Houston's own Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has been rigorously working its fingers to the bone to don the cape of heroism following the derecho that blitzed through the city nearly a week and a half ago. The city, renowned for its resilience, is slowly getting back on its feet, with the OEM taking the lead, as its partners roll up their sleeves and chip in to pull the community back from the brink, according to an official statement released by the City of Houston.

"Crisis brings out the best in this city, and the coordination and partnership we have seen over the past week has been phenomenal. As Houston recovers, I know that the bonds made in this storm will make us a stronger, more resilient place to live," Thomas Muñoz, the city’s Emergency Management Coordinator, told Houston Mail. Organizations like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have been dishing out meals like there's no tomorrow and promise to persistently continue through the weekend, backed by a crew of tireless volunteers and nonprofits such as the Houston Food Bank.

For those who have been sucker-punched by the storm, FEMA has thrown open the doors to assistance, advising victims to sign up for Individual Assistance. Disaster Recovery Centers have been set up at strategic points to serve as havens of hope. The Boys & Girls Club on Pitner Road and the Fonde Community Center on Sabine Street stands ready to usher in those flung into chaos by the storm.

The city's emergency facilities are slated to swing their doors wide open and resume normal hours starting Saturday. As the road to recovery stretches ahead, the community's collective spirit is expected to not only rebuild but also bolster the city's defenses against future calamities, reinforcing the notion that when pushed to the brink, Houstonians rally together to rise again.