Flood Victims receiving Aid

Displaced residents from Greenspoint area apartments arriving at Greenspoint Mall for temporaily shelter the day of the storm. Big trucks were used to rescue victims.

Greenspoint Apartments, Spring, West Houston most affected

HOUSTON, April 25, 2016 – Last week floods have resulted in a damage estimated to be around $5 billion.

The Harris County has submitted an initial disaster summary outline to the state. This puts the county one step closer to a federally declared disaster. This disaster summary outline formally reports the damages caused by the recent flooding in the Harris County.

“One of the most important things we can do in disaster response is to speed up the recovery process to get help to those who need it,” said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “I appreciate the hard work and quick response of our crews, and I look forward to completing the recovery process as soon as possible.”

Crews continued to work throughout Harris County, including Cypress Creek where flood waters were receding through last weekend.

To last Friday, April 22, crews have confirmed 1,731 flooded homes in unincorporated Harris County.

Some Houston areas like the community of Hockley in Cypress received 17 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. That is more rain than Salt Lake City gets in a year.

Mayor Turner creates Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund

After receiving calls from corporations and others who want to help financially, Mayor Sylvester Turner is establishing The Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund, to accept flood relief donations.

“We’ve been hearing from residents who are confused about where they should donate to get assistance directly to the residents of our city who are suffering, said Mayor Turner. “The creation of this fund will ensure the dollars donated stay in our community. The fund will focus on aiding storm victims and relief organizations in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties.”

Mayor Turner thanked Waste Management for making a $50,000 donation, the first since the fund’s creation. Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander also annouced last Thursday that he will be donate $500,000 to Mayor Turner’s Greate Houston Storm Relief Fund. The check was presented during the Rockets playoff home opener against Golden State Warriors last Thursday night.

The Greater Houston Community Foundation, a 501 (c)(3)nonprofit public charity will administer the fund. Online credit card donations will be assessed a small fee, typically 3%, by the credit card companies. Donors have the option of increasing their credit card donations to cover this fee.

To donate, go to www. houstonrecovers.org and follow the instructions.

Governor declares State Of Disaster in Texas Counties

AUSTIN, April 18, 2016 – As severe weather continued across the State of Texas, Governor declared a state of disaster in the following Texas Counties: Austin, Bastrop, Fort Bend, Colorado, Grimes, Harris, Montgomery, Waller and Wharton Counties. Additional counties may be added as the situation develops.

Houston area received over 17 inches within 24 hours and the weather reports stated that more rain was expected.

Heavy rainfall caused flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. Bush Intercontinental Airport cancel over 550 flights and METRO Houston suspended all rail and bus services.

Countless residents were displaced due to flooding caused by the heavy rains last monday morning, April 18, 2016.

Resources For Those Affected By Flooding

If you or your family have been displaced by the flooding, the American Red Cross has opened additional shelters to aid those impacted by severe rain and flooding throughout our area. Here is the full list of shelters as of last Friday:

HARRIS COUNTY:

Jersey Village Baptist Church, 16518 Jersey Drive, Jersey Village, Texas 77040

MO Campbell Education Center, 1865 Aldine Bender Rd., Houston, Texas 77032

South County Community Center, 2235 Lake Robbins Rd., Spring

Acres Home, 6719 West Montgomery Rd., Houston

MONTGOMERY COUNTY:

East Montgomery County Senior Center, 21679 McCleskey Road, New Caney

First United Methodist Church in Conroe, 4309 West Davis, Conroe

WALLER COUNTY:

Royal High School, 2550 Durkin Rd., Pattison

WHARTON COUNTY:

Wharton Jr. High School, 1120 N. Rusk Street, Wharton.

These shelters are open 24 hours a day, providing a warm, dry place to stay, food and emotional support for area residents who are not able to remain at their homes due to storms and flooding.

Public health regulations do not permit pets in shelters. Certified service animals are permitted. The Red Cross works closely with local partners to accommodate pets and animals that need shelter.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Volunteers are greatly needed to staff shelters as well as distribute food and provide other services to those in need. Training will be provided on site. Anyone interested in assisting this way is encouraged to go to redcross.org/volunteer or call 713-313-5491.

FOR HELP: Those with flood-related needs are urged to call the American Red Cross at 1-866-526-8300.

TO DONATE: Those who wish to donate to flood relief may do so at redcross.org/donate.

Also Harvest Time Church is accepting donations at its location, 17770 Imperial Valley Drive, Houston, Texas, 77060. People can donate diapers, wipes, personal hygiene products, snack foods for children, water, clothing; also welcoming caterers who want to donate hot meals for displaced residents.

A huge thanks is owed to all emergency first responders who have conducted over 1,200 high water rescues (and counting).

Tips for residents who are beginning the cleanup process:

Take photos of the damage inside your home and of all discarded items

Remove all wet items such as furniture, rugs, bedding, toys, carpeting, ceiling tiles, drywall and wood by-products. If wallboard is soaked, remove to a foot (12″) above the water mark and discard. Drain walls by removing baseboard and drilling holes near floor. Dry panel-type wall by pulling the bottom edge out from studs. Check the interior of the wall for hidden mold.

Remove all wet insulation. Discard all but rigid insulation, which can be reinstalled after disinfecting and drying.

Discard soaked or moldy carpeting. Clean all other items first with soap and warm clean water to remove dirt and debris. Next, sanitize surfaces with one cup household liquid bleach per every 5 gallons of water.

If your car was towed you can find where it was taken check out findmytowedcar.com or call 713-308-8580.

Turn off main power if wiring is wet or moldy. Have an electrician check the house’s electrical system before turning power on again.

Open the house to fresh air when the humidity is lower outside than inside.

Use fans and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture unless mold has already started to grow (fans may spread existing mold).

Flood Recovery and Assistance Information – Debris Removal

Questions about debris (trash) removal for flooded homes in unincorporated Harris County?

Residents should call the community service department in their respective Precincts:

Harris County Precinct 1:

(713) 991-6881

Harris County Precinct 2:

(713) 455-8104

Harris County Precinct 3:

(281) 463-8703

Harris County Precinct 4:

(281) 353-8424