tropical storm imelda

Here is how Houstonians can help victims of Tropical Storm Imelda

While the water has receded, many Houstonians are still in need.

Sky Noir Photography by Bill Dickinson/Getty Images

As anyone who was unfortunately stuck out in the rain and flooding on Thursday, September 19, will tell you, Tropical Storm Imelda took a lot of people by surprise. But the people left stranded on the freeways weren’t the only ones affected.

According to an AP report, hundreds of homes and other buildings, extending eastward from Houston and across the Louisiana border, were damaged by the storm, dumping more than 40 inches of rain in some spots and being blamed for at least five deaths.

Several organizations have already sprang into action:

Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, and Mattress Mack have created the Imelda Assistance Fund. Houston Food Bank sent food and water to several shelters the day it happened, as well as sent its food truck to Chambers County to serve hot meals at shelters the following day. The Salvation Army has dispatched several Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) units through southeast Texas.

And UnitedHealthcare and Optum, the health benefits and services companies of UnitedHealth Group, are providing services that include assisting health plan participants who may need to make alternate arrangements to access care and early prescription refills, as well as offering a free emotional-support line to help people who might be affected.

Of course; there is also the American Red Cross, which has erected multiple shelters across the Greater Houston area. CultureMap asked Jackie Drake of the American Red Cross about what people can do during this time:

CultureMap: What is the best way to help right now?

Jackie Drake: After a storm, the best way to help is to volunteer your time or donate. Disasters can affect any of us at any time, volunteering your time is an investment in your community. Making a financial donation allows the Red Cross flexibility to allocate resources where they are needed most.

CM: How many need help?

JD: It’s hard to say how many people we expect to assist, that number will be determined on how many homes are flooded and how many residents can’t make it to their home because of flooded streets. As of today, the shelter count is at 19 (although the number could change by this afternoon), and we had more than 1,200 overnight stays.

CM: Does the Red Cross need blood at this time?

JD: The Red Cross does not collect blood along the Texas Gulf Coast, but we do have a processing facility in the Houston chapter. We encourage those who are able to donate blood at this time to do so because, generally, there tends to be a blood shortage when disaster strikes. There are a number of blood collection companies in Houston, I recommend giving one of them a call and set up an appointment.

CM: Which areas are most affected?

JD: This is a great question, one that we are actively seeking to answer. Part of the Red Cross’s work in the community is finding out what areas have been hardest hit. We are in the phase of gathering information, some of which will come from reports we get from shelters and also information gathered from our community partners.

Once we get that information, and road conditions allow us access into those areas, we send emergency response vehicles to hand out water, hot meals, and clean up kits. This is also the time when caseworkers work with families, connecting them to community resources to aid them in their journey to restoration.

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Additional reporting by Steven Devadanam.

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Trader Joe's sets Cypress opening date, confirms Bellaire plans

Photo courtesy of Towne Lake by Caldwell Communities Facebook page

Trader Joe's is expanding, and shoppers couldn't be happier.

Two new Houston-area communities announced that they would be opening Trader Joe's locations, bringing the total number of stores in the city to nine.

On Thursday, December 18, the Towne Lake by Caldwell Communities Facebook page posted that the new Trader Joe's at 9715 Towne Lake Parkway would open at 8 am on Friday, December 19. Unsold but still-good products left over at the ribbon cutting ceremony will be donated to local nonprofits.

"Not only does Trader Joe's have great prices on food, drinks, and treats, but as a hobby florist I always find the best selections for my floral arrangements," Copperfield resident Kelsey Zuchlewski tells CultureMap. "Now, with the convenience of having a location right here in our neighborhood, I'm in heaven."

Confirmation of the Cypress opening followed an announcement on the City of Bellaire's Facebook page that a Trader Joe's would take over the former Randall's at 5130 Bellaire Blvd. The post did not specify when construction will begin or when the location will open.

"This highly anticipated addition to our community will bring a unique grocery shopping experience and further enhance the vibrant retail landscape of Bellaire," the post said. "We look forward to welcoming Trader Joe’s and will share updates as the project progresses."

The California-based chain of stores entered Houston in 2012, first in the Woodlands and then, more famously, at the old Alabama Theater space on Shepherd, where it has become a beloved local institution. Since then, the chain has expanded throughout Houston, including a Kingwood location that opened earlier this month.

Over the year, Trader Joe's has built a loyal following that rivals even H-E-B. Staff at the stores (wearing Hawaiian shirts) are trained to be extremely friendly and helpful, as well as being encouraged to purchase ownership in the company. The selection is smaller and more curated than other larger grocery stores, leading to a boutique experience that many consider to be surprisingly affordable. At least one viral TikToker claims that Trader Joe's beats H-E-B's price, although the latter undoubtedly has a larger selection of goods.

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