On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) revealed plans to distribute $3.6 million to help survivors displaced by Hurricane Beryl in Texas and Oklahoma. This funding is part of HUD’s Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) program, which is designed to offer swift financial support for those who have become homeless due to natural disasters. The program’s goal is to quickly address the urgent housing needs of individuals affected by the hurricane.
HUD’s acting secretary, Adrianne Rodman, emphasized the importance of addressing housing needs in disaster-stricken communities. The RUSH program will provide essential support such as emergency shelters, rapid re-housing services, move-in costs, and other forms of assistance.
This funding will work alongside efforts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross, aiming to alleviate the strain on local resources that have been overwhelmed by the disaster’s impact.
HUD Allocates $3.6 Million for Hurricane Beryl Survivors in Texas and Oklahoma
The financial support will be allocated specifically to Texas and Oklahoma, with Texas receiving over $1.8 million. The distribution includes $1 million for Houston, $104,420 for Fort Bend County, and $383,630 for Harris County.
Oklahoma will receive approximately $205,000, reflecting the relative severity of the hurricane’s impact in the state. This targeted funding is intended to address the immediate needs of the affected populations in these regions.
The damage caused by Hurricane Beryl was substantial, resulting in at least ten fatalities in southeast Texas due to severe winds, rain, and flash flooding. The storm also led to widespread power outages, with millions affected and significant delays in electricity restoration.
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott criticized CenterPoint, Houston’s main power company, for its inadequate response, prompting an investigation by the Public Utility Commission into the company’s handling of the power outage.
Hurricane Beryl was notable as the first storm of the 2024 hurricane season, which began on June 1. It also set a record as the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic, highlighting its intensity and the extensive damage it inflicted. The situation underscores the critical need for effective disaster response and recovery efforts to support affected communities.
