Hurricane Harvey has been in full effect on the Texas area since Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. Many do not have access to clean water, food, and shelter.
To help combat this dire situation Houston residents have found themselves in, Sinclair Community College along with many others have set up water drop offs. These groups will be sending water to Texas for those in need who have been affected by the hurricane.
Everyone from students to professional individuals have been dropping off packs of water. U.S. Marshal security personnel were spotted contributing to the drop off.
Students and faculty have helped receive these water donations and are “touched by the out-pour of charity,” the workers at the drop off said. “The volume of cars that have been arriving has been steady and there’s such a look of accomplishment and satisfaction on people’s faces.”
The donations were taken Aug. 29 through Sept. 1 with a goal of 1 and a half semi truckloads. These can hold 1,056 cases of water each.
By the end of the drive, they received 19 truckloads of water which makes the grand total of water donated by Sinclair 20,064 cases!
Hurricane Harvey has turned roads into rivers. As well as reportedly displacing hundreds of families. It has a confirmed death toll of 38 people including a Houston police officer. There have been reports of looting from residential homes that are completely submerged under water.
The latest reports out of Crosby, a city located 30 miles northeast of downtown Houston indicate that explosions and black smoke are emanating from Arkema Chemical plant.
“A 1.5 miles radius has been established around the area and all safety measures are being taken to make sure the situation doesn’t get out of hand,” an Arkema spokesperson said.
Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, TX has established a Hurricane Harvey relief fund. The Houston food bank, Galveston County food bank and Corpus Christi food bank are all accepting donations and are trying to help where they can. The Houston Humane Society and Save the Children are also accepting donations asking people to give whatever they can.
The Clarion staff sends our hopes and thoughts to those affected by this natural disaster. We hope that it will soon end, and the rebuilding and healing of Houston can begin.
Justin A. Baker
Staff Writer