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After the Storm: Hurricane Information
Burning of debris from Hurricane Ike
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services is urging citizens of Harris County to avoid open burning of storm and tree debris created from Hurricane Ike. This includes tree branches and wooden fences.
Improperly controlled burning of debris not only is a potential fire hazard but can also produce smoke that can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Smoke can be much more harmful to people with lung problems such as asthma. Also, open burning has a negative effect on air quality.
Place all debris near the street and work with your local jurisdiction or precinct personnel to dispose of the debris.
The removal of this large amount of debris will take some time and your patience is requested in this matter.
Houston Ike relief fund
Houston Mayor Bill White announced the formation of a fund to help those impacted by Hurricane Ike. The Houston Ike Relief Fund will be used to help fill unmet needs.
To make cash donations send to the following address:
HOUSTON IKE RELIEF FUND
C/O Greater Houston Community foundation 4550 Post Oak Place, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77027
Announced POD locations
The following locations are Points of Distribution (POD's) supplying ice, water and meals (MRE's) for residents.
The POD sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
Old Kroger Location, FM 2920@HWY 249, Tomball
Greenspoint Harvest Time Baptist Church, 17770 Imperial Valley
Community of Faith, 1023 Pinemont
Fountain of Praise, 13950 Hillcroft
Texas Southern University, 3600 Rosewood at Scott
Ripley House, 4410 Navigation
Zion Lutheran, 3606 Beauchamp
Jim Fonteno Courthouse Annex 14350 Wallisville, Channelview
PAL Gym, 2910 E. Southmore, Pasadena
Baker Junior High, 9700 Spencer Highway, La Porte
San Jacinto Community Center, 604 Highland Woods, Highlands
West Town Mall, 4100 Decker, Baytown
Baytown Courthouse Annex, 701 West Baker, Baytown
Windsor Village, 6000 Heatherbrook,
Greater Jerusalem, 8901 Jensen
Raul C. Martinez Annex, 1001 S. Sgt. Macario Garcia
Football Stadium, Center@San Augustine, Deer Park
Second Baptist, 6400 Woodway
. Bay Area Community Center, 5002 NASA Road One, Seabroo
Loose animal information
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Veterinary Public Health is now operating on extended hours.
People in unincorporated Harris County and the City of Tomball who have lost pets are encouraged to visit the shelter Monday - Friday, 12:00pm - 5:50pm and Saturday, 11:00am - 4:00pm.
Due to communication problems, the website animal photos are currently not available. Technicians hope to have the problem solved soon.
Animal Control Officers are on the streets looking for lost pets and possibly aggressive animals. People are urged to be careful around strange animals. Citizens should leave pet rescue to people trained in handling frightened and aggressive animals.
To report loose animals or animal bite cases, call your area animal control agency:
Unincorporated Harris County 281-999-3191
City of Tomball 281-999-3191
City of Humble 281-446-2327
City of Houston Shelter Services only (report bites to HPD)
City of LaPorte 281-842-1307
City of Sugarland 281-275-2596
City of Bunkerhill 281-467-9762
From Northwest Chamber of Commerce:
Dear Chamber and Community Friends,
If you have web access, go to www.HoustonNWChamber.org for ongoing updates and resources to assist you in getting your business up and running again. Many of these were provided by Rep. Patricia Harless. She and Rep. Riddle are working hard to bring you what you need!
Note these important notices:
Chamber Volunteers needed to help distribute vitamin water and nutrition bars this week at Office Depot, FM 2920 west of SH 249. Day and time to be announced. Call the Chamber to volunteer for a two-hour shift
HealthFEST will be rescheduled to an upcoming Saturday
All Chamber committee meetings and the Small Business workshop will not be held this week.
