The City of Arlington, in conjunction with local faith-based organizations and the American Red Cross, is prepared to open an emergency shelter to serve evacuees affected by Hurricane Harvey and the historic flooding left in its aftermath.
On Tuesday, Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams also signed a declaration of local disaster.
"The City of Arlington is known for its kindness and compassion. Our first responders immediately answered the call for help in Houston and the Gulf Coast. Now we stand ready to serve and provide comfort here to the families and individuals whose lives have been upended by this catastrophic storm,' Williams said.
Arlington is waiting on an official request from the State of Texas to open the shelter, which could provide assistance for up to 100 people.
In addition, the City of Arlington has deployed 19 police officers to the Gulf Coast Region for shelter security, traffic management and 911 emergency response. Several Arlington Fire Department personnel have also been deployed to Houston and other Southeast Texas communities to provide requested assistance.
The City of Arlington is also serving as a Vehicle Replenishment Point, ready to provide fuel, maintenance and parking for buses that are transporting evacuees to emergency shelters set up in North Central Texas communities. No buses had arrived as of Tuesday afternoon but the City’s Community Emergency Response Team has been activated to aid with the coordination of incoming buses.
The declaration of local disaster will allow the City to request reimbursement for expenses related to providing disaster relief.
"This is about Texans helping Texans. When we are doing something like this, it takes the community to help make it happen. By partnering with our faith-based groups and nonprofits, we are pulling together to help our fellow Texans in need,' said Emergency Management Administrator Irish Hancock.
Related articles:
- Hurricane Harvey: Where You Can Donate to Help Disaster Relief and Recovery
- City of Arlington Assisting Gulf Coast Communities Devastated by Hurricane Harvey
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