In good times and bad, United Way is here

When our community faces disaster, United Way of Greater Houston is here to help our neighbors recover and rebuild.

In times of disaster, United Way of Greater Houston is here to provide critical information and resources, to invest in immediate relief, and to lead long-term recovery efforts.

 

Before, during, and after disasters our 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is our community’s go-to for information and resources.

  • Recent Disaster Recovery Efforts

    Learn more about the Houston Harris County Winter Storm Relief Fund and its impact.

    Learn more about the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund and its impact.

  • Greater Houston Disaster Alliance

    United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation launched the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance to lead our community’s philanthropic disaster response, strengthen year-round disaster preparedness, and ensure that our region has the social services network and systems in place to respond rapidly, equitably, and effectively in times of disaster.

    Learn more at disasteralliance.org.

    The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance is grateful for the partnership and support of our lead funders, Enbridge and Phillips 66.

  • Long-Term Recovery Committees

    Year-round, United Way leads and convenes four Long-Term Recovery Committees representing each county in our service area: Fort Bend Recovers, Harris County Long-Term Recovery Committee, MC Cares, and Waller County Recovery Committee. These committees meet on an ongoing basis to ensure disaster preparedness and operational readiness to respond to local disasters in our community. They comprise nonprofit, faith-based, and governmental organizations that work on developing a collective response to meet the needs of our community.

Disaster Preparedness

The best defense against a disaster is preparation.
  • Resources to Know

    Find information and tips about how to prepare for a disaster, plan templates, and more at these sites.

    TranStar’s Roadway Flood Warning System
    KHOU Severe Weather Guide
    Department of Homeland Security – Ready: Ready.gov or Listo.gov
    Sign up for alerts: Harris County / Fort Bend County / Montgomery County / Waller County
    Ready Harris
    Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool
    Harris County Flood Warning System
    Houston TransStar
    Ready Houston
    Lone Star Legal Aid resources related to flood risk, insurance, home repair, renter’s rights, and more in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese

  • Make a Plan. Build a Kit. Stay Informed.

    Make a plan. Your family is unique. As you make your disaster plan, be sure to consider all types of disasters and everyone’s needs. To start putting together a disaster plan, you should identify how you will get in to contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Use this guide to get started.

    Build a kit. Print a copy of this list (EnglishSpanish) and put together a kit of emergency essentials like:

    • Food that will not spoil and requires no cooking
    • Five to seven day supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
    • First-aid kit and medications: pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, laxative, activated charcoal (for poison), other necessary medications prescribed by your physician.
    • Emergency tools, such as a battery-powered radio, cell phone, flashlight, batteries
    • Personal items like toilet paper and plastic garbage bags
    • Change of clothing and blankets for each person

    Collect and share info. Print, fill out, and include this list of important numbers and family contacts in your disaster kit. Make a copy for everyone in your family.

  • Protect your Important Documents

    Place your important documents in a safety deposit box or waterproof container so that they are not damaged in the event of flooding or water leak. Examples of important documents that should be protected are: birth certificates, passports, citizenship documentation, marriage certificates, social security cards, deed to your home, insurance documents, vehicle titles, etc.

  • Prepare your Home

    Ensuring your home can weather an emergency can help ease the damage the disaster might cause. There are a few simple things you can do to help better protect your home: clean out gutters regularly, trim trees and remove any dead or down branches from the property, make sure that your roof is properly secured and there are no leaks, and ensure that all doors and windows are properly sealed.

  • Flood Insurance

    Homeowners should consider protecting their home by purchasing flood insurance. On average, the annual premium for flood insurance on a single family, one story home is $400 – $450. Depending on various factors, a homeowner could pay upwards of $2,500 annually if they reside in a flood plain. To get more information on what flood insurance covers and how to purchase flood insurance, go to floodsmart.gov.

  • Evacuation Assistance

    People who may need extra assistance in a disaster should register with State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) by visiting https://stear.tdem.texas.gov/ or dialing 211. STEAR may be used by those who require transportation assistance in an evacuation, as well as by individuals who may require other assistance during a disaster.

Meet some of the people your support has helped:

The Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund helped homebound seniors John and his wife with home-delivered meals, food, and other assistance during the pandemic.

Linda had been a United Way donor for many years but never thought that she would need United Way’s help herself. 

COVID-19 took a lot from Susan and Jack. The Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund was here to help.

The February 2021 winter storm damaged Angela and Craig's home--and their progress.

Can we help you?

Find Resources

Want to help out a neighbor?

Give Now

Need Help?

Just dial 211 for free and confidential help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in many languages.