To help transit systems in need, check for transit requests at https://www.swta.org/news_events/details/hurricane-harvey-needs, a joint project of Texas Transit Association (TTA) and South West Transit Association (SWTA).
With 130-mph winds as a Category 4 hurricane when it hit coastal towns of Texas late Friday, Harvey has unleashed catastrophic flooding in southeast Texas and paralyzed Houston, the fourth-largest city in the United States.
Houston’s downtown convention center, the George R. Brown Convention Center, was opened as a shelter, with residents coming by foot, by Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Metro) bus and by city dump trucks.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said 3,000 National and Texas State Guard troops have been activated to assist in relief efforts. There are a total of 54 counties on the Governor’s State Disaster Declaration.
Dallas is preparing to house up to 5,000 Gulf Coast residents in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. There are currently about 500 evacuees in other Dallas-area shelters.
As a preventative measure, Metro lined up 120 of its buses from the Kashmere facility, which is in a low-lying area, in the center lanes of Interstate 59 in the high-occupancy vehicle lane. The empty buses stretched for about a mile.
Houston Metro and Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority have suspended service until further notice.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, many transportation providers have been engaged in evacuation efforts, particularly specialized transportation, such as elderly, disabled and medical.
As of 8/31:
Houston Metro resumes service with limited routes: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXMETRO/bulletins/1b4140c
Corpus Christi RTA resumes full service until 8:00 p.m.
Brazos Transit District resumed full service 8/28.
Fort Bend County Public Transportation suspended all services for Monday, August 28 through Friday, September 1, 2017.
Coverage From Around the Web
The Washington Post - Transportation remains at a standstill following Hurricane Harvey
CNN - 'Whole city' now underwater as Harvey makes another landfall in US
NBC News - Harvey Makes Landfall Again, Lashes Louisiana and Texas
CBS News - Houston "Not Out of the Woods Yet" as Harvey flooding Persists – live updates
Houston Chronicle - Ahead of Hurricane Harvey, Houston Metro Lines Up 120 Empty Buses in Hwy. 59 Express Lane
USA Today - Tropical Storm Harvey
Hill Country News - Austin Area Remains in Flash Flood Warning as Harvey Stalls
Bloomberg - Harvey Pounds Texas as Epic Flooding Paralyzes Houston
Bloomberg - Houston Opens Convention Center to Flood Victims as Waters Rise
American-Statesman - Shelters Open as City Braces for More Rain and Pain
Aid for the Region
Check for Texas transit requests athttps://www.swta.org/news_events/details/hurricane-harvey-needs, a joint project of Texas Transit Association (TTA) and South West Transit Association (SWTA). "Our landing page will provide direct requests for equipment, personnel, tangible personal items and prayers along with ways to give."
The Federal Transit Administration is monitoring the storm and engaged with transit staff on the ground. The FTA is ready to assist and has additional information on the Emergency Relief Program at:
https://cms.fta.dot.gov/about/news/fta-hurricane-harvey-information
FEMA Administrator Brock Long encouraged people wanting to help to connect with the National Voluntary organizations Active in Disaster.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
Houston Texans star JJ Watt set up an online fundraiser, the Houston Flood Relief Fund on YouCaring.
GoFundMe has set up a web page for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army are accepting donations.
