Social media has been a godsend during the last few days, helping family members and friends keep in touch during the ravage of Harvey.
The downside to social media, however, is the potential for rumors or misinformation to spread, however innocently, leading to confusion and chaos.
We’ve compiled a list of reliable sources for you to use when gathering information you need to make important decisions today and in the upcoming days, weeks, and months.
We will be adding to this list as we become aware of new sources you might find useful. If you have one you’d like to suggest, please email sara@houstonfamilymagazine.com
Stay safe, Houston Families!
SHELTERS:
- For a list of shelters in the City of Houston, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, Katy, Galveston County, and Harris County, visit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter
- Another site listing shelters is… https://patch.com/texas/houston/hurricane-harvey-houston-area-shelter-list-30-000-displaced-floods
EMERGENCY SERVICES:
- In a life-threating situation, Call 911
- If you can’t get through to 911 on first try, keep calling.
- For Local County Emergency Operation Center
- Brazoria Co. 978-864-1064
- Montgomery Co. 936-523-3900
- Harris Co. 713-881-3100
- Galveston Co. 281-309-5002
- Unable to Connect call #USCG
- Sector Houston Command Center numbers: 281-464-4851 | 4852 | 4853 | 4854 | 4855
- For general info, tips, and links to resources, visit https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-harvey (info, tips, and links to resources)
To help people affected by the storm, visit @nvoad’s page for a listed of trusted organizations: https://txvoad.communityos.org/cms/node/104
- To find family & friends or to register yourself as safe, visit the @americanredcross Safe & Well site: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/
- To report a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-866-908-9570
- To talk to a professional who can help you cope with emotional distress from the storm, call the @disasterdistressline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Visit the FEMA Social Hub for updates from official emergency management social media accounts.
- Download the FEMA Mobile App to receive alerts from the National Weather Service, get safety and survival tips, customize your emergency checklist, find your local shelter, and upload your disaster photos to help first responders.
FLOOD UPDATES:
- To get flooding stats and updates on reservoir pool levels, surrounding elevations, and areas of concern, visit https://www.hcfcd.org/.
- To determine your home’s elevation, visit https://whatsmyelevation.net
REQUESTING HELP:
- To check-in as someone who needs help, like transportation, food, supplies, or shelter, visit https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/hurricane-harvey-aug24-2017/home/
VOLUNTEERING:
- To check-in as safe, and find where you can help, visit https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/hurricane-harvey-aug24-2017/home/
EVACUATION ROUTES:
- To determine safe routes for evacuating to another area, visit https://drivetexas.org
SCHOOLS:
- For timely information and reports regarding districts and campuses, visit https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Other_Services/Weather_and_Disaster/Hurricane_Harvey_Resources/
OTHER:
- To view a list of grocery stores open in the Houston area, visit https://www.khou.com/news/local/list-open-grocery-stores-in-the-houston-area/468934513
- To apply for assistance online, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov
- For a promo code to use at DryBox kiosks, where Harvey victims can have their phones dried for free, visit https://www.facebook.com/DryBoxRescue/