The New Member Reception scheduled this Friday 8 am may take place as the decision will be made tomorrow
It has yet to be determined if the Chamber Executive Committee will meet Wed., 4pm at the Chamber
Need a generator? Click HERE
Important SBA information: page one and page two
As of this writing, three area hotels may have rooms: Hilton Garden Inn NW on SH 249- 832-912-1000, Ramada Inn Houston North on I-45 - 281-821-2570 and America’s Vest Value Inn on I-45 - 281-821-1000.
For those seeking help, go to www.211texas.org
Since 29 counties are declared a disaster area, displaced workers may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Workers must file by Oct 15th by calling 1-800-939-6631 or log on to www.texasworkforce.org
A FEMA POD is operating at the old Kroger store site at SH 249 and FM 2920 distributing MREs, two bags of ice/family and bottled water.
TxDOT crews begin recovery and cleanup
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is actively engaged in recovery and clean up operations along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Ike, as conditions allow. Crews from across the state are entering the affected areas to assess damage and clear the way for the multi-agency recovery effort led by the State of Texas.
Approximately 75 pieces of heavy equipment and 85 TxDOT employees from San Antonio, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Yoakum and Pharr departed in a convoy from Yoakum at 8 a.m. CDT on Saturday for the Houston and Beaumont areas. This crew will meet up with crews in Houston and Beaumont this morning to assist with clearing roads for emergency response teams. Crews of a similar size and makeup are positioned in Bryan and south Dallas and will respond from those locales as soon as winds subside to safe levels.
This 250 employee deployment from 10 inland TxDOT districts will join the nearly 1200 employees in Houston and Beaumont to open roads after Ike passes. District Engineers in Yoakum, Bryan and Dallas are providing safety briefings to crews before they deploy to impacted areas.
Safety is our first priority. All of our crews will have extensive safety briefings before they enter the danger area. They will confront dangers including high water, snakes, down powerlines and other dangerous debris.
The first priority for TxDOT crews will be to assess damage and clear the way for the multi-agency recovery effort led by the State of Texas.
TxDOT crews make assessments about which roads and bridges can be quickly repaired and reopened and which roads and bridges need to remain closed for the time being.
Local officials will decide when it is safe for residents to reenter a neighborhood affected by the hurricane. TxDOT will do our part to get recovery efforts under and get folks home as soon as possible.
TxDOT crews are looking for damage from wind, water and debris. That includesdamage to pavement, guardrails, signal lights and bridge supports.
TxDOT bridge experts from across the state will be in the area to check for the scouring of supports, damage to guardrails and the driving surfaces. If a bridge or road is not safe for travel, it will be closed until it is fixed.
Drivers should wait for confirmation from local officials that it is safe to travel.
Drivers should obey all traffic signs, warnings and barricades. Moving a barricade can result in jail time and a thousand dollar fine. As little as six inches of rain can float a car, so motorists should stay on roads that are open and safe.
Repairing signal lights will be a priority for TxDOT crews. Replacement kits are arriving from across the state, but the lights, traffic cameras and dynamic message signs will not come back on until power is restored. The recovery is a team effort.
Corps to survey waterways
Houston, TX - The Corps of Engineers Galveston District is working with its partners the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, pilots, contractor Terrasond, and the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association to move assets into place to survey Texas waterways in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.
“Our goal is to get these waterways open as soon as possible,” said Colonel David C. Weston, Galveston District commander. “We know how critical they are to our nation’s economy and industry, and, weather permitting, we will begin today.”
The Corps has a rigorous schedule set up to conduct hydrographic and side scan sonar surveys of the Houston/Galveston Bay complex and the Sabine Neches Waterway, according to Joe Hrametz, chief of the Navigation Branch. “Our goal is to survey these waterways in the next two days,” he said. “Challenges, including the weather, debris in or adjacent to the channels, and sea states will impact recovery time. We will execute as fast as safety considerations allow. We are also looking at beginning to survey Freeport, Matagorda, the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, the Victoria Barge Channel, and Chocolate Bayou today. We are using 17 survey boats to attack this issue.”
