Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey, the largest storm to make landfall in Texas since 1961, has left widespread damage across 50 of the state’s counties. Houston and the surrounding areas received a record 51 inches of rain causing catastrophic flooding. Water rescues are ongoing as an estimated 300,000 people are in need of temporary shelter. Millions of people along the Gulf Coast have been impacted. 

Focus is turning from rescue to recovery in Texas and Louisiana. According to FEMA, 32,000 people are in shelters and 67,000 homes are underwater in Houston alone. To get people back in their homes, damage and structural soundness has to been assessed, and then the removal of water, debris,and mold has to take place. Airlink partners are among those providing volunteers for the recovery process.

Now that flood waters are receding and more roads are passable, requests to Airlink are increasing from among our 70 disaster relief and humanitarian partners who have staff and volunteers with expertise needed for recovery efforts. Airlink is collaborating with the airline community to bring significant flight resources to these efforts.

As part of its mission to mobilize the aviation community in times of disaster, Airlink is working with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines to move relief workers and volunteers free-of-charge into the heaviest impacted areas.

Partners currently being assisted, include:

• Urban search and rescue specialists Empact Northwest
• Medical assistance providers Heart to Heart International
• Volunteer coordination organization All Hands
• Medical assistance providers and drone-based SAR Global Outreach Doctors
• Donations management services from Adventist Community Services

Ways to Take Action:

• Donate cash to support Airlink's response to Hurricane Harvey and other disasters
• Donate unused airline miles to Airlink and its partners
• Follow Airlink on Facebook and Twitter and help spread word about our effort