Following up on time frames.
Typically, urgent help is most needed post recovery aspects which are occurring now. For quick clarification, recovery is the hardest psychologically as it includes dealing with death and usually it leaves the survivors mentally worn out.
Post recover is clean up/restoration. This is when houses will be cleaned up and repaired when possible. Trash is removed and where possible folks try to move back or start preparing for rebuilding. This time frame varies but is generally it is about 7-14 after recovery efforts have ended. In order to best organize. It's the primary focus of our efforts as it's when the flood victims tend to get the least help, and sadly need it the most.
We want to start now as organization efforts take time. First, we need an assessment of where help is needed. By that I mean actual locations, homes, apartments and a general assessment of what help is needed.
This aspect allows for effective and efficient deployment of resources which include man power and goods. You don't want to send people driving out with nothing to do, going where help is not needed, or worse missing people that need help or not bringing proper resources.
Hence, why we are trying to organize now.
Currently the most important aspect is contacts in the region to start the needs assessment.
Second is an effort to begin collecting cleaning goods and ppe.
To that end a lockable trailer, location to stow said trailer and someone with a vehicle capable of dispatch is an important aspect.
Those that can't go out and spend time in field can help with finding a trailer, finding a location for the trailer, receiving cleaning materials, organizing materials, finding people to donate materials.
Current needs in order of priority:
1) Contacts within the effected area that can provide input on need areas
2) Someone to engage with those contacts for preliminary assessments. (I will be helping here)
3) A list of people willing to volunteer time and tools they have available. (The team will start putting these together from volunteers found in this thread and elsewhere) These are Seal Team Surly volunteers.
4) Field assessment @InkaUtexas will be leading those efforts
5) Allocation of known resources to known specific locations of need post assessment. I will work with @TexasEd and @InkaUtexas to assist in this effort.
6) A lockable trailer than can be used for a while or someone willing to fund a Uhaul cost for a couple of weeks.
7) A location to stow trailer and someone with a vehicle that can dispatch/tow trailer to need location(s)
😎 Volunteers to organize/receive donations at trailer (Surly Volunteers)
9) cleaning supply donations for trailer (Surly Volunteers)