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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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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 Brazoria County

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O2 Charging Stations

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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.