The Fuel Relief Fund has given away over 5,000 gallons of free fuel to those most affected by Hurricane Harvey.
When a natural disaster such as Hurricane Harvey occurs, fuel becomes one of the most essential commodities, in many cases allowing people to flee and save their lives. During the first moments after such a disaster, fuel is generally a scarce resource. That is why groups such as the Fuel Relief Fund (FRF) provide vital help to those in need.
In the first two days, Fuel Relief Fund helped those hardest hit by the eye of the Hurricane. The team was able to give away more than 4,000 gallons of fuel and 1,000 gallons of diesel. They pumped about 5 to 10 gallons into each vehicle in the long line of cars. This fuel allowed people to escape from the area and find shelter in safer places.
“So far our team has stationed a truck in Rockport and they are now in Port Aransas aiding countless people in surrounding communities as well,” explains Lidewij Honcharik, FRF.
The team has also filled more than 500 containers with between 1 to 5 gallons of fuel to power generators.
“There is no electricity at all in the area, so this free fuel enabled people to run their generators for lights and power,” says Honcharik.
More than a dozen refineries across the Gulf are closed, including those operated by ConocoPhillips outside Houston and Exxon Mobile in Baytown – the nation's second largest. It normally pumps out 560,000 barrels of oil a day.
The storm has killed at least 44 people in Texas, officials said on Thursday, and forced 32,000 people into shelters since it came ashore last Friday near Rockport on the Gulf of Mexico coast.
Honcharik says that thanks to SC Fuels they will soon have another tanker filled with free fuel, but admits “there is still a dire need for more donations!”
FRF was established in 2005 with its rapid response to Hurricane Katrina. Immediately after the hurricane, FRF brought tankers across states to fill the gap in fuel availability.
*You can help Fuel Relief and Hurricane Harvey victims by donating here.
Source - Petrolplaza.com
