Hurricane Update: Fueling Those Who Fuel Our Communities
Mary Schaper
Posted September 19, 2017
We continue to see the best of the American spirit – neighbors helping neighbors across Texas and Florida as recovery efforts continue after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. When storms hit, there is a select group of people that works around the clock to keep the lights on or get them back running, or to respond to emergencies. There also are a select few who help fuel first responders and communities once recovery efforts begin. Take this local favorite in Corpus Christi, Texas, as reported by KUT 90.5 in Austin
Gordo’s American Eats sits in the middle of an industrial area in Corpus Christi. Tucked in the relative safety of the Coastal Bend’s biggest city during the storm, the restaurant was able to get up and running shortly after Harvey hit — and help the city get up and running.
Even as Harvey was approaching, Gordo’s was providing meals for energy workers at the Citgo refinery.
“They had all their employees on hand, man,” [Guitierrez] said… She calls and says, ‘Hey, man, we gotta feed our guys, you know. They’ve been living on cookies and water and sandwiches. Can you provide a hot meal?’ I said, ‘Absolutely!’ Basically, fueling the fuel that’s fueling Corpus Christi. And that was big for us.”
As recovery efforts continue, refineries restart, and fuel supplies get back to normal, we continue to see ways volunteers are providing relief to communities impacted:
#RedCross volunteers continue to provide relief for those affected by Hurricane #Harvey pic.twitter.com/bMBQx2g82I
— American Red Cross (@RedCross) September 18, 2017
Update on assistance for #Harvey & #Irma
— FEMA (@fema) September 19, 2017
-770k+ registrations in Texas
-760k+ registrations in Florida
-$679 million+ approved for survivors pic.twitter.com/soNMZC37C2
Fuel coming into @PortTampaBay fast & FHP Troopers lined up to help get it to you! pic.twitter.com/GRsvoMtB9w
— Sgt. Steve Gaskins (@SteveG717) September 14, 2017
Linemen from as far away as Texas and Louisiana prepare to spread out across the #TampaBay area in order to restore power. pic.twitter.com/jfi6dnJDvD
— Pasco Sheriff (@PascoSheriff) September 16, 2017
Over 750 tankers loaded and rolling with fuel across Florida from Seaport Canaveral in last 48 hours.
Posted by Port Canaveral on Thursday, September 14, 2017
We continue to take aggressive efforts to expedite refueling statewide- more information can be found here: https://t.co/VgjOpCj0DJ
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) September 17, 2017
@USNavy with FEMA are helping those affected by Hurricane #Irma. #USSKearsarge and #USSOakHill continue support. pic.twitter.com/QG2iJqGisB
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) September 17, 2017
#RedCross teams are on the ground in the #FloridaKeys in the wake of #Irma. See how we're helping affected areas: https://t.co/Gl3ZLguY6S pic.twitter.com/JjjupLYTqv
— American Red Cross (@RedCross) September 18, 2017
Across the region, Texans are helping Texans. See how: https://t.co/j708FU0xkA @HoustonTexans #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/2d1inlKJqg
— ConocoPhillips (@conocophillips) September 15, 2017
From clearing debris to unloading supplies, employee volunteers are helping our neighbors. #BaytownStrong pic.twitter.com/nKtFKP7O9I
— ExxonMobil Baytown (@ExxonMobilBTA) September 13, 2017
About 50 volunteers from Noble Energy and Toney Construction Services, Inc. pitched in to repair the damage suffered by the Aldine Family Hope Center from Hurricane Harvey: http://bit.ly/2foUiX6
Posted by Noble Energy on Friday, September 15, 2017
We are proud of our BHGE employees offering a helping hand to those affected by #Harvey. Thank you for all that you’ve done! #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/plDi0ZupKE
— BHGE (@BHGECO) September 16, 2017
Devon is donating $50,000 to both the @foodbankofGC & Victoria County United Way to help with their Hurricane Harvey response efforts. pic.twitter.com/QuUdOR7RIN
— Devon Energy (@DevonEnergy) September 14, 2017
Proud to announce our supply drive to support #HurricaneHarvey recovery efforts resulted in Oklahomans donating goods to fill 4 semi-trucks. pic.twitter.com/YWYTjc5hJQ
— Oklahoma Oil & Gas (@OKOGA) September 15, 2017
Thanks to our amazing workers, we’ve initiated restart of the refinery and are making progress to restart the chemical plant #BeaumontStrong pic.twitter.com/FwjXk4hRTk
— ExxonMobil Beaumont (@exxonmobilbmt) September 15, 2017
About The Author
Mary Schaper is a Digital Communications Manager for the American Petroleum Institute. She previously worked on Capitol Hill for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as Digital Director and for Senator Lisa Murkowski. Before coming to D.C., she spearheaded digital strategy for Murkowski's successful Senate write-in campaign in 2010. Schaper enjoys traveling and taking in the local culture alongside her husband, their son and loyal springer spaniel.