Airbnb offers Hurricane Harvey evacuees free shelter

In preparation of Hurricane Harvey evacuations, Airbnb will offer people free accommodations, KVUE reports.

The program will last through Sept. 1 and is open to people in San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and surrounding areas affected by the storm.

The effort is part of Airbnb's Disaster Response Program, which was launched in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy.

Kellie Bentz, Airbnb Head of Global Disaster Response and Relief, said in a statement the company encourages hosts in safe areas to aid their efforts by listing rooms or home for evacuees.

"Our thoughts continue to be with everyone in the path of the storm, and we thank the dedicated government and emergency response personnel who are keeping our communities safe," she said.

Hurricane Harvey is expected to be the worst storm to hit the United States since 2005. As of Friday afternoon, Harvey was labeled a category three storm.