ABC News’ Victor Oquendo talks to an official from the Red Cross on how the organization is handling the influx of displaced Texas residents from Hurricane Harvey.
Victor okay I know here inside of the George. Which is now a Red Cross shelter so far they’ve taken in about 2500 people here this is the first room that they come into after they leave their homes is where they get. Dry clothes food and water many of them still sleeping in a separate area here where there pot set up finally getting some much needed rest as a right cross puts it. This is now their home. Now he also seek an a lot of people behind me. Waking up right now a lot of them getting breakfast for the first time so if you had to put it and label on this route however recreation center it’s their living room. As you can see right now it’s also their kitchen. We were here and we watched as people came in droves many of them. Coming in being unloaded off the back of city dump trucks carrying only. Taking with them only what they could carry from their homes which were completely flooded out the right process that the ready to take on as many as 5000 people. Right now they’re about halfway to capacity and they are expecting to get a lot more people with the rain still coming down and more evacuations being ordered. People showing up here what tired and hungry some in need of medical attention. Others. With pats and there’s a separate areas set up for them as well and the right process they will be here for as long as they’re needed so with that let’s now bring in Mary Jane mud. From the Red Cross break here in Houston Texas emerging tells you you’ve lived in Houston for a long time now Tulsa never seen any. Think quite like this for. For now I happened to I’ve lived here more than 25 years certainly hurricanes here and storms we’ve had some lines. With this thing is different hurricane Harvey is Tommy and it’s raining on us it’s going to Wayne gathering strength. And so a lot of us. Had just been amazed how quickly we’re losing neighborhoods and homes and so we’re so many people here are feeling the same way in fact my husband texted me last second flooded the floodwaters coming into our own house. And they’ve gone upstairs. And I’ve been a different across a disaster center where he. Incredible volunteers. So you know it’s tugging on all of our hearts and Texans are resilient. But Italian without help bridge crossing organization’s partners like city of Houston. The outpouring of support always throw in front of someone’s absolutely. Let’s talk about this specific shelves in the convention center it’s a huge area. Number one is you’re ready take on about 5000 people here. Yes we can take on 5000 in fact. Up and down but com Gulf Coast as hurricane parties and horrible every where. We did shelter 6000 people last night in many shelters this particular one we had 2500. Last night and it does take up to fight Alison. There are other shelters in the Houston area as well this part of the hurt Red Cross always there let’s talk about ways. Some of the services the ears are offering to these were people who just lost. Everything catastrophic flooding here you know the American red cross and there are now preparing response preparing responding and helping. Cover and you know we do we treat this year round he piloted flying in from around the country right cross volunteers are just so heartfelt and compassionate help. Besides the human resources which we’re grateful for we also had shelter trailers and emergency response vehicles. Rock here’s that we can deliver foods that we can provide. Medication to that we can help people find their classes that we can help people. You know find your loved ones through program policy and well. Our shelter managers are incredible they will do anything you’ll see you round the clock to make sure that somebody needed glass of water and yet it. And telling even hugs because this is displacing I went out took a walk through on the dormitory area where people are resting. And your children walking around there are people asking. Questions and there are period it looked beloved for babies and it’s hard not to just bite your lip a little bit. Anti when he seated shelter managers run up to them. And say I can get you know wheelchair I can do those things just says a lot about humanity about not just the right prosecutors about the good people. Which is so important to remember right now so many just dramatic and heartbreaking scenes watching these people I was here yesterday as they were just unloaded and you’ve got. Finley’s that Archer’s you know holding trash bags but would. And whatever valuables they could ground some are barefoot they’re still soaking wet and I even found one little girl who especially volunteer you know apology got a very quickly. But she couldn’t find her parents so what’s the process like her for those. That that is somewhat unusual because they’re very carefully read check in that we that we note any harm where they’re going. So it is unlikely that little girl is I hope she was lost too long our shelter managers are on our volunteers are on it. But. You know we’re just. This is trying time for everybody and it’s all of this together so quickly so we’re keeping an eye on safety really his keys and I hope. It wasn’t long after he started she was joined with her parents. Less than a minute somebody got to learn quickly and brought her interest to get sorted out a little question here a lot of people oil. How they can help so let’s talk about what people can do about programs. You know the American Red Cross I say we could do we do we are volunteers we also couldn’t do without donations. Honestly it’s trying to bring an operation like this together bring people in from around the country green. I’m shelter products and hygiene kits and all the things you need. We do need donations. Snow if people are willing to do so even the smallest amount matters making fifty games either go to Red Cross dot org. And make a donation online. Call 1800 Red Cross. Lore if you just donate ten dollars completely at times. How much that will help us be people with help people might do is text 90999. The work hard just part 2909998. Mary came out with the American Red Cross thank you so much to take some time to talk to us here.
