Quebec offers blankets, beds and hydro crews to Texas in wake of Hurricane Harvey

[tulc]

Quebec offers blankets, beds and hydro crews to Texas in wake of Hurricane Harvey

Above all, St-Pierre said she called to voice Quebec's concern for Texans caught up in the disaster.

"It was a conversation about how devastating the situation is and we want to express our support to the people of Texas," she told CBC News.
Pablos declined the aid for now, instead asking for "prayers from the people of Quebec," the minister said. "He was very touched by the fact we called him."

tulc(is at a loss on why the aid as well as the prayers couldn't be accepted?)

 

[redleghunter]

Quebec offers blankets, beds and hydro crews to Texas in wake of Hurricane Harvey

tulc(is at a loss on why the aid as well as the prayers couldn't be accepted?)

Supplies are kind of backlogged here and piling up. Showing the great hearts of Texans and Americans.

In two to six weeks when neighborhoods start drying out, that is when a lot of support in supplies are going to be needed as families return to their homes or what's left of them.

 

[JackRT]

I understand that the US has requested aid from Canada in the form of pediatric supplies.

 

[JackRT]

I recall that in the aftermath of Katrina a Canadian naval vessel arrived loaded with lumber to assist in rebuilding. US customs refused to allow it ashore.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Send prayers and money. Money can be easily stored until needed. Prayers are good anytime.

 

[redleghunter]

Send prayers and money. Money can be easily stored until needed. Prayers are good anytime.

Indeed. The money will stay in the coffers until needed and also can be used to hire local trucking companies and buy supplies closest the hardest hit areas.

That is how Samaritan's Purse relief is doing it. They hired a bunch of trucks in Dallas, loaded them up with supplies and then hauled it down to Houston, Galveston and Corpus Christi.

 

[redleghunter]

FYI, fuel is becoming an issue. Most of the distributors in Texas were on the Gulf Coast and north of Houston. I live in Central Texas and we have a gas and diesel shortage. Local gas station was resupplied last night and owner expects to be dry by Saturday morning.

Gas went up 30 cents a gallon as well. That's not gouging as I understand it, but the supply and demand of having the refineries closed right now.

 

[Kalevalatar]

The fact that Trump's State Department is still "in transition," probably permanently, with key posts remaining unstaffed and with most European countries still without a US ambassador, makes it difficult for other wealthy nations to offer help as there is no one they can talk to and coordinate these things with.

I recall that in the aftermath of Katrina a Canadian naval vessel arrived loaded with lumber to assist in rebuilding. US customs refused to allow it ashore.

After the Deepwater Horizon disaster, some dozen countries like Norway with superior oil spill tech & know-how than what the US had, offered help, but the United States had to say 'no', apparently because of the Jones Act of 1920. During the Katrina disaster, the US Department of Homeland Security temporarily waived the law to allow international shipments of vital oil & gas.

Send prayers and money. Money can be easily stored until needed. Prayers are good anytime.

Maybe use the international donations "left over" from Katrina donations?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Maybe use the international donations "left over" from Katrina donations?

Does "left over" mean aid that was collected but not used, or never collected from those countries?

International response to Hurricane Katrina - Wikipedia

Actual funds used
"An article in the April 29, 2007 Washington Post claimed that of the $854 million offered by foreign countries, whom the article dubs "allies," to the US Government, only $40 million of the funds had been spent "for disaster victims or reconstruction" as of the date of publication (less than 5%).

Additionally, a large portion of the $854 million in aid offered went uncollected, including over $400 million in oil (almost 50%)."

Is there an update for all this?

 

[Kalevalatar]

Does "left over" mean aid that was collected but not used, or never collected from those countries?

International response to Hurricane Katrina - Wikipedia

Actual funds used
"An article in the April 29, 2007 Washington Post claimed that of the $854 million offered by foreign countries, whom the article dubs "allies," to the US Government, only $40 million of the funds had been spent "for disaster victims or reconstruction" as of the date of publication (less than 5%).

Additionally, a large portion of the $854 million in aid offered went uncollected, including over $400 million in oil (almost 50%)."

Is there an update for all this?

