A Houston weatherman was floored when a fan started a GoFundMe to raise funds to send him on a vacation after Harvey’s waters destroyed their city.
Donations for meteorologist Jeff Lindner have surpassed $9,500 after Blake Ford launched a campaign to send Lindner on a getaway on Thursday night.
Lindner, who works for the Harris County Flood Control District, has been keeping residents updated for the past five days after Harvey caused deadly flooding in Houston.
Ford said he believes Lindner deserves a vacation because his determinations helped thousands to safety and to ‘make smarter, more informed decisions’.
After learning of the hundreds of people who chipped in for his trip, Lindner said: ‘I am blown away about it. I really can’t believe all this. I was just doing my job.’
Meteorologist Jeff Lindner (left) was left floored when Blake Ford (right) started a GoFundMe on Thursday to send the weatherman on a vacation after Harvey’s waters destroyed Houston
After learning of the hundreds of people who chipped in for his trip, Lindner said: ‘I am blown away about it. I really can’t believe all this. I was just doing my job’
Ford launched the GoFundMe shortly before midnight on Thursday night.
He wrote: ‘Jeff Lindner has proved an invaluable resource. He has provided us with a calm, analytical, and composed presence during an incredibly fluid and complicated situation – never once looking uncertain or overwhelmed while discussing planned releases and changing water levels.
‘Tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people were able to make smarter, more informed decisions about them and their families safety because of Jeff and his determinations.
‘Additionally, and I’m sure beyond the scope of his responsibilities, he has been constantly answering questions from worried citizens on Twitter.
‘He looks like he’s hardly slept, or eaten in the last week. I think Jeff is gonna need a break. I do not know Jeff, but he seems like a swell fellow. I figure the least we can do is show our thanks and gratitude by getting Jeff a vacation once this is all over.
Lindner, who works for the Harris County Flood Control District, has been keeping residents updated for the past five days since Harvey caused deadly flooding
Ford said he believes Lindner deserves a vacation because his determinations helped thousands to safety and to ‘make smarter, more informed decisions’ and (pictured portion of GoFundMe page)
‘If Jeff wants to go on an European river cruise, we are going to make sure Jeff goes on an European river cruise. Let’s get Jeff a vacation. He deserves it.’
As of Friday evening, the donations have neared $10,000, as one supporter chipped in more than $500.
The campaign began to make the rounds on social media, prompting a fan to tweet to Lindner, asking if he had heard the news.
He responded: ‘Yes…And I am blown away about it. I really can’t believe all this. I was just doing my job.’
Another woman gave Lindner a shout out after she was helping her father evacuate a flooded house on Wednesday, saying to ABC13: ‘Jeff Lindner is my hero.’
He later said in response: ‘It has been my honor to get accurate and concise information out to help as many as we could to make the best decisions.’