Tropical Depression Harvey is finally moving away from Texas after making a second landfall on Wednesday, but historic flooding continues to impact promotional product companies. ASI estimates as many as 900 listed distributors and 60 listed suppliers are being affected, with the areas hit hardest representing $650 million in annual promo product sales. Both suppliers and distributors reported closures and disruption as a result of what could be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history at an estimated $160 billion, according to analysts.

“I’ve been here 57 years and have never seen a storm like this,” said Gary Mosley, owner of Kati Sportcap (asi/64140) of Houston. The supplier was one of the lucky ones. The firm reopened on Wednesday with no damage to its office or inventory. However, UPS and FedEx are not running in the area yet, so Mosley expects shipping to resume the Tuesday after Labor Day.

Fellow Houston suppliers KTI Promo (asi/63776), LandesUSA (asi/66230) and Houston Sign Company (asi/61802) are now back up and running as well. Additionally, Louisiana companies Lamb Specialty Advertising (asi/248196), REI Promos (asi/307658), Your Company Store Inc. (asi/365371) and The Creative Touch (asi/170981) are reporting they’re operating as usual.

Other promo companies haven’t been as fortunate. Pepco Promotional Products (asi/77280) of Lane City, TX, had to shut down its plant on Wednesday due to rising flood waters. Flowercaddy of Houston plans to reopen next Tuesday.

Wristband Nation (asi/98414) of Houston suffered flood damage, forcing the staff to work remotely. Customer service representative Kimmy Polanco says they’re checking emails and calls throughout the day, but there may be delays in responses. “I’ve had both friends and family who have suffered damages in their homes and have even been displaced,” Polanco said. In an effort to aid the Houston community, the supplier is offering Texas Strong and #PrayForTexas wristbands with 100% of the proceeds being donated to help the families, shelters and infrastructure affected by Harvey.

Friendswood, TX, was hit hard as well – about one-third of the homes in the small coastal city are flooded. Many members of the community have volunteered during the storm, cooking meals and serving them to displaced residents who have taken shelter at Friendswood High School. “They are pulling together and just giving and helping everyone,” said Kerry Anne Cianciolo, owner of Friendswood-based KABLAM Promotions (asi/238548). “All ages are pitching in where they can, that part is beautiful.”

Cianciolo says that community members want to sell T-shirts and hats on Facebook to raise money for the town. They sent her art, but her local printers are all flooded – so she is looking for a supplier and decorator willing to help. Anyone interested is encouraged to email ka@kablampromotions.com.

As Texas promo companies and their neighbors contend with the storm that first made landfall near Rockport, TX, as a Category 4 Hurricane last Friday, others in the ad specialty space are working together to help provide some assistance.

Jason Lucash, CEO/co-founder of Origaudio (asi/75254), is spearheading an effort by industry suppliers to send power banks to the storm-ravaged areas so phones could be charged amid the power outages. As of Wednesday, Lucash said that Leeds (asi/66887), The Magnet Group (asi/68507), alphabroder (asi/34063) and Jetline (asi/63344) have joined Origaudio, Prime Line (asi/79530), Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125), SnugZ USA (asi/88060) and Starline (asi/89320) in shipping over 10,000 power banks, tote bags, apparel, blankets and connector cords to Simba Cal’s (asi/87296) Dallas warehouse. Simba Cal was planning to truck the products down to the Houston facility of Hirsch Gift (asi/61005), which would then distribute them to people in need. “Let’s all come together as an industry however we can to make a difference down in Houston,” said Lucash, who is looking for more suppliers to contribute and help transport products to Dallas. Those who would like to help can contact Lucash at jason@origaudio.com.

In addition, Peter Hirsch, president of Hirsch Gift, is now collecting specific items the company will personally deliver to those in need such as clothing, diapers, shoes and other essentials.

According to officials, at least 21 people have died in the storm. More than 32,000 people were in shelters in Texas, said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a news conference on Wednesday. The National Guard has conducted more than 8,500 rescues since the storm began, Abbott said, and the police and firefighters in the Houston area have done a similar number. About 24,000 National Guard troops will soon be deployed for disaster recovery in Texas. FEMA has supplied five million meals so far to evacuees, and 210,000 people have registered with the agency for assistance.

Houston mayor Sylvester Turner has imposed a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. until further notice to deter looting. On Tuesday, President Trump visited Texas to praise local officials for their emergency response efforts.

Harvey became the biggest rainstorm in the history of the continental U.S., reaching 51.88 inches on Tuesday afternoon at Cedar Bayou, TX, about 30 miles from Houston, the National Weather Service reported. The storm made its second landfall just west of Cameron, LA, at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Harvey was expected to move northeast, gradually weakening, but still producing 3 to 6 inches of rain from southwestern Louisiana up along the Arkansas/Mississippi border and into western Tennessee/Kentucky through Friday.