Harris County partners with Union Apprentices for storm cleanup

HOUSTON – Following a devastating storm that hit the Houston metro area last week, Harris County officials and union apprentices are taking steps to help with cleanup efforts in the community.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, along with apprentices from the Texas Gulf Coast Labor Federation’s 17th union, gathered at the Finnigan Park Community Center to help clean up hard-hit areas in the Fifth Ward and Harbor from Denver.

SUGGESTED: Houston storm: Houstonians grapple with lingering power outages, Centerpoint exceeds restoration goal

The initiative is a collaborative effort between Harris County Commissioner Precincts 1 and 2, highlighting a unified response to the natural disaster.

Last Thursday’s storms swept through Houston, leaving behind widespread damage, including the loss of eight lives. More than a million residents were affected by power outages, while businesses suffered structural damage and residential areas suffered significant property damage. The powerful storms brought winds reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, toppling trees, crushing homes and spreading debris across affected neighborhoods.

FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available via Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV and Vizio!

The community’s resilience is visible as Houstonians come together in a row to rebuild and clean up their city. Union apprentices’ involvement in cleaning strengthens the role of unions in providing not only skilled labor, but also humanitarian assistance in the face of adversity.

“When there’s a disaster, it’s important for everyone to come together. Put as many people on deck as possible. There are a lot of people who still don’t have power, there are a lot of people who don’t have electricity to pay for their home repairs, waiting to see if they’ll be reimbursed by the federal government,” Ellis said.

Authorities have not yet released estimates on the financial impact of the storm, but the visible solidarity between residents and workers points to a strong and rapid recovery effort.