Programs / February 28, 2021 - March 2021
Winter Storm Uri- Texas Assessment
Event
Winter Storm Uri was a major winter storm that occurred from February 13, 2021 to February 17, 2021. It had a widespread impact across the United States, Northern Mexico, and parts of Canada. The storm resulted in over 170 million Americans being placed under various winter weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service.
As a result of this storm, power blackouts occurred for over 9.9 million people in the U.S. and Mexico. The most notable blackout was the 2021 Texas power crisis. Power blackouts caused a loss of heat, leading to widespread damage caused by frozen and burst pipes. Additionally, frozen and burst pipes lead to widespread loss of drinking water. By February 21, the death toll from this storm had risen to at least 82 people, including 70 people in the United States and 12 people in Mexico. Damage from this storm in Texas alone is expected to reach between $10 billion to $20 billion.
About Our Texas Assessment
On Sunday, February 28th, a NECHAMA assessment team headed to Texas. The NECHAMA team joined an International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) assessment team to caravan toward the city of Houston. The two teams will deliver needed plumbing supplies in short supply. Upon arrival in Houston, the teams will meet with families to assess homes damaged as a result of Winter Storm Uri.
Follow our updates to learn more about this assessment!
Join us as a Day Volunteer
3-5-2021
Do you live in or near the Houston, TX area? We started the process of completing in-person damage assessments of homes, and we have identified several homes to assist with muck and gut work. We are opening a limited-time day volunteer opportunity in Texas.
We will work in the Houston area for the next week. If you live locally and are interested in being a day volunteer with us, please reach out to let us know your availability at [email protected]. Never volunteered with NECHAMA? Check out our website for more information on what you can expect as a day volunteer.
Following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines is a top priority for NECHAMA. Despite the recent order from the Governor of Texas to end the mask mandate in Texas, we will continue to follow mask mandates and daily temperature checks as set forth by the CDC to ensure the safety of our staff and volunteers. We will only accept a limited number of local volunteers each day. We look forward to you joining us on our Texas assessment!
Volunteer Remotely
Volunteer assignments will include the following: answer phone calls, return messages and enter information into a website database. This will help track the need for property and home cleanup. We are looking for volunteers to help with shifts throughout the day. We also seek volunteers to serve as a Volunteer Team Leader to coordinate shifts and training.
All volunteers will work from home. Requirements include:
*A telephone (landline or cell phone)
*A computer with reliable internet access (tablets and smartphones will not work with this database).
Follow this link to complete a brief Google Survey expressing your interest and to provide your contact information:Volunteer Sign-up Form
UPDATE
As a result of an amazing response for volunteer assistance, we have paused scheduling new volunteers for our Texas efforts. We encourage you to complete the Registration Form if you have an interest to help at a future date. You will receive training and be able to assist with phone calls as they are needed.
Contacts
Updates
Assessment Team Returns to MN
Over the last 3.5 weeks, a NECHAMA Assessment team has assisted communities impacted by Winter Storm Uri. The NECHAMA assessment team partnered with an International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) assessment... Read More
Inspiration is contagious: The story of Ms. Rose
During our pre-assessment research of the phone calls logged by our volunteers, the home of 99-year-old Ms. Mable and her daughter Ms. Rose caught our attention. Their status was urgent-immediate... Read More
Texas Volunteer Opportunity
Calling All Local Volunteers! Do you live in or near the Houston, TX area? If so, we have a Texas day volunteer opportunity to help with the muck and gut... Read More
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