Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey's record-breaking rainfall and widespread damage in South Texas was unprecedented for a storm in the US. Seventy-seven people were killed, hundreds of thousands of homes were damaged, and thousands were temporarily displaced. Harvey dumped 27 trillion gallons of rain by the time the storm dissipated. Current estimates put total losses as high as $125 billion and 33 Texas counties declared a federal disaster.

Immediately, International Relief Teams shipped 625 disaster health kits to on-site partners providing support and temporary shelter for evacuees. Next, we purchased nearly $100,000 in ready-to-eat meals (9,216 meals) and delivered them to evacuation centers in hard-hit coastal communities. In addition, we sent five semi tractor-trailers filled with more than 21,000 gallons of bleach to help clean and sanitize homes and prevent the spread of disease, illness, and mold.

Since the flood waters receded, we have been making regular deliveries of drywall, insulation, and roofing materials, and will soon begin sending skilled construction teams as part of a multi-year commitment to help those families, especially the poor, elderly and uninsured, restore their lives and their homes.

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*Aerial view of Houston. Credit: Jordan Lynn*

IRT has more than 29 years of experience in assisting victims of disasters, both nationally and internationally. During its history, IRT has delivered more than $343 million in humanitarian aid to those in desperate need. IRT provided aid following Superstorm Sandy in New Jersey from 2012-2016, following Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi from 2005-2011, and is continuing to send construction volunteer teams to Louisiana to repair homes following the 2016 floods.

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