There’s no denying that reporters have a hard job. I’m certain many of them would rather be at home with their families instead of being out in dangerous conditions trying to get information out to people like us. Still, sometimes, their quest for a “good story” can come at a cost.
Currently, people in Houston, TX and surrounding areas are battling Hurricane Harvey. According to wikipedia:
Hurricane Harvey is an active tropical cyclone that is causing unprecedented and catastrophic flooding in southeastern Texas. It is the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Wilma in 2005, ending a record 12-year period with no major hurricanes making landfall in the United States. Harvey is also the first hurricane to hit the state of Texas since Ike in 2008, and the strongest to hit the state since Carla in 1961. In addition, it is the strongest hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and the strongest to make landfall in the United States since Hurricane Charley in 2004.
Harvey has caused at least 16 confirmed deaths; 1 in Guyana, and 15 in the United States. Catastrophic inland flooding is ongoing in the Greater Houston area. FEMA director Brock Long called Harvey the worst disaster in Texas history, and expected the recovery to take many years.[2] Preliminary estimates of economic losses range anywhere from $10 billion to $40 billion, with some predictions up to $60 billion.[3][4][5][6]
Despite everything we know about Hurricane Harvey, one reporter thought it wise to approach a victim, who had just saved herself and her child from the extreme flooding. Watch what happened here:
I know the reporter was just doing her job, and folks like us do need to know what’s going on so we can help, but I can totally understand this mom feels. Don’t you?
That’s why it’s important that we all take some actionable steps to help hurricane Harvey victims. Now, before you actually donate to any charity do your research. We all saw what happened after billions were donated to Haiti. That being said use Charity Navigator to determine which charities are the safest.
Here is a list of disaster releif agencies/organizations as provided by NPR
General Relief
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner established a Harvey relief fund at The Greater Houston Community Foundation.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Send Relief and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
Shelter
Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County It has been providing updated information on shelters with available beds.
Airbnb has set up an urgent accommodations site, where people can open their homes to evacuees from the storm or find shelter themselves. Service fees are waived for those who check in by Sept. 1.
Food
Here is its list of food banks in Texas likely to be affected by Harvey:
Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (Victoria)
Southeast Texas Food Bank (Beaumont)
Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley (Pharr)
Brazos Valley Food Bank (Bryan)
Central Texas Food Bank (Austin)
People With Disabilities
Portlight Strategies facilitates projects involving people with disabilities, including post-disaster relief work.
Kids
Animals
My prayers are with all victims and their families.
Hey, Boo! My name is Lisa and you’ve stumbled upon my own little corner of the world. I’m a 30 something-year-old writer/mother/wife who happens to love lipstick, high heels, blackness, and the truth. You’ll find a mix of everything on this site, so I won’t bore you by trying to define this space. I hope you stay awhile!
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