Response Updates

Houston Derecho Response Continues

USA Reported by Convoy of Hope

May 31, 2024 | 10:34 a.m.

Throughout the Houston area, Convoy of Hope has been a lifeline for residents enduring a prolonged power outage caused by recent severe weather. As power restoration efforts continue, the organization has tirelessly distributed essential supplies, including food, water, and hygiene items. With some facing more than a week without electricity, the need for these supplies has become increasingly urgent.

To date, over 600,000 pounds of vital provisions have been distributed, reaching over 30,000 individuals in their time of need. As the community works to rebuild and recover, Convoy of Hope remains steadfast in its commitment to partner with local churches and organizations and to address ongoing needs arising from the extended outage. 

Thank you for walking alongside the people of Houston during this difficult time.

May 23, 2024 | 11:42 p.m.

Convoy of Hope is still on the ground in Houston, working to serve those in need. 

Yesterday, after learning about a retirement village and nursing home that were still without power, Convoy went door to door, delivering ice, food, and water to the residents.

Additional deliveries to partners throughout the city and drive-thru distributions continue. So far, Convoy has served more than 21,000 people. 

Though the news cycle has moved on, Convoy will continue working in the Houston area, providing help and hope to people in need.

May 22, 2024 | 10:16 a.m.

More than 74,000 people are still without power in the Houston area. Forced to weather the rising heat and humidity, they have been without air conditioning or running water for six days now. 

Convoy of Hope is continuing distributions throughout the impacted area. 

Convoy is often one of the first on the ground in the wake of a disaster. In this instance, trucks were en route to Houston the morning after the storms. 

“We were planning to reach out to Convoy, but we didn’t need to. They were already on their way,” said Edith Santamaria, a member of Councilman Joaquin Martinez’s staff.

In coordination with the City of Houston, Hope City, and Houston’s Boys and Girls Clubs, Convoy distributed water, sports drinks, hygiene items, and food to families still without power. 

Dr. Melissa Alfaro and her husband, Pastor J — lead pastors of Tab Church Houston — held distributions at their church following the storms. With loads of relief supplies from Convoy, volunteers from the church gathered together to pack and distribute bags of groceries, food, hygiene kits, and more to their neighbors. 

“With the power outage, the food in people’s fridges spoiled. They went from having food to having nothing. The ready-to-go meals and nonperishable foods were pivotal,” Melissa said. “Thank you, Convoy of Hope, for mobilizing the church! Convoy of Hope helped us meet the tangible needs of families with food and water and opened the door for the church to minister to the issues of the heart.”

May 20, 2024 | 4:09 p.m.

As of this morning, more than 200,000 people in Houston, Texas, have been without power for four days. Convoy of Hope is on the ground helping to meet the needs of residents all over the impacted area.

Yesterday, more than 80 volunteers served their neighbors by packing grocery bags full of ready-to-eat food and loading cars with food, water, sports drinks, and ice. Convoy will deliver additional loads of relief supplies this week. 

Through multiple distribution sites and mobile distribution, Convoy has served more than 7,700 people in the Houston area so far, and we’re not done. With the power still out for hundreds of thousands of people and a heat wave rolling through, a bag of groceries, a case of water, and a genuine smile can go a long way in providing hope. 

Because of your generosity, the people of Houston know they are not alone. To help Convoy continue serving in Texas, donate here.

May 19, 2024 | 9:53 a.m.

Convoy of Hope has already served more than 4,000 people in the Houston area following last week’s derecho. More truckloads of food, water, and hygiene items will arrive today. A drive-thru distribution will also take place on the west side of Houston this afternoon.

In collaboration with the City of Houston and members of their City Council, two distributions took place in affected neighborhoods yesterday. Those who attended received food, water, sports drinks, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies.

A man stands on his balcony near a fallen tree in the aftermath of a severe storm on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Houston. Fast-moving thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas for the second time this month, killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings, downing trees and knocking out power to more than 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

More than 350,000 residents are still without power and have been for more than 60 hours. The need for food, water, and other supplies has been compounded by a small heat wave that moved in behind last week’s storms.

In the coming days, Convoy of Hope will continue to deliver food, water, hygiene items, and other life-sustaining supplies.

May 18, 2024 | 1:25 p.m.

Convoy of Hope is in Houston, Texas, responding to the severe storms that swept through the area Thursday night. Distribution will begin today across the city and surrounding communities.

After an evening of heavy rains and winds of up to 100 mph, nearly 1 million people lost power. 

Houston Mayor John Whitmire told the Associated Press the winds were reminiscent of 2008’s Hurricane Ike. The National Weather Service has declared Thursday night’s storms a derecho, which produces destructive winds over hundreds of miles. 

Officials have warned residents to be braced for days without electricity. As of this morning, more than 500,000 people are still without power.

May 17, 2024 | 8:25 a.m.

Convoy of Hope is responding in the aftermath of Thursday night’s s​evere thunderstorms along the Gulf Coast. Severe weather — with winds of up to 100 mph — pummeled several communities on Thursday night, including the greater Houston area. 

Photo above: Transmission power lines are down near the Grand Parkway and West Road after a storm Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Cypress, Texas. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Houston Mayor John Whitmire said through The Associated Press that four people died in the storms. Nearly 900,000 residents are without power, and schools have been closed. Houston’s downtown received the brunt of the storm. Winds blew out windows throughout the area, and flooding made streets impassable. The same storm system moved into Louisiana, where more than 200,000 people lost power. 

Emergency supplies destined for Houston are loaded on Friday morning. Convoy of Hope is delivering relief including food, water, tarps, totes, and cleaning supplies.

llumination kits, which include a flashlight, batteries, and a camping lantern, are prepped for distribution in Houston. With the lack of electricity, having light during the evening hours will be vital for affected communities.

Convoy of Hope team members are deploying this morning with equipment and essential supplies for residents who were affected by the storms. This is the second response to the Gulf region this month. Earlier storms caused widespread flooding in and around Houston, and Convoy distributed loads of food, water, cleanup supplies, tarps, and hygiene supplies.

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Here’s an update from Convoy’s @Ethan_Forhetz on our response to #HurricaneHelene so far and what’s ahead. 👇🚚📦 Join our response today: https://h.ope.is/47P1q87