Dickinson Slowly Recovers From Hurricane Harvey

DICKINSON, TX — One of the hardest hit communities on the Texas Gulf Coast is slowly recovering from the onslaught of Hurricane Harvey.

Dickinson, was among the first communities to declare mandatory evacuations were in effect when the Category 4 storm slammed into Rockport on Aug. 25.

During the height of Harvey’s fury, half of the city’s 20,000 residents were either flooded or without power, and thousands are still seeking help nearly a month later. (Want to get daily news updates and hear about other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Clear Lake Patch morning newsletter.)

As many as 7,900 homes were damaged or destroyed, and many Dickinson residents are still relying on donations being distributed at the Dickinson volunteer fire department at FM 517 and Dockrell Road.

RELATED: Hurricane Harvey: Dickinson Issues Mandatory Evacuation Orders, Other Communities Follow

Meanwhile, as residents are working to remove debris from homes and businesses devastated by Harvey, a local Buddhist Foundation has stepped in to help, donating needed supplies and $2.3 million in cash, KTRK reported.

Stephen Huang, CEO of the Buddhist Tsu Chi Foundation in Houston, were set up inside a school gymnasium, where they handed out rice, blankets and cash cards to help those families who’d lost so much during Hurricane Harvey.

"Naturally we hear a lot of sad stories, lost life or they don't know what to do, they lost everything, they don't have insurance," Huang told KTRK. "Those are the people we try to help the most. And also the first responders, the police, the firemen."

The city has contracted with Crowder-Gulf Disaster Recovery and Debris Management for debris removal and since Sept. 6, has removed sheetrock, furniture and insulation from curbsides throughout the city, according to the city’s webpage.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened a Disaster Recovery Center at the Old Amegy Bank Building located at 2401 Termini St.

The Disaster Recovery Center is a one stop shop for residents who had their homes and/or businesses damaged by Hurricane Harvey to help guide them through the process. The Disaster Recovery Center is open daily from 7:00am to 7:00pm.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to the city for relief can click here.

Image: ORANGE, TX - SEPTEMBER 06: Food is piled on tables at a church that is now a relief center for flood victims in Orange as Texas slowly moves toward recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey on September 6, 2017 in Orange, Texas. Almost a week after Hurricane Harvey ravaged parts of the state, some neighborhoods still remained flooded and without electricity. While downtown Houston is returning to business, thousands continue to live in shelters, hotels and other accommodations as they contemplate their future. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Send your news tips to bryan.kirk@patch.com