The president heads to Texas on Tuesday to survey the damage from Hurricane Harvey. It will be a test of his young presidency to show empathy and competence in responding to a historic storm.
"We did all that we could, but it would never have been enough," Kristin Massey wrote on Tuesday. She added, "I encourage everyone to continue to give manpower wherever they can."
Houston remains in rescue mode as Tropical Storm Harvey continues to dump water on the flooded region. About 5,500 people have been brought to emergency shelters in the city, the mayor said Monday.
Facebook and Twitter became de facto centers for thousands of stranded people as 911 centers became overwhelmed with calls. Police and officials are using social media as an essential tool to connect.
Hurricane Harvey has inflicted much human misery since Friday, and now its aftermath is causing economic harm. Experts say the flooding may end up damaging oil refineries and boosting gas prices.
When a disaster strikes, people everywhere often are inspired to spring into action. But donating good or services rarely is a good idea, experts say, and even cash donations could be better targeted.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency expects 450,000 people to seek help — including over 30,000 needing shelter. But as floodwaters rise, those aren't the only numbers defining the rescue efforts.
Texas public health officials are looking ahead to meeting health needs in the days and weeks ahead, including getting prescriptions to people displaced to shelters.
As the storm continues to dump rain on the Gulf Coast and floodwaters rise, many organizations are doing vital work to help save lives and give comfort. Here's how you can support those efforts.