees and people whose houses have been destroyed are in need of shelter. The City is opening public shelters, but you can help house evacuees too.
    
   • Airbnb has created a portal just for Hurricane Harvey survivors and is waiving all fees for those offering up their homes. Call 1-415-800-5959 or 1-855424-7562 or go here.
      
   • The Jewish Federation of San Antonio has created this survey for those interested in offering housing to people in need.
      
4. Volunteer in Affected Areas: National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and the Texas VOAD both provide links to those who wish to register to volunteer with organizations working in the field. The State of Texas is asking volunteers to not self-deploy, as unexpectedly showing up to any of the communities that have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey will create an additional burden for first responders.
    
5. Volunteer Locally: Browse GivePulse.com for volunteer opportunities with lots of Central Texas agencies. The Austin Disaster Relief Network is also requesting volunteers. There are no current needs for Central & South Texas Region of the American Red Cross volunteers, due to overwhelming support in the Austin region.
    
6. Donate to the Austin Diaper Bank: Austin Diaper Bank has given over 5,000 diapers to Hurricane Harvey victims. You can help by donating diapers at their warehouse or at one of their drop-off locations, or by making a monetary donation. They are in need of diapers of all sizes and wipes. Visit www.austindiapers.org to find a drop-off location or to make a donation.
    
7. Donate to Driscoll Children’s Hospital in the Corpus Christi Area: http://www.driscollchildrens.org/giving
    
8. Donate to Food Banks: Donating money to food banks in affected areas is a safe and effective way to contribute to relief efforts. Cleaning supplies and food donations are also appreciated. Visit https://www.feedingtexas.org/help/ to find the food bank in your zip code. Central Texas Food Bank is accepting donations here. Because this food bank was unharmed in the storm, it will become an integral point in the recovery for resources via Feeding Texas.
    
9. Donate to Texas SPCA or Austin Pets Alive: These organizations are accepting monetary and in-kind donations (litter boxes, cat litter, towels, blankets, large wire crates, pet beds, newspaper and gas gift cards) for pets affected by the storm. Austin Pets Alive is also asking for residents to consider adoption.
    
10. Donate or Volunteer with Coastal Cleanup and Recovery Organizations: Money, materials, and time will be necessary for full recovery of the Texas coast. Visit the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group: www.coastalbendcan.org/CBDRG
     
11. Stay Informed and Up-to-Date: Needs of the crisis will change over time.