Houston buys meteorologist vacation after continuous Harvey coverage

HOUSTON – Do you know that man you've been seeing on all of the TV stations since Hurricane Harvey hit southeast Texas?

He’s Jeff Lindner, the meteorologist with Harris County Flood Control District.

Lindner has been a source of information throughout the storm and flooding crisis. Now, Houstonians are giving back: they just bought him a vacation.

A GoFundMe page called Let’s Buy Jeff Lindner a Vacation has raised $6,675 of a $4,000 goal.

However, Lindner has said he is not accepting the money, but instead donating every cent raised, according to the account creator, Blake Ford.

Ford, a Houstonian, praises Linder as “an invaluable resource.”

The description reads: “(Lindner) 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.”

“His press conferences have been an invaluable, reassuring resource in what has literally been a natural disaster,” the page says. “Additionally, and I'm sure beyond the scope of his responsibilities, he has been constantly answering questions from worried citizens on Twitter.”  

“He just looks like he knows his stuff; and gives off a frankly fantastic vibe. He had an answer ready for every question, every follow-up, and never once dodged a difficult question nor was he afraid to honestly inform the public of imminent trouble.”

“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 (after hurricane season of course).”

Updates on the GoFundMe page indicate that the person who created the account was trying to reach Lindner to write him a check for the total amount raised. 

“Y'all are all crazy and I can't believe we've raised so much already,” the final update reads. “I'm going to let it get to $5000 and then turn donations off.”

Lindner, who appeared Friday in press conferences, has heard about the effort. He tweeted, "I am blown away about it. I really can't believe all this. I was just doing my job."