The threat from Hurricane Harvey is far from over, as extremely dangerous flooding continues in Texas and parts of Louisiana. Getting help in some areas will be challenging for some time due to devastating floodwaters and closed roads.

This is a heartbreaking and challenging situation for those in the storm’s path, and the American Red Cross is working around the clock to provide safe shelter and comfort for the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by this disaster. More than 30 units from eastern North Carolina have been dispatched.

Highlights of the assistance effort:

• More than 1,800 people took refuge from the deadly storm Saturday night in 34 Red Cross and community shelters in Texas. Numbers are expected to grow and dozens of additional shelters could open.
• Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers from all over the country are on the ground now, working around the clock to provide safe shelter and comfort to people impacted by this devastating storm.
• The Red Cross has enough shelter supplies in Texas to support 28,000 people and supplies for an additional 22,000 people are being sent in now. In addition, tractor-trailer loads of ready-to-eat meals, comfort kits, kitchen supplies and cleaning supplies are on the ground in Texas.
• Nearly half of our Red Cross emergency response fleet (more than 150 vehicles) has been mobilized.
• The Red Cross also prepositioned blood products in Houston ahead of the storm to help ensure it can maintain an adequate blood supply. The Red Cross staged additional blood inventory in Dallas.
• More than 6 million hurricane and flood alerts have been issued through Red Cross mobile apps since Thursday. The alerts provide people with real-time information so they can help protect themselves and their loved ones.

We know Americans are generous and want to do everything they can to help after a disaster. Unfortunately, collecting and sending food, clothing and other household items often does more harm than good. Instead, the best way to support disaster victims is with a financial donation. The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately.

Help people affected by Hurricane Harvey by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation.