2024 Hurricane Season – Recovery Resource Guide

Preparation for hurricane season is crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of employees, students and their families, as well as the continuity of business operations.

Hurricanes can cause extensive damage, disrupt utilities, and pose significant health and safety risks. By taking proactive steps to prepare, employees can mitigate the impact of these natural disasters. Having a well-defined emergency plan, knowing evacuation routes, and assembling necessary supplies can make a substantial difference in the outcome of a hurricane event. Furthermore, preparedness enhances the ability of the workplace to recover quickly, minimizing downtime and financial losses. Ultimately, thorough preparation fosters a culture of resilience and readiness, empowering everyone to respond effectively in the face of a hurricane.

*Please note that the resources listed on this website are intended to assist with hurricane recovery efforts. Due to the fluid nature of the situation, we advise individuals to verify the availability and accuracy of these resources independently for the most current information.

Further information on hurricane preparedness can be found at the following links:

National & State Resources
Disaster Assistance
Food Assistance
Shelters & Housing
Cooling Centers
O2 Recharging Stations
Transportation
Mental Health Services

National and State Resources

Ready.Gov
A national public service campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare, respond and mitigate emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. For preparedness resources and information on staying safe during and after a hurricane or tropical storm.
FEMA
For FEMA assistance visit DisasterAssistance.org or call 1-800-621-3362. If the power stays out and you lose all of your food file a FEMA claim for $750. You must say or use these exact words “I have a serious food need for FEMA food allowance.”
United Way
Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC)

Disaster Assistance

Click each card for additional details

American Red Cross
If you have lost your home in Hurricane Beryl, call the American Red Cross at 1 (800) 733-2767.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Unemployment benefits for individuals who lost their jobs or self-employment or who are no longer working as a direct result of a major disaster for which a disaster assistance period is declared, and who applied but are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.
Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
The H-GAC Disaster Recovery Resources and Funding page is designed to provide a comprehensive list of resources tailored to emergency and disaster recoveries.

Food Assistance

WIC - Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

The WIC program, administered by HHSC, is replacing food and formula benefits lost during Hurricane Beryl through July 31, 2024. Families can visit TexasWIC.org or call 800-942-3678 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and select Option 3 to speak with an operator who will help find an open WIC location. WIC participants will need to go to the WIC office in order to replace food benefits. WIC also offers 24/7 breastfeeding assistance through its lactation support hotline: (855) 550-6667.
SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

To replace food lost or destroyed by the storms that began July 8, SNAP recipients must apply for replacement benefits that will be placed on their Lone Star Cards within two business days once benefits are approved. Must apply for replacement benefits by August 8.  

Recipients can also download Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits). Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027, or faxed to 877-447-2839.

Any Texan in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, can apply at YourTexasBenefits.com
Counties Affected by Hurricane Beryl

Affected counties as of 7/11/24: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Bell, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Brooks, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Camp, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Colorado, Comal, Dallas, Delta, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Frio, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kaufman, Kenedy, Kinney, Kleberg, Lamar, LaSalle, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Live Oak, Madison, Marion, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Milam, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Refugio, Robertson, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Shelby, Smith, Starr, Titus, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Uvalde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Wood, Zapata and Zavala

Recipients who live in counties other than those listed above can apply for replacement benefits in person within 10 days of discovering their food was lost or destroyed due to the recent storms. Individuals in those counties must go to a local Your Texas Benefits office to request replacement food benefits.

Additional Food Assistance

 Galveston

 HoustonClick each card for details

Houston Food Bank
The Houston Food Bank has partners in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Montgomery, Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Chambers, Grimes, Liberty, Madison, Robertson, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, Waller, and Washington counties.
Harris County Precinct 2
Harris County Precinct 2 separately announced three food distribution events beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 7/09/2024.
Drive Through Distribution Locations
1-5 p.m. Wednesday, July 10.

Shelters & Housing

Shelters

If you do not see your area listed, please visit www.211texas.org and search under “Extreme Heat Cooling Centers” to find community cooling options near you.

Public shelters provide temporary housing for evacuees. Most shelters do not have beds or cots, prepare to sleep on the floor. A good rule of thumb is to pack as if you were going camping:

  • Sleeping pads or air mattresses
  • Blankets or a sleeping bag for each person
  • Robe & shower shoes
  • Books, cards, games, and QUIET toys for children
  • Note that alcoholic beverages, weapons, and drugs are not allowed in public shelters.
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  • Galveston Shelters

  • Houston Shelters
    • Gallery Furniture: 6006 North Fwy. Houston, TX 77076 
    • Fort Bend Co. – Fort Bend County Fairgrounds Building C: 4310 Highway 36 South Rosenberg, TX 77471 
    • Montgomery Co. – Salvation Army Center of Hope: 301 Avenue E. Conroe, TX 77301 Open through Wednesday at 7 a.m. 
    • Champion Forest Baptist Church: 16518 Jersey Dr. Houston, TX. 77040. Overnight Shelter, 24-hour operations. Run by Red Cross Houston.

  • Brazoria County Shelters
    • Angleton Rec Center: 1601 N Valderas St, Angleton, TX 77515. (979) 900-5370. Overnight shelter with cooling station, O2 charging. Run by Red Cross.
    • Bridge City Church: 1280 Hospital Dr, Angleton, TX 77515. (979) 900-5370 or (979) 849-7361. Overnight Shelter, O2 charging, Run by Red Cross, Medical focus (not a medical shelter), Bariatric care.
    • Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Saint John: 310 N McKinney St, Sweeny, TX 77480. (979) 548-2020 ext. 6. Overnight shelter, people need to bring their own beds. Providing a place to sleep.

Housing: Hotels/Vacation Rentals

Hilton Garden Inn Houston/Clear Lake NASA
  • 15% UTMB discount (will have rooms for Sunday for sure, waiting on discount codes)
  • 750 W Texas Ave, Webster, TX 77598
  • (281) 332-6284
The Whitehall
  • Next 60 days discounted rate
  • 1700 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002
  • (855) 318-8945
  • Michelle Hosey: 713-495-7830

Cooling Centers

 Galveston County

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 Houston Area

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  • Friendswood Cooling Centers
    • Friendswood Library: 416 S Friendswood Drive, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
    • Friendswood Activity building: 416 Morningside Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Kemah Cooling Centers
    Kemah Jimmie Walker Community Center: 800 Harris St., from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Only service animals are allowed inside the center. 
  • Clear Lake/Webster Cooling Centers
    CLS Clubhouse Cooling Center:  931 Cedar St Clear Lake Shores, TX 77565 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pets are welcome but must be on leashes or in crates. 
  • Houston Cooling Centers
    • Southwest Multi-Service Center: 6400 High Star Dr. Houston, TX 77074 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
    • Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center: 4410 Reed Rd. Houston, TX 77051 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
    • Acres Homes Multi-Service Center: 6719 W Montgomery Rd. Houston, TX 77091 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    • Metropolitan Multi-Service Center: 1475 W Gray St. Houston, TX 77019 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
    • Fondé Community Center: 110 Sabine St. Houston, TX 77007 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    • Moody Community Center: 3725 Fulton St. Houston, TX 77009 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    • Kingwood Community Center: 4102 Rustic Woods, Kingwood TX 77345 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Woodlands Community Center: 212 Parkview St. Houston TX 77009
  • Harris County Precinct 3 Cooling Centers
    • Crosby Community Center: 409 Hare Road Crosby, TX, 77532 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
    • Big Stone Lodge: 709 Riley Fuzzel Road Spring, TX 77373 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
    • Trini Mendenhall Community Center: 1414 Wirt Road Houston, TX 77055 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
    • Juergen's Hall Community Center: 26026 Hempstead Road Cypress, TX 77429 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Non-Profit Organizations Cooling Centers
    • Lakewood Church: 3700 Southwest Fwy. Houston, TX 77027 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
    • Brenda & John Duncan YMCA: 10655 Clay Rd. Houston, TX 77041 12 p.m. - 9 p.m
    • Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA: 808 Pease St. Houston, TX 77002 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
    • Trotter Family YMCA: 1331 Augusta Dr. Houston, TX 77057 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
    • Weekley Family YMCA: 7101 Stella Link Blvd. Houston, TX 77025 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
    • Alief Family YMCA: 7850 Howell Sugarland Rd. Houston, TX 77083 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
    • YMCA International Services: 3110 Hayes Rd. Houston, TX 77082 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

 Brazoria County

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  • Brazoria Cooling Centers
    • First Baptist Church: 101 San Bernard St, Brazoria, TX 77422. Cooling, and O2 charging with power, 8 a.m. -8 p.m. (979) 798-2340
    • Brazoria County Library Brazoria Branch: 620 S. Brooks, Brazoria, TX. Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m. (979) 798-2372
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • Alvin Cooling Centers
    • Senior Center: 309, West Sealy Street, 1-7 p.m.
    • Brazoria County Library Alvin Branch: 105 South Gordon, Alvin TX. (281) 388-4300. Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • Angleton Cooling Centers
    • Angleton Rec Center: 1601 N. Valderas Street, 6 a.m. -11 p.m.
    • Brazoria County Library Angleton Branch: 401 E. Cedar, Angleton, TX. (979) 864-1519. Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • Richwood Cooling Centers
    • City Hall: 1800 N. Highway 288B, Noon to 8 p.m. (Residents of Richwood only)
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • Danbury Cooling Centers
    • Community Baptist Church: 6114 Fifth Street 10 a.m. -7 p.m.
    • Brazoria County Library Danbury Branch: 1702 North Main, Danbury, TX. (979) 922-1905. Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • Freeport Cooling Centers
    • Brazoria County Library Freeport Branch: 410 Brazos port Blvd. Freeport, TX. (979) 233-3622. Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. -6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
    • Salvation Army: 1618 North Avenue J. Freeport TX. (979) 233-5420. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. -4 p.m.
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • West Columbia Cooling Centers
    • Brazoria County Library West Columbia Branch: 518 E. Brazos, West Columbia, TX. (979) 345-3394. Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
    • West Columbia Civic Center: 512 E Brazos Ave, West Columbia, TX 77486. (979) 345-3123 ext. 8. In-Person Cooling station overflow from 10 a.m. -7 p.m.
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • Sweeny Cooling Centers
    • Brazoria County Library Sweeny Branch: 205 W. Ashley Wilson, Sweeny TX. (979) 548-2567. Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
    • Sweeny Junior High School: 800 N Elm St, Sweeny, TX 77480. (979) 491-8200. 1 p.m. to until no longer needed.
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • Pearland Cooling Centers
    • Pearland Rec Center & Natatorium: 4141 Bailey Road. Open 24 hours.
    • Brazoria County Pearland Tom Reid Branch: 3522 Liberty Drive, Pearland, TX. (281) 652-1677. Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
    • Brazoria County Library West Pearland Branch: 11801 Shadow Creek Parkway, Pearland, TX. (713) 436-0995. Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • Manvel Cooling Centers
    • Brazoria County Library Manvel Branch: 20514B Hwy 6, Manvel, TX. (281) 489-7596. Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059
  • Clute Cooling Centers
    • Brazoria County Library Clute Branch: 215 North Shanks, Clute, TX. (979) 265-4582. Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
    • County Actions Office can provide some transportation assets to get residence to/from cooling centers, contact: (979) 864-1059

O2 Charging Stations

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  • Brazoria County O2 Recharging Stations
    • First Baptist Church Brazoria: 101 San Bernard St, Brazoria, TX 77422.  (979) 798-2340
    • Angleton Rec Center: 1601 N Valderas St, Angleton, TX 77515. (979) 900-5370. Run by Red Cross.
    • Bridge City Church: 1280 Hospital Dr, Angleton, TX 77515. (979) 900-5370. Run by Red Cross, Medical focus (not a medical shelter).
    • Angleton High School: 1 Campus Dr, Angleton, TX 77515. (979) 900-5370. 9 a.m. -8 p.m.
    • Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Saint John: 310 N McKinney St, Sweeny, TX 77480. (979) 548-2020 ext. 6.
    • Masters Road Church: 6911 Masters, Manvel, TX 77578. (832) 637-7121.
    • Pearland Rec Center: 4141 Bailey Rd, Pearland, TX 77584.
    • UTMB Health Urgent Care: 2309 West Mulberry Street, Angleton, TX 77515. (979) 849-6467.

Transportation

Galveston Campus Shuttle Service

UTMB offers a free Galveston Campus Shuttle Service for all faculty, staff, and students. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday: 6:00 am-9:00 am, 11:00 am-2:00 pm, 4 pm- 8:00 pm. There is no cost to ride the shuttle service. Each shuttle (2) makes a total of five (5) stops. Stop locations are at: 

  • Seawall Parking Lot
  • Waverly Smith Pavilion
  • The corner of HEC and SON buildings
  • 2200 Market St.
  • UHC- Harborside entrance

The shuttle service is operated by UTMB Courier Services.

Bus Service and Public Transit

UTMB Health and The Gulf Coast Transit District partner to offer transit service for the university's Galveston-based employees, students, visitors, and patients. UTMB employees, students, retirees, patients, and those accompanying them qualify for no-cost rides (conditions apply). Fixed-route buses and Dial-a-Ride (DART) services are also available. The Gulf Coast Transit District offers a host of transit options for residents of Brazoria and Galveston counties. Learn more about public transit and ridesharing.
Monitor road conditions

The number to call for road conditions on state highways is 1-800-452-9292. For information on evacuation routes, shelters and special needs transportation, call 2-1-1

Park and Ride

Available between Galveston and League City/Webster, with stops including the Park and Ride Center at the League City Campus, the UTMB Health Multispecialty Center and sites in Galveston. The one-way fare on these comfortable, wi-fi-equipped vehicles is $4. Ride coupon books offer a discount.  Learn more about Park and Ride.
Van and Carpools

Through a partnership with Metro Star, UTMB offers a ride-sharing service that saves money, reduces stress, and helps employees relax to and from work. Using a fleet of passenger vans that carry 8-15 riders, Metro STAR matches individual van pool groups based on schedule, home location, work location, and other rider requirements. All participants have access to emergency rides and a guaranteed ride home. Get more information about van and carpool groups.

Mental Health Services

UT Employee Assistance Program

UTEAP is here to assist employees with their recovery from Hurricane Beryl. Whether you were impacted by Hurricane Beryl directly or indirectly, a disaster of this magnitude can create stress in many areas of our lives. We hope the resources provided below help to guide you to the support that fits you best.  

To access Hurricane Beryl resources, sign in to www.mylifevalues.com with the username and password: uteap. You may also use your EAP designated sign on credentials if you already have one. Once logged in, click the links below for available resources: 

Hurricane Beryl - Resources
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Resource Guide

THHSC

Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) is providing crisis counseling for Texans affected by this disaster through local mental health authorities. To locate a local mental health authority, visit the Where Can I Find Services page.