CPB announced Friday that it is giving up to $500,000 to help public broadcasters in Texas and Louisiana affected by Hurricane Harvey.
The emergency grants will help stations cover some of their increased operating costs caused by the storm, according to a press release.
KEDT in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Houston Public Media have each received an initial grant of $60,000 to address “urgent and critical needs,” according to the release. KEDT’s transmitter in Victoria is not working, and flooding has made it inaccessible, according to a CPB spokesperson.
“CPB is in close contact with other stations in Beaumont, TX and Lafayette, LA to assess immediate concerns and will continue to monitor the status of stations in the affected area,” according to the release.
CPB also pointed out that Houston Public Media assisted first responders in the city through its television station’s datacasting infrastructure, which allowed officials to view flooding conditions through video feeds sent to emergency vehicles.
“We appreciate these stations’ outstanding efforts, perseverance and determination to continue to serve their communities throughout the storm,” CPB President Pat Harrison said in the release. “Stations in Texas and Louisiana have collaborated to share feeds and services, working in close concert with emergency responders, NPR and PBS to ensure their audiences get the news and emergency information they need.”