The Forgotten Storm: Providing Texans Disaster Relief From Tropical Depression Imelda
Last Updated: 25 Jan 2021
Disaster Relief & Emergency Services
There’s another storm that sometimes gets forgotten in the seemingly never-ending barrage of Gulf Coast natural disasters… Imelda.
We often talk about the devastating impact Hurricane Harvey had on Texas in 2017. Even three years later, certain areas of the state are still recovering from the historic storm’s ravaging winds and storm surges. Endeavors has been fortunate to provide disaster relief to thousands of individuals and families during their Harvey recovery process. Still, there’s another storm that sometimes gets forgotten in the seemingly never-ending barrage of Gulf Coast natural disasters…
…Tropical Depression Imelda.
Texans In Crisis
Imelda struck the Gulf Coast in September of 2019, roughly two years after Harvey. Though categorically a tropical depression, Imelda nonetheless made good on her promise to severely damage Houston, Beaumont, and the surrounding areas of Coastal Texas. Imelda devastated the region. The storm dumped over 40 inches of rain, flooded hundreds of homes, and leftover 1,000 people stranded in the floodwaters. Hospitals were forced to evacuate, and areas that had been impacted by Harvey just two years earlier once again became cut off by flooding and road closures. Imelda remained largely uncovered by media outlets but affected approximately 6.6 million Texans and left an estimated $1 billion in damages behind in her wake.
While continuing to provide disaster relief to Texans after Harvey, our Disaster Case Managers (DCMs) were able to begin the process of assisting communities affected by Imelda. To get the ball rolling, we teamed up with Orange County Disaster Rebuild Team, Baytown Area & Chambers County Disaster Recovery (BACC-DR), Harris County Long-Term Recovery Committee, Jefferson County Long-Term Recovery, Liberty County Long-Term Recovery Team, and Montgomery County Community Assistance Recovery Efforts (MCCARES), all of which provide local recovery initiatives to help households stabilize and recover after disaster strikes.
Today, we have thirty Disaster Case Managers providing disaster relief to Chambers, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, and San Jacinto counties- all of which were affected by Imelda.
A Nonprofit Ready To Help
Disaster recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Storms like Imelda affect everyone differently. While one family may lose their roof to the wind and the rain, their neighbor might suffer unemployment if the storm cripples their place of work….two completely different issues that require customized disaster recovery plans.
Currently, our DCMs are aiding over 200 clients in their Tropical Depression Imelda recovery. Initially, they complete a variety of tasks including, but not limited, to assessments, supportive services, information and referrals, financial assistance, advocacy, and the development of long-term disaster recovery plans to meet each client’s specific needs.
At Endeavors, Disaster Relief and Recovery is more than securing funds for survivors. As a national nonprofit based in Texas, we team up with local and national vendors, donors, and partner organizations to oversee the entire disaster recovery process from funding to repairs.
If a survivor’s roof has been damaged, we secure funding, assist with selecting reliable contractors, and advocate for them throughout the entire repair process.
If a family’s appliances have been damaged by flooding, our team can collaborate with partners to have new appliances delivered and installed in their home.
If a low-income senior watched Imelda wash their furniture away, we’ll coordinate the delivery of new furnishings and ensure their kitchen cabinets are stocked with essentials, too.
If a household has been denied FEMA assistance, our disaster relief experts help them navigate the appeals process step-by-step to get them the government assistance they need.
It’s all about determining your specific needs and developing a detailed and timely plan to meet them. And we’re with you every step of the way.
Why?
Because we believe in helping people in crisis restore their homes, their lives, and their dignity. The people we serve are the very best examples of strength, resilience, and hope. And we are honored to be helping our Texas neighbors recover from the storm.
Impacted By Tropical Depression Imelda?
If you have been impacted by Tropical Depression Imelda and need disaster recovery assistance, contact our Texas offices by phone (832-680-1755) or email ([email protected]). While our team is currently working remotely due to the COVID19 pandemic, we continue to provide our full range of services, and our DCMs are standing by to assist survivors. We would be more than happy to assist you through our Disaster Relief and Recovery or referral services.
About Endeavors
Endeavors is a longstanding national non-profit that provides an array of programs and services in support of children, families, Veterans, natural disaster victims, and those struggling with mental illness and other disabilities. Endeavors serves vulnerable people in crisis through innovative personalized services and Emergency Services/Disaster Response. For more information on our Disaster Relief and Recovery services, please visit www.endeavors.org.