The Houston/Galveston Bay complex includes the Port of Houston, Port of Galveston, Port of Texas City, Green’s Bayou, Bayport and Barbers Terminals, and the Sabine Neches Waterway includes the Ports of Orange, Beaumont, and Port Arthur.
The U.S. Coast Guard, working with the Corps as partners in the Texas Joint Hurricane Response Team, completed center line assessments on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from the Corpus Christi area to the Colorado River locks, and they will make a decision on that part of the GIWW today.
The Corps partners with the Coast Guard, NOAA, and the GICA as part of the Texas Joint Hurricane Response Team during hurricanes to work to survey and open the coastal waterways.
Refuge for pets available
Barks 5th Avenue is open and available to receive pets for boarding, grooming and shelter in the wake of Hurricane Ike.
The Northwest Houston facility successfully weathered the storm caring for more than 60 pets and has power and water fully restored. Staff remained on-hand throughout the storm to supervise conditions and monitor all pets in their care. Staff will remain on-site around the clock throughout the week in order to receive additional pets and care for the animals boarded at the facility.
“We are fully operational and are here to help pet owners by taking in dogs and cats while they make repairs to their homes,” stated owner Pennie Mahon. “If people are missing fences, have additional family or friends in their homes while the city recovers, we want them to know we can help by taking their animals and caring for them at this time.”
Pet owners looking for a location to board pets or have pets groomed are encouraged to contact the shop at 281-970-2284 or Ms. Mahon via cell phone or text message at 832-443-6780.
Barks 5th Avenue is located at 10620 FM 1960 West at the intersection of Jones Road. The facility is a full-service boarding and grooming. For more information, please visit www.barksfifthave.com.
FEMA: Don’t return to damaged areas prematurely
Emergency management officials are appealing to residents of Texas and Louisiana who evacuated in advance of Hurricane Ike’s landfall to stay put.
“This hurricane has caused devastation across areas of Texas and Louisiana,” said Chief David R. Paulison, Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “Along with our federal, state and local partners, FEMA is working around the clock to get live-saving assistance into the hardest hit areas. We need everyone’s cooperation to keep passable roads clear and to prevent those returning from placing additional burdens on the limited shelter, food and water in the heavily impacted areas.”
Many residents in Texas and Louisiana heeded evacuation orders and made the safe choice to leave areas threatened by Hurricane Ike. Early reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of customers are without power in impacted areas, and for some, it may be many days or weeks before power and other essential utilities are fully restored.
Returning residents could face blocked and washed out roads, downed power lines across highways, unsafe road crossings due to flooding and many other dangers. Many storm related deaths occur when residents return to their communities and homes, a statistic FEMA is trying to minimize in Ike’s wake.
“We know people are anxious to return home, but we are asking for everyone’s patience in waiting for the all clear,” said Paulison. “Our greatest concern is the safety of Texas and Louisiana residents, first responders and rescue workers.”
FEMA pre-staged emergency response teams and critical commodities such as water and meals ready-to-eat (MREs), and tarps in strategic locations in Texas and Louisiana. Convoys of supplies are moving into heavily impacted areas but with many roads damaged or impassable, it may be several days before emergency workers are able to reach all the victims of Ike.
FEMA recommends that evacuees tune to local news coverage wherever they are located for ongoing response and recovery information. Federal, state and local officials will work with the media in these areas to communicate emergency information as it becomes available.
FEMA also reemphasized that volunteers should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a voluntary agency. Self-dispatched volunteers can put themselves and others in harm's way and hamper rescue efforts. To learn how you can volunteer or how to make a donation, go to the www.fema.gov
Pet hotline open
In support of the Hurricane Ike emergency response, the Houston SPCA has launched the Animal Rescue line to report lost or found animals and to report animal related information. The Animal Rescue line will remain open until 6:00 pm today and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm in the following days. The Pet Hotline phone number is 713-861-0161.
