How You Can Help the Victims of Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey swept through coastal Texas leaving billions of dollars of destruction in its wake. Tens of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes for the safety of shelters, and now, in the aftermath of the storm, these families are left to pick up the pieces and look toward the future – a future that is bleak for many families who lost their homes, pets, belongings, and loved ones.

At Daic Law, we are passionate about volunteering and supporting our community. Read on to learn more about the impact of Hurricane Harvey, as well as some ways you can help the victims.

Hurricane Harvey by the Numbers

Hurricane Harvey was historic in many ways. Here are some of the most significant statistics:

• Hurricane Harvey’s price tag is estimated to be around $190 billion. To put that in perspective, Hurricane Katrina caused $125 billion.

• Harvey dumped 51.9 inches of rain in Texas, which is less than an inch shy of the all-time record.

• Rainfall across Southeast Texas combined totaled around 19 trillion gallons of water. That’s enough water to fill a 2.6-mile square.

• Harvey was a category 4 hurricane when it made landfall in Texas, with winds estimated at 132 miles-per-hour. It was the first storm in 56 years to make landfall in Texas as stronger than a category 3.

• Flooding caused by Harvey extended from Lake Charles, Louisiana all the way to Victoria, Texas.

These statistics show only a fragment of the devastation caused by Harvey. Texas residents suffered extreme damage and loss that cannot be quantified so easily.

Helping Victims of Hurricane Harvey

Here are some of the best, most active volunteer opportunities to help Texan’s recover from Hurricane Harvey:

Basic Needs

• United Way of Greater Houston: The United Way of Greater Houston has established a Relief Fund to help the victims of Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Waller Counties. All donations go directly to storm relief efforts. The United Way also accepts in-kind donations, and has set up wish lists for ease of donating what is really needed. The wish lists include:

Project Undercover: Socks and underwear only
Project Pantry: Non-perishable food items (canned goods)
Project Home: Household items (towels, linens, etc.)
Project Care: Toiletries, first-aid supplies, and feminine products
Project Kids: Formula, diapers, toys, baby products
Project Clean-Up: Cleaning supplies (cleaners, trash bags, flashlights, gloves, buckets, insect repellent, etc.)

• The Greater Houston Community Foundation: The Greater Houston Community Foundation is accepting donations, and is working with donors and the victims of Harvey to connect them to the help they need.

• CrowdFunding: GlobalGiving and GoFundMe both have active relief funds where donors can contribute to Harvey cleanup and restoration efforts. So far, GoFundMe has raised $382,000.

• Samaritan’s Purse and Salvation Army: Both organizations are accepting volunteers to help with cleanup and response efforts. The Salvation Army has been providing food and water to emergency service and first responders, and is preparing feeding efforts for residents. Samaritan’s Purse is assembling volunteers to help with cleanup efforts.

Medical Care

If you want to help with medical care for victims of Harvey, you can contact these organizations to find out more about volunteering or donating:

• Direct Relief: Providing emergency health kits (and donations) to community health centers across areas affected by Harvey. Kits include asthma inhalers, insulin, and anti-hypertensive medications.

• American Red Cross: Accepting blood donations.

• American Kidney Fund: Established disaster relief fund to help dialysis patients who were affected by Harvey.

• Houston Pets Alive: Assembling volunteers, and accepting donations, to rescue, transport, and get medical care for pets affected by Harvey.

Special Assistance

Many organizations are working hard to help victims of Harvey who are elderly, disabled, or children. To donate or volunteer in these categories, contact:

• Portlight Strategies: Managing projects to aid Texans with disabilities. Portlight has a hotline available for people in need of immediate assistance.

• AARP Foundation: Established Harvey Relief Fund aimed at helping victims who are 50 or older. The AARP Foundation will match all contributions up to $1.5 million.

• Save The Children: Collecting and donating children’s supplies to families who are currently in shelters, or who are in need of supplies.

• The Texas Diaper Bank: Provides partner agencies to collect and distribute diapers and baby products to victims who are vulnerable – babies, children with disabilities, and elderly.

Get Legal Guidance

If you and your family have been devastated by Hurricane Harvey, you may also find it helpful to contact an attorney for legal guidance. Insurance claims, appeals, working with disaster relief efforts, and sorting through the myriad complications that follow a natural disaster can be overwhelming. At Daic Law, we provide compassionate legal guidance that preserves your rights and protects your outlook for the future.

Contact Daic Law today by calling (713) 808-5246, or by sending us an email at info@daiclaw.com.