Harvey-related 2-1-1 Calls Data Dashboard


2-1-1 is a free helpline operated by United Way of Greater Houston 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in many languages.

We created the dashboard to show:

  1. the number of 2-1-1 calls by week and by date
  2. the distribution of 2-1-1 calls across Harris County area
  3. change in requested assistance over time
  4. 2-1-1 calls by age group
  5. requested assistance by age group
Between August 28 and November 30, 2017, almost 226,000 calls were placed through the 211 system. Of those, 80,293 unique callers requested service referrals due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey. The number of calls per week has dropped from a peak of 21,233 during the week of the storm to 2,885 by the last week of November. Heavy concentrations of calls came near Addicks Reservoir and on the northeast side of Houston.

Needs changed week-to-week, however, and reflect the process of recovery. From week 1-7, most calls have requested referrals or information for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) and other food assistance, temporary financial aid, shelter, and disaster unemployment assistance.

Most requested needs through 211 for Weeks 8-14 are quite consistent. The top needs are disaster related case management, electric service payment assistance, rent payment and housing assistance, temporary financial aid and food assistance. Utility assistance (electric service payment assistance) and housing assistance requests were higher than they were in Weeks 1-7.

Please click "Harvey-related 2-1-1 Calls Data Dashboard" tab to explore the data.


Data Source: 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE. Data for the period between August 28 and November 30, 2017.

Updated by January 22, 2018