Campgrounds offer extended stay discounts
Evacuees are encouraged to wait out the storm in campgrounds and RV parks in the central Texas Hill County and East Texas, since many within 100 to 150 miles of Houston are already filled to capacity
The Texas Association of Campground Owners is encouraging Hurricane Ike evacuees seeking shelter to go to wait out the storm in campgrounds and RV resorts in the Central Texas Hill County and West Texas, since many parks within 150 miles of Houston are already filled to capacity.
“We believe current evacuees will need to remain in RV parks and campgrounds for periods beyond this weekend, and parks will offer them extended stay discounts,” said Brian Schaeffer, executive director and CEO of the Texas Association While many RV parks along the Texas Gulf Coast have been badly damaged, other parks are holding up well. “RV parks and campgrounds across the state are doing a fantastic job of meeting the needs of and offering comfort to evacuees,” Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer urges Hurricane Ike evacuees to log on to TexasCampgrounds.com and check out the "looking for somewhere to stay" reference to make their campground reservations or to gather the phone numbers of campgrounds and RV resorts where they'd like to wait out the storm.
Texas alone has nearly 400 private campgrounds, many of which also offer cabin rentals, Schaeffer said.
Reporters seeking information on how private campgrounds are accommodating Gulf Coast hurricane evacuees are encouraged to contact Brian Schaeffer at (817) 307-0129 or tacoexec@swbell.net.
Additionally, reporters may wish to contact or visit the campgrounds listed below to interview Hurricane Ike evacuees who are waiting out the storm in Texas campgrounds:
Admiralty RV Resort, San Antonio, (210) 647-7878: This park is providing temporary refuge to 76 Rigs 357 evacuees and 300 pets.
East Lucas RV Park, Beaumont, (800) 280-2579: Winds are howling and this park just had a huge tree fall, splitting a fifth wheel in half. There were no injuries.
Guadalupe River RV Park, Kerrville, (830) 367-5676: This park has hired a band to entertain hurricane evacuees.
Pecan Park Campground, San Marcos, (888) 808-7181: This park has many evacuees who have lost their homes to the hurricane.
Skytraqs RV Resort, Frankston, 903-876-4607: This park is filled with evacuees, including two families who stayed at the same park during Hurricane Rita in 2005. One family has a child that must have a ventilator at night and a very ill grandmother who is bedridden.
Texarkana KOA, (903) 793-7517: This park is hosting about 40 hurricane evacuees.
President declares major disaster The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of Texas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Ike beginning on September 7, 2008, and continuing.FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush. The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington Counties.The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington Counties for debris removal, including direct Federal assistance.Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.Paulison named Sandy Coachman as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.Coachman said that damage surveys have been scheduled and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed in the affected areas.FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.Simulcast events cancelled indefinitely at Sam Houston Race Park Sam Houston Race Park (www.shrp.com) will remain closed indefinitely for simulcast racing events due to complications caused by Hurricane Ike. Administrative offices, including the Racing Office, will be open on Wednesday, Sept. 17 through Friday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.shrp.com or call 281-807-8760.Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located 15 minutes from downtown Houston, and offers a variety of attractions including 19 luxury suites overlooking the race track, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and Jockey Club. The Park’s newest addition, The Showgrounds, is an all-ages venue that hosts annual Country, Classic Rock and Contemporary concert events throughout the year. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.theshowgrounds.com.The Galleria, Katy Mills, Houston Premium Outlets back in business The Galleria, Katy Mills and Houston Premium Outlets are back in business this week and ready to serve the community as the Greater Houston area recovers from Hurricane Ike.