The best ways to help right now are by offering blood or money. Blood banks in Houston are shut down, meaning medical procedures must be delayed, and thousands of evacuated residents need money for food and clothing.
Fresno may be 1,500 miles away but donating blood is one way to help those impacted by the storms and floods in Texas and Louisiana that have knocked out power to blood centers and hospitals.
"Blood can't be collected now because people are just surviving the best they can, and donor centers have had to close," Leslie Botos explained.
Those injured in the flooding area are just a small part of those in need. Thousands of regular medical procedures are in jeopardy at scores of hospitals in the devastated area. There are 24 hospitals Houston alone.
"Without blood, not one surgery can begin and many treatments can't be delivered," Botos said.
The Central California Blood Center in Fresno is sending blood to Texas. Thirty units on Monday, and more as they become available. Julie Fulcer was among those donating and was surprised to learn her blood could be helping someone in Houston.
"That is amazing isn't it," she said. "We are so far away, so it's hard to help. So it's nice to know we can do a little bit."
Another way to help is donating to the Red Cross.
"Really the best and quickest way to help Red Cross right now is through a financial gift," Jessica Piffero with the Red Cross said.
Donations can be made online or by cell phone by texting the word "HARVEY 90999" makes a $10 donation on your phone bill. The Red Cross says that's a sure way to make sure your money goes to help hurricane victims.