Houston, TX, August 29, 2017 — The American Red Cross continue to provide shelter and comfort to thousands of people forced from their homes by the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Harvey. If someone needs to find a shelter, they can call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767), visit redcross.org, or download 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. They can also check with their local officials or monitor local media for information on where to find a shelter. Throughout the night, emergency responders continued to bring rescued families to shelters and evacuees streamed in. Preliminary estimates indicate that at least 17,000 people sought refuge in more than 45 shelters across Texas Monday night. This includes at least 8,000 evacuees at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
This is a very active situation in Houston and across the gulf coast region. The Red Cross is actively working to relocate many of those affected to other shelter locations. Our goal is to insure that everyone has a safe place to stay; no one will be turned away.
Water rescues are ongoing and evacuation orders are in still effect throughout the region. Numerous hospitals and nursing facilities are evacuating patients and residents. All public transportation is at a halt. Schools and airports are closed and hundreds of thousands of people are still without power. The Red Cross Safe and Well website is another tool that the community can use to connect with loved ones. The Safe and Well website facilitates communication from inside the disaster-affected area to outside the affected area, helping people notify loved ones of their well-being, as well as reuniting separated family members within the disaster area. This is a free and publicly accessible tool, available 24/7/365. There is no activation required. Registrants also have the option of updating their Facebook and Twitter feeds. Paper registration forms are also available for collecting registration information and transporting to an area with connectivity for website entry. Access is available in English and Spanish.
RED CROSS RESPONSE
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The Red Cross has launched a massive relief response to this devastating storm and needs financial donations to be able to provide immediate disaster relief. Help people affected by Hurricane Harvey by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
HURRICANE SAFETY STEPS
People should listen to the advice of emergency officials. If they need to be rescued, they can 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 someone needs to find a shelter, they can call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767), visit redcross.org, or download 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. They can also check with their local officials or monitor local media for information on where to find a shelter.
People should also follow these safety steps:
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization thatdepends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.