SINTON, Texas, Aug. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- One year ago on
Aug. 25, Category Four Hurricane
Harvey slammed into the Texas Gulf Coast. The last major hurricane
to hit the region was Hurricane Celia in August of 1970. The eye of
Hurricane Harvey first made landfall around 10:00 p.m. in the Rockport-Fulton area, which caused an estimated
$125 billion in damage according to
the National Hurricane Center. The affected Coastal Bend counties
include: Aransas, Bee, Kleberg,
Nueces, Refugio, San
Patricio. Federal Emergency Management Agency reported
738,000 people across the State have registered for assistance. One
year following the aftermath of this devastating storm, Coastal
Bend residents are still in the midst of recovery. The Coastal Bend
Disaster Recovery Group (CBDRG) along with a number of other
nonprofit and volunteer groups in the area are helping disaster
survivors with their unmet needs. With an estimated 2,000 regional
cases still needing assistance, an estimated $30 million is the projected total required to
fund these unmet needs in the Coastal Bend region.
"Successful long-term recovery will take a sustained effort for
a significant time in the future," said CBDRG president, Rev.
Beth Tatum. "This is achieved
through sustainability of collaboration and partnerships,
additional funding opportunities and the continued donation of
labor and materials."
"Everyone has a role, community-led recovery starts and finishes
locally with neighbors helping neighbors return to their homes,"
Tatum continued. "Volunteers and skilled laborers are needed to
complete on-going home repair and reconstruction projects and begin
numerous pending projects already identified." For more information
on how to fulfill needed labor gaps, please visit the Volunteer
page at www.coastalbenddrg.org.
"We recognize the challenges ahead on the road to recovery and
are committed to staying focused on the vulnerable families who
still have significant unmet needs resulting from the hurricane and
are unable to recover on their own," said CBDRG executive director,
Warren Phipps. "Each success is the
product of so many – from our generous private donors, to disaster
case management organizations, and the numerous faith-based
organizations providing the legions of volunteers."
The ability to sustain this effort is best achieved through
collaborative partnerships, full cooperation and the unfettered
spirit of "Texas Strong," shared Phipps.
"Though the tasks that lie ahead may seem insurmountable, there
are glimmers of hope all around as the Coastal Bend continues to
recover," said Tatum. "It is important to honor every milestone and
keep moving forward in a positive direction."
Several communities and organizations are planning unique events
including: fence decorating at the Texas Maritime Museum in
Rockport and Charlotte Plummer's in Fulton, a First Responders' program and a
Harvey reflection event in Aransas
County, a First Responders' Appreciation Night at a Corpus
Christi Hooks game sponsored by Texans Recovering Together, a
region-wide moment of silence at 8:03 p.m.
on Friday, Aug. 24 and a community prayer is being
offered to all area churches to be read at Sunday services. A full
calendar of events will be provided by sending a request by
email.
ABOUT COASTAL BEND DISASTER RECOVERY GROUP
The Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (CBDRG) is a
volunteer-based coalition created to address the unmet needs of
Coastal Bend area residents affected by disaster. CBDRG is a
State/FEMA recognized long-term recovery organization, and is
registered with the State of Texas
as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation as authorized by the IRS.
Established in 2015, CBDRG was formed to continuously coordinate
long-term disaster recovery within the eleven county region of the
Texas Coastal Bend (Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy,
Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, San Patricio, and Refugio) for current
and future disasters.
Volunteer Groups and individuals can sign up to join our efforts
at our website www.coastalbenddrg.org or email
coastalbenddrg@gmail.com.
Media Contact:
Kara Rivas
Phone: 361.884.1518
Email: kara@kcspublicrelations.com
Related Images
volunteer-building-a-ramp-for.jpg
Volunteer building a ramp for manufactured home
Christian Public Services volunteers build a new ramp for a
manufactured home replacement.
volunteer-cuts-plywood-for-home.jpg
Volunteer cuts plywood for home rebuild
Christian Public Services volunteer measures and cuts wood for a
home rebuild
rebuild-home-in-refugio-texas.jpg
Rebuild home in Refugio, Texas
close to completion
cbdrg-board-president-beth-tatum.jpg
CBDRG Board President, Beth
Tatum, hands over keys to completed rebuilt home in
Refugio resident
Related Links
Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group
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SOURCE Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group