Editor’s Note: The State Bar of Texas is providing a daily collection of important links, blog posts, and media stories to keep its members and the public informed of the latest news and resources related to Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts.
Important Harvey Links
If you are an attorney who has been adversely affected or wish to assist a colleague, please take a moment to complete the State Bar of Texas’ Hurricane Harvey assistance survey.
If you would like to donate money to the hurricane relief effort in Texas, you can give through the Texas Bar Foundation by clicking here.
If you are an attorney who wants to help by giving brief advice, limited-scope service, or full representation to Harvey survivors, please complete the form at texasbar.com/attorneyvolunteer.
State Bar Disaster Resources for Attorneys — Information on this page includes recovery plans, court closures, court orders, and other items.
State Bar Disaster Resources the Public — The State Bar of Texas legal hotline — (800) 504-7030 — helps people find answers to basic legal questions and connects them with local legal aid providers following declared disasters.
Latest Harvey News
Hurricane Harvey: Reports of 82 Texas deaths, but state still investigating — More than 80 people were likely killed in Texas as a result of Hurricane Harvey, which struck the state about three weeks ago and brought record flooding to the Houston area, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on Thursday. — Reuters
Will Hurricane Irma pull federal resources away from Harvey aid? — With both Texas and Florida recovering from massive hurricanes, members of Congress from the two states are actively avoiding turning hurricane aid into a competition. — The Texas Tribune
Ahead of 2019 session, Speaker Joe Straus orders Texas House to research Harvey issues — “We know that this is not going to be a normal legislative interim,” Texas House Speaker Joe Straus said Thursday as he directed House committees to research policy issues related to Hurricane Harvey. — The Texas Tribune
Investigation underway related to evacuation of flooded Port Arthur nursing home during Harvey — A criminal search warrant was served at the Lake Arthur Place Nursing & Rehabilitation center in Port Arthur Thursday afternoon. — KBMT – Beaumont
EPA won’t release benzene levels collected post-Harvey; private tests show elevated levels — Environmental groups hired a private firm after the flooding and found higher than normal levels of dangerous chemicals in the air around a refinery. — The Texas Tribune
Former Shell president named Houston’s recovery czar — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner created a new position to help the city move forward. He appointed former Shell Oil Company CEO Marvin Odum as chief recovery officer. — KHOU – Houston
Texas General Land Office to lead Harvey housing effort — The Texas General Land Office, the agency tasked with managing state-owned lands, will oversee short- and long-term housing for Texans displaced by Hurricane Harvey, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday. — Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Lawsuits allege government liable for damage caaused by water releases during Harvey — Texas plaintiffs firms have begun filing lawsuits on behalf of clients who live in Houston neighborhoods that flooded when the Army Corps of Engineers authorized controlled water releases from two reservoirs in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The suits allege that the intentional flooding was an unlawful government taking of property. (Subscription required) — Texas Lawyer
Free legal classes for flood victims at ‘People’s Law School’ — The “People’s Law School” is designed to provide useful information to individuals about their legal rights. This session of the People’s Law School will focus on the legal issues faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. In addition to the classes, volunteer attorneys will be available to answer your questions. — Texas Bar Blog