Hurricane Harvey Resources

As our neighbors in South Texas continue to experience the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, we must join together and help our fellow Texans. Our Dallas community has opened our arms and stands ready and willing to help those who have been displaced by the storm. If you would like to help the Hurricane victims by donating your time or any resources, please read below to see how you can help. I will continue to update this page with current information regarding the status of shelters across the city, updates from city officials, and other resources to help everyone who has been impacted by the Hurricane. 

How can you help? 

• The compassion of the American people is already evident in their response to the destruction the storm has caused. People can help by donating or volunteering with the voluntary or charitable organization of their choice, many of which are already in south Texas supporting survivors, even as the rain and wind continue. Visit www.nvoad.org and https://txvoad.communityos.org to learn more.

• For those who have been able to return to their homes and found damages – call your insurance company if you have coverage.  The National Flood Insurance Program is authorizing advance payments of NFIP claims to expedite recovery.
   
• Registering online, at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, is the quickest way to register for FEMA assistance since the event will last several days and the full scope of damages may not be evident until the storm has passed.
   
• To report a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-866-908-9570. Anyone who finds an unaccompanied child who may have been separated from their parents or caregivers should contact the local police, or enter basic information and/or a photo into the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's Unaccompanied Minors Registry or call 1-866-908-9570, If your missing child has a disability or access and functional need, please let the Registry know when you can contact them.

• Family and friends of those in the affected areas are urged to check social network sites like Facebook or Twitter for information about your loved ones, or use the American Red Cross’s Safe and Well program, to let family members know they are safe, or looking for loved ones.
   

Life Safety

• To find friends and family or to register yourself as safe, visit: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/

• Anyone needing help (not a life-threatening emergency): 211

• To find a shelter, visit www.Redcross.org/shelter or call 800-RED-CROSS

• To report a missing child, contact the National Emergency Child Locator Center: 866-908-9570

• To talk to a professional who can help you cope with emotional distress from the storm, call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990, visit https://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.  
   

HARRIS COUNTY specific:

• Virtual Volunteer Office: readyharris.org
• https://www.readyharris.org/News-Information/Ready-Harris-News/Post/26641

• Coast Guard Rescue Houston Area:  281-464-4851, *4852, *4853, *4584, *4855

• Towed Cars (Houston): 713-308-8580; www.findmytowedcar.com
   

General Information:

• Anyone wanting to volunteer statewide: www.NVOAD.org

• Contractors:  https://www.fema.gov/about-industry-liaison-program or Google “FEMA Industry”

• Group drivers/haulers: www.GSA.gov, 844-GSA-4111 (844-472-4111)

• FEMA Registration: 800-621-3362/TTY: 800-462-7585; www.DisasterAssistance.gov

• FEMA local hire positions are being posted in www.USAJOBS.gov under Customer Representatives

• Anyone wanting to be a FEMA reservist:  https://careers.fema.gov/reservists-program

Health Information:

• CDC Environmental Health Media Toolkit – Floods https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/toolkits/floods/default.html
   
• CDC Environmental Health Media Toolkit – Hurricanes https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/toolkits/hurricanes/
   
• NPHIC Flooding Communication Resources https://www.nphic.org/toolkits/flooding
   
• NPHIC Carbon Monoxide Communication Resources https://www.nphic.org/toolkits/carbon-monoxide

Hurricane Relief Assistance Needed for Students

***Information provided by Dallas ISD
 

As you may have heard in the news, Dallas ISD expects to see students enrolling in our schools from the Houston area. The Dallas Convention Center has been designated as the major shelter for the city. The students housed at this location will be provided transportation and enrolled in J.F. Kennedy Elementary, A.W. Spence Middle School, or North Dallas High School.

The district is now working to secure uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies for the students. If you are interested in making a donation or serving as a volunteer, please contact Usamah Rodgers, Assistant Superintendent of Strategic Initiatives and External Relations, at 972-925-5477 or email harveyvolunteers@dallasisd.org.

Anyone wishing to serve as a volunteer must also register using the Dallas ISD volunteer application. This on-line registration is available at https://dallasisd.voly.org.

If you would like to make a general monetary donation to the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, you may make a donation to the United Way of Dallas by visiting https://unitedwaydallas.org/harveyrelief/.  If you would like to serve as a volunteer at the Dallas Convention Center, visit https://www.voly.org/