ETSU Response
East Tennessee State University has activated its ETSU Response website to provide information on how to support those affected by Hurricane Harvey, a devastating Category 4 storm that made landfall with 130 mph sustained winds on the coast of Texas, near Rockport, on Friday, August 25, 2017. Though the storm has now been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, it has spawned historic rainfalls in the region, which are expected to total more than 50 inches (4 feet) over a nine-day period through September 1. This rain is causing catastrophic flooding impacting approximately 6.8 million people.
The numbers are staggering, tens of thousands were forced to flee their homes; there have been 6 confirmed deaths; 1,200 people have had to be rescued; 316,000 homes and businesses are without power; 250 major roads and highways have been closed; and 13 million citizens are under flood watches from Texas to Louisiana. FEMA reports over 30,000 victims are in need of emergency shelter and predicts that over 450,000 people will ultimately file for federal relief.
This website provides links to several national and regional organizations providing aid to storm and flooding victims. Links are also provided to counseling services for any ETSU student or employee who may have been impacted by this disaster.
The ETSU Response website has been used several times in the past to give individuals a way to provide assistance for victims of disasters both near and far, including the 2011 tornadoes in Greene County, the 2010 Millercrest Apartments fire in Johnson City, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the 2011 tsunami in Japan, and the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.
For more information, call the ETSU office of Student Affairs at 423-439-4210.
Donation Sites:
Donations to help storm victims are being coordinated through the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) website.
The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund has been established by Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, through the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
JJ Watt of the Houston Texans has set up an online fundraiser, Houston Flood Relief Fund, through the YouCaring crowdfunding site.
You can also donate directly to the American Red Cross, which is currently providing over 130,000 meals each day to storm victims, by phone or online. Text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Feeding America is coordinating food distribution efforts in Texas: https://www.feedingtexas.org/
On Campus Assistance and Efforts:
The ETSU community should be aware of support services for those students, faculty, and staff who may have been affected by this ongoing disaster.
The ETSU Counseling Center provides personal counseling for students, as well as outreach and referrals. Students may access the ETSU Counseling Center at (423) 439-3333. The Counseling Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Bucs Press 2 service is available 24/7 by dialing (423) 439-4841 and pressing 2 for a counselor.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a resource for faculty and staff members who need counseling support and referral to other resources.
Student Organization Efforts
Community Service Programs, housed within the Student Organization Resource Center ( SORC), is serving as a clearinghouse for student response efforts. For more information, you may contact serve@etsu.edu