By "left over" I meant money collected but not spent, not the money USG failed to collect.
$126 million received, of which "only about half had been put to use" ~ $60 million, should leave another $60 million somewhere.

For updates, you should probably check the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as its the main watchdog on government spending, fraud and waste.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

By "left over" I meant money collected but not spent, not the money USG failed to collect.
$126 million received, of which "only about half had been put to use" ~ $60 million, should leave another $60 million somewhere.

For updates, you should probably check the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as its the main watchdog on government spending, fraud and waste.

I have to trust that the money, and much more, will eventually be spent, although on what is uncertain.

 

[Kalevalatar]

I have to trust that the money, and much more, will eventually be spent, although on what is uncertain.

To ensure this happen, why not write to your representatives to give them a nudge. Spending those millions to help the survivors would spare the US tax payers and make the international donors happy.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

To ensure this happen, why not write to your representatives to give them a nudge. Spending those millions to help the survivors would spare the US tax payers and make the international donors happy.

I can think of better things to waste my time on.

 

[JackRT]

Scientists had warned Houston that it was ill prepared for a hurricane with large scale flooding. A city official commented at the time "These scientists are pushing their agenda of protecting the environment at the expense of common sense."

I nominate this statement for an award under the category of "gosh I wish I hadn't said that".

 

[redleghunter]

For those who live outside the US perhaps the best course would be to donate to the American Red Cross or Salvation Army. Both large organizations with large resources locally and nationally.

There are also some very good Christian relief ministries like Mercy Chefs (set up mobile kitchens) and Samaritans Purse. What's interesting about Samaritans Purse is they have so many relief missions overseas in disaster and war torn areas they had to mobilize teams here in the States for Harvey relief.

 

[redleghunter]

Scientists had warned Houston that it was ill prepared for a hurricane with large scale flooding. A city official commented at the time "These scientists are pushing their agenda of protecting the environment at the expense of common sense."

I nominate this statement for an award under the category of "gosh I wish I hadn't said that".

The mayor of Houston did great work after hurricane Rita to improve flood abatement programs with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

When you have 5 inches of rain falling an hour there are no viable solutions to stop flooding.

If Houston wants to avoid a future Harvey type storm, I gather they can relocate the entire city.

 

[redleghunter]

To ensure this happen, why not write to your representatives to give them a nudge. Spending those millions to help the survivors would spare the US tax payers and make the international donors happy.

Probably should be returned. When money comes in for a specific purpose it has to spent on the specific purpose.

It's not like the US can use funds for flood victims from NATO countries to fund NATO shortfalls. That would be illegal.

 

[Yonny Costopoulis]

Scientists had warned Houston that it was ill prepared for a hurricane with large scale flooding. A city official commented at the time "These scientists are pushing their agenda of protecting the environment at the expense of common sense."

I nominate this statement for an award under the category of "gosh I wish I hadn't said that".

What do scientists know about subject they dedicate life to learning about? Uninformed opinion much more sensible than lifetime of learning.

Trump names climate science denier to run NASA – ThinkProgress
Trump's climate change denial will be tested by Houston's devastation



Donald J. Trump

✔@realDonaldTrump
This very expensive GLOBAL WARMING ******** has got to stop. Our planet is freezing, record low temps,and our GW scientists are stuck in ice

5:39 PM - Jan 1, 2014


Donald J. Trump

✔@realDonaldTrump
Any and all weather events are used by the GLOBAL WARMING HOAXSTERS to justify higher taxes to save our planet! They don't believe it $$$$!
2:40 PM - Jan 26, 2014

 

[Rion]

Quebec offers blankets, beds and hydro crews to Texas in wake of Hurricane Harvey

tulc(is at a loss on why the aid as well as the prayers couldn't be accepted?)

Because sending unnecessary aid can be worse than sending none. Cash is the best way to help, as they can buy the stuff that they need but people are not giving.

 

[redleghunter]

Because sending unnecessary aid can be worse than sending none. Cash is the best way to help, as they can buy the stuff that they need but people are not giving.

Yes well meaning people are donating items which are already in abundance. And that's locally here at the evacuation centers. Money is best so relief agencies can purchase locally the greatest demand.