Hurricane Harvey: How You Can Help
Hurricane Harvey hit eastern Texas as a category 4 hurricane on Friday night, the largest storm to hit the United States in over a decade. While Hurricane Harvey has since been downgraded in intensity to a tropical storm, it has also stalled over the coast, resulting in record-shattering rainfall—and subsequent widespread flooding that isn't going to let up for several more days. Houston, Texas, the fourth largest city in the United States, is currently experiencing catastrophic and historic flooding. "This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced," the National Weather Service Tweeted on Sunday morning. And according to FEMA chief Brock Long, it will likely take years for the local area to recover from the storm.
The storm and its impact hasn't stopped yet, but relief efforts are currently under way. And even if you don't live anywhere near Houston or coastal Texas, you can still do your part in aiding those in need and affected by Hurricane Harvey. Here are some ways you can help those impacted by this devastating and horrific storm.
Donate money to any of the organizations with Harvey relief funds recommended by Charity Navigator. See the list here. Charity Navigator is an authoritative resource that analyzes and scores charities based on a range of criteria, to help you make informed decisions about your philanthropic giving.
Here are the organizations that Charity Navigator recommends, as well as how those organizations are aiding those impacted by the storm, according to their websites:
American Red Cross — The Red Cross is providing shelters for thousands of evacuees, as well as food and supplies for those shelters. They're also providing blood.
Global Giving — Global Giving is providing emergency supplies, such as food, water, and medicine, as well as long-term recovery assistance.
Americares — Americares is providing emergency medicine and supplies to people caught in the storm's path.
International Relief Teams — IRT is providing storm evacuees with personal hygiene kits, to be delivered early next week.
Direct Relief — Direct Relief is equipping local healthcare providers with necessary healthcare supplies and kits.
All Hands Volunteers — All Hands' emergency responders and volunteers are on the ground and positioned to provide help as needed.
Save the Children — Save the Children's emergency responders are providing assistance to children and families in need in the community.
You can learn more about what each organization does (as well as donate money) through Charity Navigator directly, or through any of their websites (links above).
Here are additional ways to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey:
Donate blood. Find out how via Red Cross.
If you live nearby, use Airbnb to offer a place to stay to people misplaced by the storm. Here's how it works.
Help pets in need by donating time or money to the San Antonio Humane Society. The SAHS is housing pet evacuees from Harvey, and they could use your support.
Donate to local food banks. Here are the food bank donation pages for Houston and Galveston County.
Donate to the Texas Diaper Bank. More info here.
Donate to Portlight, a grassroots post-disaster relief organization that specifically helps people with disabilities. More info here.
Donate to the Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Cristi, Texas. More info here.
And if you're on-the-ground in Texas, volunteer your time and assistance if you can and it's safe for you to do so. The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) organization has a list of charities that may be seeking volunteers. This Relief Map may also help you locate shelter and food, if you're in need, and/or volunteer opportunities. (h/t to Twitter user @JordanUhl)
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
