After closing for Harvey, the nation's second-largest refinery is set to reopen

Sep 4, 2017
Hurricane Harvey knocked out almost a quarter of the U.S. refining capacity. The average gas price in the U.S. is now about $2.64 for a gallon of regular, according to AAA, up about a quarter from last week. Now, Exxon Mobil says it’s working on restarting its Baytown refinery, the second largest refinery in the […]

Their homes escaped flooding, but the fear lingers

Sep 1, 2017
"Everyone becomes on edge when you hear any type of heavy rainfall," a Louisiana homeowner says.
A flooded street in Cypress, Texas, northwest of Houston.
Courtesy of Marcy Matyas

Economists don't think price gouging is a problem. But what about our social values?

Sep 1, 2017
High prices limit hording and increase supply. But that's bad for business, one expert argues.
People wait in line to buy water at the Coastal Industrial and Specialty gas welding supplies store yesterday after the water supply to the city of Beaumont, Texas, was shut down from the effects of Hurricane Harvey.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

After Harvey, Houston's faith community develops plans for aid

Sep 1, 2017
Local congregations know the neighborhoods and have a built-in system for collecting and distributing donations.
A flooded street is seen after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 31, 2017 in Port Arthur, Texas. 
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Where does your donation dollar really go?

Sep 1, 2017
There's a journey between your pocket and the people in need — and a few pit stops along the way.
Sarah Menendez/Marketplace

Congress should have seen the signs that a Harvey-like event was coming

Aug 31, 2017
Politico's Michael Grunwald discusses a decades-old report about repetitive losses in the Naional Flood Insurance Program.

Fires at flooded Arkema chemical plant in Texas worry residents

Aug 31, 2017
“I’m just worrying about what we’re gonna be breathing,” one local resident told us.
A Harris County Sheriff vehicle blocks access on the Crosby Dayton Road which leads towards the Arkema Chemical Plant in Crosby, Texas on August 31, 2017.
MANDEL NGAN / Getty Images

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Crowdfunding is playing a larger role in disaster relief

Aug 31, 2017
With more options for giving, donors are urged to do their research.
Volunteers get a briefing on Monday at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, where the American Red Cross is housing victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Erich Schlegel/Getty Images

After shelters, some Harvey victims will move to vacant Houston apartments

Aug 31, 2017
Just over 10 percent of the apartments in Houston are sitting vacant. As the storm clears, survivors can get money to help them move in. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Harvey’s honor roll of heroes has lots of ordinary folks

Aug 30, 2017
Many of the first responders in Houston have been civilians organized into rescue squads. Their work has the support and approval of government agencies, who have realized that local volunteers can move faster than any bureaucracy. It’s an approach to disaster management that has become codified into policy. Click the audio player above to hear […]