More Hawai‘i Red Cross Volunteers Deploy to Texas

Tropical Storm Harvey, Aug. 28, 2017, 6:45 a.m.

As of Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, a total of eight Hawaii Red Cross volunteers have either deployed or will be headed to Texas to assist with the Red Cross response to now Tropical Storm Harvey.

One Big Island Red Cross volunteer deployed to Houston to help ensure the safety and security of volunteers and assets on this relief operation.

Seven other Red Cross volunteers from Hawai‘i will deploy on Sunday or Monday: two from the Big Island to conduct damage assessment; one from the Big Island to conduct food distribution; one from Maui to do damage assessment; one from Maui to provide disaster mental health services; one from Moloka‘i to do bulk distribution; and one from O‘ahu to help with community partnerships.

More Hawai‘i volunteers are on standby to possibly deploy.

The remnants of Hurricane Harvey continue to be a threat as extremely dangerous flooding continues in Texas and parts of Louisiana.

Red Cross Response. More than 1,800 people took refuge from the deadly storm Saturday night in 34 Red Cross and community shelters in Texas. In Louisiana, one shelter is open where 8 people spent Saturday night. These numbers are expected to grow and dozens of additional shelters could open. Harvey will continue to produce large amounts of rain over the next several days. Millions of people are facing flash flood warnings, including the entire Houston metro area which is under a flash flood emergency. There are reports of people stranded in their homes and water rescues are ongoing. Roads are flooded, rail lines are shut down, airports closed and hundreds of thousands have no power. Numerous hospitals, nursing facilities and dialysis centers are closed.

The American Red Cross is working around the clock to provide safe shelter and comfort for the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by this disaster. Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers from all over the country are on the ground now, working to provide safe shelter and comfort to people impacted by this devastating storm. The Red Cross has enough shelter supplies in Texas to support 28,000 people and supplies for an additional 22,000 people are being sent in now.

In addition, tractor trailer loads of ready-to-eat meals, comfort kits, kitchen supplies and cleaning supplies are on the ground in Texas. Nearly half of our emergency response fleet—more than 150 vehicles—have been mobilized. The Red Cross also prepositioned blood products in Houston ahead of the storm to help ensure we can maintain an adequate blood supply over the weekend.

How to Help

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. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on public contributions to help others. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free. Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world. To send a contribution, mail your check to:

American Red Cross of Hawaii
4155 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816

Make a secure online donation at www.redcross.org/hawaii or call (808) 739-8109.