After Hurricane Harvey: How to Help & Get Help After the Storm

8/30/17 - By Carrie Taylor

You don't need us to tell you Hurricane Harvey has devastated Houston. The Bayou City has quickly become just that—a submerged metropolis where people have been pushed from their homes, from hospitals, and from entire communities. While this historic storm has wrecked our home, good Samaritans have emerged from all corners of the Greater Houston area to help those in need.

Here are some ways anyone can help families and individuals affected by the storm, as well as ways for locals to search for help. Send us a note at houstoneditor@mommypoppins.com if you have any resources we do not have listed, and we can add them here. Stay safe, Houston. Together, we will pull through. #HoustonStrong

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How to help: Monetary Donations

Make monetary donations to the following organizations:

How to help: Goods Donations

The George R Brown Convention Center, Toyota Center, NRG Center and BBVA Compass Stadium (the preferred drop off site) are taking all kinds of donations, from kids clothes, baby formula, and diapers, blankets, pillows, socks, adult clothes, and toiletries. They ask that you separate items in bags and mark them clearly, such as "socks, small women shirts, XL male pants, etc." Some of the items requested for donation include:

  • Wheelchairs
  • Non-perishable food
  • Bottled water
  • Baby formula and diapers
  • Comfort kits -- (soap, shampoo, toothpaste)
  • Pillows and blankets
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Sweatsuits
  • Towels
  • L/XL clothing
  • Socks

Also, check with your local churches or the list of local shelters from ABC 13 and Click2Houston. Call before purchasing items or before showing up; each shelter's needs change throughout the day, and while they may have no more capacity for larger donations, they may need items like toys for children (to keep them occupied), hygiene items for women, etc.

It may not be the first thing that you think about when gathering donations, but people need clean underwear, too. Undies for Everyone accepts donations and distributes to those in need.

How to help: Volunteers needed 

Volunteer with the Red Cross at the George R Brown Convention Center, NRG Center and Toyota Center, but first go here to register. 

Getting Help: Local Houston Shelters

If you have lost your home and are looking for a nearby shelter, ABC 13 and Click2Houston have a very extensive list of shelters and it is being updated daily, including whether they also accept fur babies (pets).

The four major shelters are:

If you have been directly affected by Hurricane Harvey, call 2-1-1 or visit 211.org for information on emergency shelters, food, and water. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints along with numerous others have a hotline available to submit work orders for specific need requests related to the damages and for cleanup efforts. These services include removing carpet, cutting down tree limbs, etc and are free of charge. By calling the hotline number (800-451-1954 or 844-965-1386), a volunteer will take down your information and then try to send a volunteer crew out to help.

Getting Help: Emergency contacts

To report a missing child, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-866-908-9570. For those looking for refuge, Texas State Park camping is free to hurricane evacuees.

Coast Guard: Urban Search and Rescue
281-464-4851
281-464-4852
281-464-4853
281-464-4854
281-464-4855

Local police, firefighters, ambulance
911 or 713-884-3131

City of Houston (Emergencies)
311 or 713-837-0311

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
1-800-525-0321

Harris County
On the county's website, there are resources for reporting flooding, requesting relief, following the latest news and orders from law enforcement, and checking the status of roads and schools.
713-755-5000
Harris County Office of Emergency Management
713-881-3100

Houston American Red Cross
713-526-8300
866-526-8300

Houston TranStar (Transportation and Emergency Services)
Check the latest road closures or flooding status of the city's major roadways.
713-881-3244

Houston Midwives for Pregnant Mamas
These women are on-call to help any pregnant woman who is in labor and stranded.

Getting Help: School info

The Houston Chronicle has an extensive and updated list of Houston-area district closures

Photo courtesy of Cici Loo Photography