1. Shelters open in Austin
The Capital Area Shelter Hub Plan opened two shelters on Aug. 26 to receive evacuees from Houston and other cities affected by Hurricane Harvey. The shelters are located at the Delco Center, 4601 Pecan Brook Drive, Austin, and at LBJ High School, 7309 Lazy Creek Drive, Austin. Their combined capacity is about 1,000 evacuees, according to Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Juan Ortiz. Neither is open to Central Texas residents, but organizers will reevaluate should local evacuations begin.
2. American Red Cross seeks shelter volunteers
Those interested can apply to volunteer here. You can also donate directly to the organization’s Hurricane Harvey relief efforts here or to the Austin Disaster Relief Network, which helps survivors cover emergency costs and funds long-term repairs and rebuilding. The ADRN will also connect community members who sign up here with volunteer opportunities.
3. New insurance law takes effect Friday
Those seeking immediate relief need to file insurance claims by Friday if they hope to avoid consequences of House Bill 1774, which was passed in the regular Texas legislative session. The bill takes effect on September 1 and will limit the penalties insurance companies could face if they don't pay enough in claims. To avoid any implications of the impeding legislation, those filing claims should notify in writing their insurance providers of their claims prior to Friday.
4. Austin road closures map
Road closures amid the heavy rainfall in Austin since Saturday have largely been lifted. Find the latest news at ATX Floods. Because of Tropical Storm Harvey’s now more southeasterly direction, the National Hurricane Center is forecasting lower rainfall in the Austin metro area through Wednesday, down to 1 to 3 inches of rain from 3 to 8 inches previously.
5. Power outages still affecting Austinites
A map supplied by Austin Energy showed power outages scattered throughout the city Monday morning, with 268 active outages affecting nearly 4,500 people reported at 11 a.m. There are 175 additional hazards, or incidents that are not necessarily causing an outage but are of public concern, such as downed power lines or trees. This is down from Sunday morning, when 283 active outages were affecting nearly 14,000 people and 231 hazards were reported.
6. Donate blood
Patients in hospitals affected by Hurricane Harvey have been transferred to Austin-area facilities, including Dell Children’s, which received seven babies from the NICU at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi. Meanwhile, We Are Blood, the sole provider of blood to Central Texas hospitals, is experiencing a critical shortage of blood. You can donate at the Austin North location at 4300 N. Lamar Blvd. or the Austin South location at 3100 W. Slaughter Lane. Eligible donors are in good health, 17 or older and weigh at least 115 pounds.
7. School closings
Austin ISD was delayed two hours this morning because of the after-effects of Hurricane Harvey. Austin has likely seen the worst of the storm according to the latest forecasts, but any additional school cancellations or delays will be available here.
