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
What lessons will Houston-area officials learn from Harvey? History gives us a clue — As Houston begins to recover from Harvey, a growing chorus of voices is calling for big policy changes to reduce flood damage from future disasters. Local officials haven’t said much about what they might pursue, but history offers some clues. — The Texas Tribune
Watchdog: A band of idiots, clowns and thieves are en route to flooded areas, and they’re up to no good — You may know this already, but you’re about to meet the most charming men in the world. Here, in your hours of greatest need, you’ll receive an unwanted barrage of telemarketers, deceitful fliers and obnoxious front-door visitors. They all want one thing. — The Dallas Morning News
Texans in Congress aim for united front ahead of long fight for Harvey aid — The 38 Texans in Congress aim to take advantage of their delegation’s size and seniority to usher large amounts of federal aid and resources to the state following Hurricane Harvey. The Senate approved $15.25 billion in short-term relief Thursday. — The Texas Tribune
Hey, Texplainer: What assistance is available to those affected by Harvey? — The Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering aid to people displaced by Harvey, but not everyone qualifies for their assistance. For those still in need of help, there are other options. — The Texas Tribune
Lawmakers troubled by ‘minimal’ state resources for Harvey relief — Officials from two state agencies that help with disaster assistance told lawmakers Thursday there is little state money available for Hurricane Harvey recovery. — Austin American-Statesman
Qatar giving $30 million to help Harvey victims in Texas — Qatar is donating $30 million to help people in Texas recover from Harvey, its ambassador said Thursday, as the Persian Gulf nation works to show it’s a constructive global player amid a diplomatic crisis with its neighbors. — The Associated Press
In battered Houston apartments, residents wonder whether to stay — As Collingwood Gardens apartments’ tenants weigh their options, Texas officials admit state funds to help displaced people are woefully inadequate and wait to see what aid package Congress approves. — The Texas Tribune
Landlord gives renters 5-day notice to vacate homes — A landlord has the right to terminate the contract if he or she believes the catastrophic damage is substantial, according to paragraph 26.5 of a standard lease agreement with the Texas Apartment Association. That’s exactly why Windy Shores has taken action. — KRIS – Corpus Christi
First responders sue Harvey-flooded plant after chemical fire — When first responders were sent to the scene of a chemical fire at a manufacturing plant last week, they were never alerted to the toxic fumes in the air, a new lawsuit alleges. And the plant’s parent company could face another lawsuit in the next several weeks. — The Texas Tribune
Dozens of accused felons could be freed after missed deadline because of storm — Dozens of suspects in jail on felony charges, some as violent as murder or child molestation, may soon be free on minimal bail after the Harris County District Attorney’s Office missed deadlines to indict, largely because of Hurricane Harvey. — Houston Chronicle
Status of Harris County courts; Criminal Justice Center closed indefinitely in wake of Harvey — Judge Sylvia Matthews issued the following update on the status of Harris County courts. — Texas Bar Blog
World War II plane returns to action delivering hurricane supplies — A 73-year-old World War II plane came out of semiretirement in Central Texas to deliver supplies to Hurricane Harvey victims. — Austin American-Statesman
Economist says deporting DACA recipients could boost a post-Harvey labor shortage (Audio) — The Trump administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, was largely expected. But as Marfa Public Radio’s Caroline Halter reports, it comes at a time when Hurricane Harvey is refocusing a spotlight on the role of immigrant labor in Texas. — Texas Standard
Will memories of Hurricane Harvey scare business away from Houston? — The nation’s fourth-largest city has been confronted with a challenge that could overpower its economic prowess — a perception that it’s prone to catastrophic flooding that regularly grinds business to a halt. — The Dallas Morning News
Mayor urges people to report price gouging and scams — Have you seen any price gouging or scams? If so, report it. — KHOU – Houston
Slideshow: Digging out from Hurricane Harvey — Since Hurricane Harvey first hit the Texas coast on Aug. 25, Texans have had to come to terms with widespread damage caused by the storm. Take a look at just some of what Texans are dealing with. — The Texas Tribune
State Bar of Texas in the News
Technology, Harvey, and the attorney ‘first responder’ — Social media is a key piece of this strategy. Lowell Brown, communications division director for the State Bar of Texas, said that social media is playing a central role in the state bar’s communications efforts. (Subscription required) — The National Law Journal
Texas Legal Answers adds disaster category, volunteers to help with Harvey relief — Texas Legal Answers is a free online legal advice clinic where people can post their non-criminal legal questions and receive answers from volunteer lawyers. The site—TexasLegalAnswers.org—is the product of a partnership between the State Bar of Texas and the American Bar Association. — Texas Bar Blog
Video: Disaster victims should report improper solicitations by lawyers — In Texas, it is a crime for a lawyer or someone representing a lawyer to contact a disaster victim for purposes of legal representation if the victim has not first requested the call or personal visit. — Texas Bar Blog