- The Galleria now has 355 of its 375 retailers open for business, and will continue to observe abbreviated hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, returning to regular business hours on Wednesday, Sept. 17. To assist families in need, The Galleria has partnered with the Houston Food Bank to accept donations of water and nonperishable food items at the Simon Guest Services Desk. The Galleria will also accept monetary donations for the Salvation Army at this location.- Katy Mills now has 175 of its 200 retailers open for business. The center will return to normal business hours on Wednesday, Sept. 17 to provide Katy and surrounding communities a place for relief.- Houston Premium Outlets has all retailers up and running with the exception of three, and will observe abbreviated hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16 and will return to regular business hours on Wednesday, Sept. 17.With hundreds of thousands of Greater Houston residents still without power, these community centers are happy to open their doors to those seeking a cool place to visit, electricity, restaurants and other services.The GalleriaTuesday, Sept. 16 - Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Wednesday, Sept. 17 - Regular Business Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.5085 Westheimer RoadHouston, TX 77056Katy MillsTuesday, Sept. 16 - Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Wednesday, Sept 17 - Regular Business Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.5000 Katy Mills CircleKaty, TX 77494Houston Premium OutletsTuesday, Sept. 16 - Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Wednesday, Sept. 17 - Regular Business Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.29300 Hempstead RoadCypress, TX 77433SHOPPING LINES:The Galleria: 713-622-0663Katy Mills: 281-644-5000Houston Premium Outlets: 281-304-5820
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services is urging citizens of Harris County to avoid open burning of storm and tree debris created from Hurricane Ike. This includes tree branches and wooden fences.
Improperly controlled burning of debris not only is a potential fire hazard but can also produce smoke that can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Smoke can be much more harmful to people with lung problems such as asthma. Also, open burning has a negative effect on air quality.
Place all debris near the street and work with your local jurisdiction or precinct personnel to dispose of the debris.
The removal of this large amount of debris will take some time and your patience is requested in this matter.
Houston Ike relief fund
Houston Mayor Bill White announced the formation of a fund to help those impacted by Hurricane Ike. The Houston Ike Relief Fund will be used to help fill unmet needs.
To make cash donations send to the following address:
HOUSTON IKE RELIEF FUND
C/O Greater Houston Community foundation 4550 Post Oak Place, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77027
Announced POD locations
The following locations are Points of Distribution (POD's) supplying ice, water and meals (MRE's) for residents.
The POD sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
Old Kroger Location, FM 2920@HWY 249, Tomball
Greenspoint Harvest Time Baptist Church, 17770 Imperial Valley
Community of Faith, 1023 Pinemont
Fountain of Praise, 13950 Hillcroft
Texas Southern University, 3600 Rosewood at Scott
Ripley House, 4410 Navigation
Zion Lutheran, 3606 Beauchamp
Jim Fonteno Courthouse Annex 14350 Wallisville, Channelview
PAL Gym, 2910 E. Southmore, Pasadena
Baker Junior High, 9700 Spencer Highway, La Porte
San Jacinto Community Center, 604 Highland Woods, Highlands
West Town Mall, 4100 Decker, Baytown
Baytown Courthouse Annex, 701 West Baker, Baytown
Windsor Village, 6000 Heatherbrook,
Greater Jerusalem, 8901 Jensen
Raul C. Martinez Annex, 1001 S. Sgt. Macario Garcia
Football Stadium, Center@San Augustine, Deer Park
Second Baptist, 6400 Woodway
. Bay Area Community Center, 5002 NASA Road One, Seabroo
Loose animal information
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Veterinary Public Health is now operating on extended hours.
People in unincorporated Harris County and the City of Tomball who have lost pets are encouraged to visit the shelter Monday - Friday, 12:00pm - 5:50pm and Saturday, 11:00am - 4:00pm.
Due to communication problems, the website animal photos are currently not available. Technicians hope to have the problem solved soon.
Animal Control Officers are on the streets looking for lost pets and possibly aggressive animals. People are urged to be careful around strange animals. Citizens should leave pet rescue to people trained in handling frightened and aggressive animals.
