As the winds and rains of Hurricane Harvey begin to taper off, news outlets are reporting on the destruction and equating the scope of the damage to Hurricane Katrina’s impact on New Orleans. Reports of up to 50 inches of rain in some areas of Texas underscore the intense flooding and destruction resulting from this storm. NACNS has reached out to our Texas Affiliate to learn more about what clinical nurse specialists and the APRN community is experiencing and to see if we can help in anyway. NACNS encourages our members to consider making a donation of time or money to the American Red Cross.
From the Texas Clinical Nurse Specialists:
FROM: Tracy B. Chamblee, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC, President, Texas Clinical Nurse Specialists (8/31/17)
As many of you know by now, Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane, hit the Texas coast with a vengeance late last Friday. Harvey continues its destruction as a Tropical Storm in the southeast Texas region, including the Houston metro. Heavy rainfall and massive flooding impacted Houston’s world renowned medical district and other outlying hospitals and nursing homes, making them impassable. As a result, hospital staff (including CNSs) remains on duty, caring for patients with relief unable to reach them. In turn, these hospitals were also cut off from patients trying to reach them. As of Monday afternoon, multiple hospitals and nursing homes were evacuated. As the number of evacuees rises, shelters are opening in other areas of the state. For example, in Dallas, a mega-shelter capable of housing up to 5,000 evacuees will open today. Many nurses, including CNSs and NPs, in the north Texas area are volunteering to provide care to evacuees in the shelters.
Throughout this event and the reporting of this event, I am struck by the amount of coordination and teamwork displayed by so many different people – healthcare workers from all disciplines as well as ordinary citizens. It is truly remarkable.
For updates on Harvey and its impact on Texas, follow us on twitter @TXCNS or on our website.
If you are interested in assisting in the relief efforts, several victim support opportunities and resources are below:
American Red Cross
1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767)
Text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10
Monetary donations
Salvation Army
1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
Monetary donations
Trusted World Donations
15660 North Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75248
Donation needs listed on website
SPCA of Texas
214-461-1831
Monetary donations and Amazon Wish List