As severe winter storms cover much of the United States and parts of the South experience sub-zero temperatures, residents across the nation have been eager to do whatever they can to help.
With at least 30 people estimated to be dead and millions experiencing power outages, thousands have been left in need of assistance.
President Biden spoke with governors Tuesday from several of the states affected by the storms, saying he would provide federal assistance where necessary. Over the weekend, the president approved a state of emergency declaration for Texas. On Wednesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be sending generators, blankets, and water to the state.
Churches and shelters have been opening their doors as warming centers for those who might be experiencing homelessness or power outages. Some organizations, such as Austin Mutual Aid and Maximizing Hope, are raising money to purchase hotel stays for those in the Austin, Texas, area.
Other organizations are providing food relief to those in need. In Houston on Tuesday, Texas Relief Warriors made 800 breakfast tacos to deliver to seniors the following morning. Volunteers said that hundreds of meals have already been delivered by the group and that they are on track to serve around 2,000 people, according to ABC 13.
The Red Cross is facing a blood donation shortage.
Jessa Merrill, a spokeswoman for the organization, said in a statement that blood drives across 30 states have been forced to cancel due to the severe weather. The cancellations are “impacting approximately 16,000 blood, platelet and convalescent plasma donations this month,” Merrill said, adding, “the Red Cross is urging healthy individuals in unaffected areas, especially those with type O blood, to give now.”
Humans aren’t the only ones being affected by the storm. Animals have fallen victim to the severe weather, as well.
In Texas’s South Padre Island, thousands of the town’s famous endangered sea turtles have been rescued by residents on foot and by boat. By late Tuesday, an estimated 3,500 turtles had been taken to a nearby convention center as part of efforts conducted by Sea Turtle Inc., a local rescue organization.
The Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Amarillo, Texas, suggested that residents leave out a box with straw for wildlife they might be aware of in their area to provide warm shelter. The group did not recommend towels or blankets be left out as precipitation can cause the items to freeze.
After an Austin animal shelter experienced a power outage at its facility, a call was put out to residents to donate generators. Since then, power at the shelter has been restored, but the organization is still requesting bottled water for its animals and staff.
The winter storm warnings put in place by the National Weather Service for the entire state of Texas have been lifted for much of the population. Some parts of the state’s southern region are still under a winter storm advisory, while a few counties along the Gulf are under a freeze warning. Winter storm warnings are still in place for much of northern Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.
