As slow-moving Hurricane Dolly blasted flooding rain and high winds across southern Texas, Direct Relief  has dispatched hurricane response packs to five safety-net clinics in Texas. The clinics, our long-standing and trusted partners, treat under-served populations and are well versed in emergency response.

The hurricane response packs contain necessary medical products for a 72-hour period of patient treatment for a wide range of trauma situations. Swiftly assembled in Direct Relief’s warehouse, the packs include specifically requested aid, from antiseptics donated by Purdue Pharma L.P. to medicines donated by Prometheus Labs to diabetic test strips, meters, and lancets generously donated by Abbott. In emergencies, access to medicines and supplies to treat chronic health conditions like diabetes is often impeded, which makes them critically important in response modules. The packs will boost our partner clinics’ ability to treat hurricane-effected patients as the need arises.

Damon Taugher, director of domestic initiatives, quickly contacted our trusted partner clinics to determine their urgent needs as Hurricane Dolly threatened the Texas coastline. He has remained in close contact with emergency preparedness staff at the Texas Association of Community Health Centers and the National Association of Community Health Centers.

Direct Relief’s experience in responding to emergencies in Texas is well established, as are our partner relationships in the region. In the aftermath of Hurricane Rita, staff participated on the Texas Blue Ribbon Task Force on Emergency Preparedness and Response, helping to design the state’s plans for emergency response and support, which includes a list of necessary medical materials.

Weather reports indicate that severe flooding from extreme rainfall and storm surge currently pose the greatest threats to populations in Hurricane Dolly’s path.