Al Roker has headed to Texas to lend a helping hand.
The Lone Star State is still feeling the catastrophic effects of its worst winter storm in decades, weeks after the icy weather caused mass power outages, ruptured pipes, flooded homes and contaminated drinking water.
Al went to the state's capital of Austin on TODAY Friday to shine a light of communities that are still struggling in the wake of the storm. Many people remain without water due to burst water lines and broken pipes, while others are living in homes in desperate need of repair.
A continued need for supplies and an overwhelming demand for plumbers have left numerous families stuck in difficult circumstances nearly a month after the storm. Water Mission, an engineering nonprofit that builds safe water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions in developing countries and disaster areas, has worked to bring in plumbers from all over the country to fix pipes and restore water.
The TODAY weatherman and co-host also went to meet up with a star who has become synonymous with Texas. The Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey was born and raised in the state, maintains a home there, and is a 1993 graduate of the University of Texas.
McConaughey and his wife, Camila Alves, are hosting a virtual fundraiser called "We're Texas" on YouTube on March 21 to help their fellow Texans through their Just Keep Livin Foundation.
In addition to McConaughey's upcoming fundraiser and the work being done by Water Mission, there are numerous other groups helping others on the ground in Texas.
Here are more ways you can help:
- Austin Disaster Relief Network is helping residents with long-term recovery efforts, facilitating repairs and donating clothing and other supplies to those still in need.
- OurCalling is a Dallas-based nonprofit organization that serves the homeless and has been working to secure shelter, food and water for more than a thousand people.
- The American Red Cross is providing cots and blankets at dozens of warming centers across the state.
- The World Central Kitchen is in Houston providing meals to those in need.
- Austin's Free Lunch program provides meals to those experiencing homelessness, and the Central Texas Food Bank is providing meals to people in need.
- A group of Dallas organizations, including Feed the People Dallas Mutual Aid, North Texas Food Bank, Tarrant Area Food Bank, Lucha Dallas and The Stewpot, are still accepting donations to help feed people in need.
- NBC affiliate KPRC also has an extensive list of organizations across the state still working to help those in Texas.
helping residents with long-term recovery efforts, facilitating repairs and donating clothing and other supplies to those still in need.