Harvey brought catastrophic flooding and damage to parts of Texas. Houston was especially hard hit, with rain totals estimated in excess of 50 inches. Thousands of homes have been damaged.
The devastation will leave many people in need of help rebuilding their lives, and in the meantime, many people will need help making it day-to-day.
Here are some ideas for how you can help.
Austin Disaster Relief Network
The Austin Disaster Relief Network is collecting cleaning supplies and personal items to donate to survivors. Items it needs most include
- 3M N95 - Face masks
- Chainsaws
- Baby wipes (boxes)
- Dried foods (adult and baby)
- Paper products (toilet paper and paper towels)
- Cleaning gloves
- Survivor Clean-Up Kits
For information on donations or volunteering for ADRN, go here. For drop off locations in Austin and Georgetown, go here.
Families who need support from ADRN should call 512-806-0800.
Red Cross
The Red Cross says donations are the best way to help. You can make a $10 donation by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999. You can also make a donation at redcross.org/donate. Select "Hurricane Harvey" in the "I Want to Support" pull-down menu.
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The Red Cross says it has enough volunteers for Austin-area shelters and is encouraging those looking to help to stick to monetary donations.
Save the Children
The nonprofit is taking donations to help children in need of shelter and other items. Donate online.
Habitat for Humanity
To help with the long-term recovery process, you can donate money designated for the nonprofit's “Hurricane Harvey Disaster Response.” Donate here.
United Way of Greater Houston
Donations to help with long-term recovery can be made here.
The National Voluntary Organizations Active Disaster
The association of organizations that help out during times of disaster is seeking volunteers. Register online.
National Day of Service and Remembrance
The real estate company Keller Williams is using its annual convention to collect cleaning supplies for people whose homes were flooded by Harvey. Mayor Steve Adler has asked Austinites to bring new items to Exhibit Hall 3 at the Austin Convention Center on Monday, the National Day of Service and Remembrance, through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Keller Williams agents will deliver the supplies to affected communities.
Supplies needed:
- Multipurpose cleaner
- Chlorine bleach
- Disinfectant spray
- Disinfectant wipes
- Buckets
- Plastic/latex gloves
- Leather or heavy-duty work gloves
- Heavy-duty garbage bags
- Scrub brushes
- Sponges
- N95 respirator masks and dust maskts
- Brooms
- Mops
- Dust Pans
- Paper towels
For more information, go here.
Donate Blood
Austin's blood bank, We Are Blood, has put the call out for potential donors and says it will have mobile donor drives this week.
Texas Diaper Bank
People in crisis with small children are often in dire need of supplies for their kids. The Texas Diaper Bank provides diapers provides items to meet the basic needs of children and the elderly. Donate here.
Toy Donations
Austin Police Operation Blue Santa is collecting new toys for children affected by Harvey. The organization is asking for these items:
- Toys
- Board games
- Playing cards
- Balls
- Crayons, markers and colored pencils
- Arts and crafts sets
- Coloring books
- Puzzles
Donations can be dropped off at the Blue Santa warehouse at 4101 South Industrial Drive, Suite 206, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sept. 15.
Children's Book Drive
UT Austin’s Moody College of Communication is collecting new or gently used children’s books to donate to children whose families evacuated during Hurricane Harvey. Books can be dropped into bins outside UT Austin’s Belo Media Center and the CMA communications building. Moody College students are working with the mayor’s office to distribute the books to local shelters housing evacuees.
Mothers' Milk Bank
The nonprofit needs milk donors and cash donations to help babies impacted by Harvey who cannot get breast milk from their mothers. To fill out a donor application, go here. To donate money, go here.
Austin Pets Alive
Austin Pets Alive is arranging transportation and caring for animals evacuated from areas affected by Harvey and helping to reunite pets with their families.
The organization has run out of space for in-kind donations but is accepting financial donations here. It also needs volunteers and fosters. Go to the website to sign up.
Rebuild Texas Fund
Launched by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the fund will support community partners in health and housing, schools and child care, workforce and transportation and rebuilding small businesses. The fund's goal is to raise $100 million of long-term recovery. For more information, go here.
Catholic Charities’ Disaster Relief and Recovery
Donate here to support Catholic Charities USA’s Disaster Relief and Recovery program and Mobile Response Center. They support the immediate and long-term needs of people affected by Hurricane Harvey. One hundred percent of all donations goes toward these services.
Counter Balance: ATX
The nonprofit, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for impoverished women, is accepting donations for communities affected by Harvey.
- Drop off donations at Austin area locations.
- Donate money online through the group's website.
- Buy supplies from its Amazon wish list.
- Mail supplies to: Counter Balance Disaster Relief, c/o Pasta & Co, 3502 Kerbey Lane, Austin, Texas 78731
Pajama Project
The nonprofit is accepting new pajamas for infants through 18-year-olds who have been affected by Harvey. Find out more information here.
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is asking those hoping to help Houston to give to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
Get Professional Photos Taken
Donate to the Photos for Harvey Relief campaign and a professional photographer will set up a photo shoot for you and your family in the Austin area. All proceeds go to the Red Cross. Find out more here.
Have any other tips on how to help Hurricane Harvey evacuees? Let us know by emailing news@kut.org.
Watch: NPR's Pam Fessler talks with Camila Domonoske about how to help Harvey victims.
