By Alissa Widman Neese, The Columbus Dispatch
COLUMBUS – Central Ohio has joined the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, sending dozens of volunteers, rescue crews and utility workers into the flooding and devastation along the Texas coastline.
READ MORE: In The Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio Buckeye Region of the American Red Cross has sent 35 volunteers and three emergency response vehicles, spokeswoman Jordan Tetting said.
More than 4,000 volunteers from Red Cross chapters across the United States, and 200 vehicles are expected to be in the area by Wednesday.
As of Sunday night, at least 6,000 hurricane victims were staying in 40 shelters managed by the nonprofit group, but the exact number is likely much higher and will continue to grow, Tetting said. Power outages and connectivity issues are making it difficult to keep the figure up-to-date.
It’s also still difficult to assess the extent of the damage, she said.
“The worst of the storm isn’t behind is; it’s ahead of us,” Tetting said. “Weather is still happening, roads are blocked off and it’s difficult to get into residential areas.”
Harvey made landfall in Texas late Friday as a Category 4 hurricane and has lingered just off the coast, dropping heavy rain as a tropical storm.
THE LATEST: Congress weighs aid package
Meanwhile, the Better Business Bureau and the Ohio Attorney General’s office are reminding those who want to contribute to relief efforts to exercise caution. The BBB of Central Ohiois already seeing questionable crowdfunding appeals, spokesman Kip Morse said.
Tips on helping relief efforts
Verify the trustworthiness of soliciting relief organizations by visiting Give.org the Ohio Attorney General’s Office
Carefully review donation requests.
See if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas.
Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups.
Beware of “look-alike” websites or accounts
Be cautious about gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations unless the organization has the staff and infrastructure to distribute such aid properly.
Understand crowdfunding. It is probably best to give to people who you personally know that have posted requests for assistance.
-Source: Better Business Bureau/Ohio Attorney General
The office of Attorney General Mike DeWine cautions against those soliciting donations who employ high-pressure tactics, provide no details about how donations will be used or written information about the charity.
He recommends avoiding organizations with names that sound similar to other better-known organizations, requests for donations made payable to a person instead of a charity and any offers to pick up donations immediately instead of having them provided in the mail or online.