Situation Update

Though the rain has stopped falling in Texas and Louisiana, river and bayou flooding still continues. In some communities, people are cleaning up their flooded homes. The flooding in certain areas is still expected to continue for days. Texas officials report damages from Harvey could reach as high as $180 billion, more than hurricane Katrina or Sandy. Officials estimate that as many as 135,000 homes may be impacted in Texas with more than 22,000 homes receiving major damage. Evacuation orders are still in effect. Meanwhile hospitals and schools are closed, and thousands of people are still without power. Communication systems are out and multiple water treatment plants are also shut down in Texas and Louisiana.

Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, Hurricane Irma is currently a Category Five storm with winds as high as 180 mph and people in the path of this storm should monitor weather reports and get prepared now. The storms effects are predicted to hit the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico early tomorrow.

Red Cross Response

As of yesterday, our region has deployed over 70 people in support of the hurricanes and wildfires across the country - with many more lined up to provide cover over the weeks and months ahead as needed.

The American Red Cross is getting ready to respond as powerful Hurricane Irma nears the United States and its territories, while continuing to help people impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The Red Cross has robust disaster response capabilities, which allow the organization to respond to two significant disasters like Hurricane Harvey and Irma without compromising the assistance we provide to those in need. And when we began the response to Harvey just over a week ago, we held approximately half of our sheltering resources in reserve in the event of a second disaster. In addition to ensure our readiness to respond to Irma, we stopped deploying disaster volunteers from the mid-Atlantic states and Southeast on Sunday.

In addition, as part of our normal disaster preparedness planning, we have multiple locations pre-identified in every state which we can use to shelter those who might have to evacuate their homes in the event of an Irma landfall. In our current planning, we are deploying resources now to allow us to shelter at least 120,000 evacuees by this weekend. The Red Cross also has signed agreements with dozens of organizations that have pledged to work alongside us in responding to disasters. We will be able to draw on personnel and resources to support our response.

Haiti could also be affected and the American Red Cross and Haitian Red Cross have pre-positioned disaster responders and relief items in areas that will be potentially be hit by Hurricane Irma.

In Texas and Louisiana, the we are doing everything we can to get help where it’s needed. Access to many areas remains challenging but we are expanding our reach into more communities every day. The Red Cross is working around the clock to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Monday night, more than 32,000 people sought refuge in 192 Red Cross and partner shelters across Texas. The Red Cross is also assisting the Louisiana state government with emergency shelters which hosted more than 1,000 people last night. Even now, more than 3,100 Red Cross disaster workers have helped to:

Along with our partners, serve more than 807,000 meals and snacks;
Provide care by supporting 26,000 mental health and health services contacts;
Distribute more than 36,000 relief items like diapers and comfort kits that contain deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other hygiene items for people forced from their homes; and
Activate 215 emergency response vehicles to help deliver meals and relief supplies.

Red Cross volunteers are also working tirelessly to mobilize resources for people’s urgent needs over the coming weeks:

Shelter supplies to support more than 85,000 people are on the ground
Trailers of kitchen supplies on the ground to support 16 kitchens, each able to produce 10,000 meals a day
155,000 ready-to-eat meals currently on the ground

More than 23 million hurricane and flood alerts have been issued through Red Cross mobile apps since August 23, well surpassing the 6 million issued for Superstorm Sandy. The apps provide shelter locations and real-time information so people can help protect themselves and their loved-ones.

Red Cross Recovery
Even as we continue to operate shelters, serve meals and provide critical relief supplies in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey, some people are able to return home and the Red Cross will work with individuals and families to help them recover.

The Red Cross will help residents start the recovery process by connecting them to services and resources they need. In some cases, the Red Cross may provide financial assistance.

Recovering from a disaster can be a challenging, emotionally draining and complicated process. Each community and each family will have different needs, and will require different support to meet those needs. Red Cross caseworkers connect one-on-one with people to create recovery plans, navigate paperwork and locate help from other agencies.

The Red Cross also works with government and nonprofit partners to help develop coordinated community recovery plans and strategies. In some situations, the Red Cross may give grants to partner organizations for specialized activities such as mold remediation or building storm shelters. Our recovery support could also include preparedness activities so people and communities are ready for the next emergency.

Safety Update
Be safe. Listen to the advice of emergency officials. If you need to be rescued, call trained rescue professionals at 9-1-1 or the U.S. Coast Guard at these numbers: 281-464-4851, 281-464-4852, 281-464-4853, 281-464-4854, 281-464-4855. If you must drive and encounter a flooded roadway while driving, turn around and go another way.

Shelters: You can find shelters by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767), visiting redcross.org or by downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App. The Emergency App is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Returning home: Don’t return home until local authorities have deemed it safe to do so. Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. See list of more safety tips.

· Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater. If you have children, leave them with a relative or friend while you conduct your first inspection of your home after the disaster. The site may be unsafe for children, and seeing the damage firsthand may upset them even more and cause long-term effects, including nightmares.
· If power lines are down, do not step in puddles or standing water.
· Do not cut or walk past colored tape that was placed over doors or windows to mark damaged areas unless you have been told that it is safe to do so. If a building inspector has placed a color-coded sign on the home, do not enter it until you get more information, advice and instructions from your local authorities.
· Beware of snakes, insects and other animals that may be in or around your home. As you inspect your home, tap loudly and often on the floor with a stick to give notice that you are there.
· Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.