Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas and stranded countless people in their homes after Texans saw 40 inches of rainfall over the course of the weekend. Hurricane Harvey first touched down on Friday night as a Category 4 Hurricane, with winds of 130 miles per hour. Five people have been killed, and many more are injured or trapped. You may be feeling helpless, but there are ways you can help — espeically if you’re close to the affected area. But if you happen to be far away, there are still many organizations you can donate to and help out.
1. Airbnb: If you live in the area, you can offer up your space for people in need of shelter. Airbnb is waiving all service fees, and tons of people are listing their home for free.
2. Help Local Organizations: Donating to charity is always a good way to go in times of need, and there is a very long list of groups helping out after Hurricane Harvey. The Food Bank of Corpus Christi is accpting food donations, as well as monetary donations. The Houston Humane Society is rescuing and providing shelter for affected animals and is taking donations. Portlight works to help people with disabilities with their evacuation and medical needs.
3.Help National Organizations: You can look into the American Red Cross, which is helping those displaced find shelter and supporting its volunteers on the ground. Americares is getting medical supplies and help out to the first responders and those affected by the hurricane.
4. Donate Blood: Red Cross, South Texas Blood and Tissue Center and Carter BloodCare are all accepting blood donations. This is a great and essential way to help out if you don’t have the money to give.
5. Donate Food: Feeding Texas has helped to arrange spots across the state where people can donate food. If you aren’t in Texas but want to help with the food drive, you can donate to Feeding Texas and help further their efforts.
6. Rescue Efforts: The Harris County Sheriff’s Office tweeted a plea for help from people with the vehicles to do so:
Photo Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Flickr and HCSO Texas Twitter
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