To report loose animals or animal bite cases, call your area animal control agency:
Unincorporated Harris County 281-999-3191
City of Tomball 281-999-3191
City of Humble 281-446-2327
City of Houston Shelter Services only (report bites to HPD)
City of LaPorte 281-842-1307
City of Sugarland 281-275-2596
City of Bunkerhill 281-467-9762
From Northwest Chamber of Commerce:
Dear Chamber and Community Friends,
If you have web access, go to www.HoustonNWChamber.org for ongoing updates and resources to assist you in getting your business up and running again. Many of these were provided by Rep. Patricia Harless. She and Rep. Riddle are working hard to bring you what you need!
Note these important notices:
Chamber Volunteers needed to help distribute vitamin water and nutrition bars this week at Office Depot, FM 2920 west of SH 249. Day and time to be announced. Call the Chamber to volunteer for a two-hour shift
HealthFEST will be rescheduled to an upcoming Saturday
All Chamber committee meetings and the Small Business workshop will not be held this week.
The New Member Reception scheduled this Friday 8 am may take place as the decision will be made tomorrow
It has yet to be determined if the Chamber Executive Committee will meet Wed., 4pm at the Chamber
Need a generator? Click HERE
Important SBA information: page one and page two
As of this writing, three area hotels may have rooms: Hilton Garden Inn NW on SH 249- 832-912-1000, Ramada Inn Houston North on I-45 - 281-821-2570 and America’s Vest Value Inn on I-45 - 281-821-1000.
For those seeking help, go to www.211texas.org
Since 29 counties are declared a disaster area, displaced workers may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Workers must file by Oct 15th by calling 1-800-939-6631 or log on to www.texasworkforce.org
A FEMA POD is operating at the old Kroger store site at SH 249 and FM 2920 distributing MREs, two bags of ice/family and bottled water.
TxDOT crews begin recovery and cleanup
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is actively engaged in recovery and clean up operations along the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Ike, as conditions allow. Crews from across the state are entering the affected areas to assess damage and clear the way for the multi-agency recovery effort led by the State of Texas.
Approximately 75 pieces of heavy equipment and 85 TxDOT employees from San Antonio, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Yoakum and Pharr departed in a convoy from Yoakum at 8 a.m. CDT on Saturday for the Houston and Beaumont areas. This crew will meet up with crews in Houston and Beaumont this morning to assist with clearing roads for emergency response teams. Crews of a similar size and makeup are positioned in Bryan and south Dallas and will respond from those locales as soon as winds subside to safe levels.
This 250 employee deployment from 10 inland TxDOT districts will join the nearly 1200 employees in Houston and Beaumont to open roads after Ike passes. District Engineers in Yoakum, Bryan and Dallas are providing safety briefings to crews before they deploy to impacted areas.
Safety is our first priority. All of our crews will have extensive safety briefings before they enter the danger area. They will confront dangers including high water, snakes, down powerlines and other dangerous debris.
The first priority for TxDOT crews will be to assess damage and clear the way for the multi-agency recovery effort led by the State of Texas.
TxDOT crews make assessments about which roads and bridges can be quickly repaired and reopened and which roads and bridges need to remain closed for the time being.
Local officials will decide when it is safe for residents to reenter a neighborhood affected by the hurricane. TxDOT will do our part to get recovery efforts under and get folks home as soon as possible.
TxDOT crews are looking for damage from wind, water and debris. That includesdamage to pavement, guardrails, signal lights and bridge supports.
TxDOT bridge experts from across the state will be in the area to check for the scouring of supports, damage to guardrails and the driving surfaces. If a bridge or road is not safe for travel, it will be closed until it is fixed.
Drivers should wait for confirmation from local officials that it is safe to travel.
Drivers should obey all traffic signs, warnings and barricades. Moving a barricade can result in jail time and a thousand dollar fine. As little as six inches of rain can float a car, so motorists should stay on roads that are open and safe.
Repairing signal lights will be a priority for TxDOT crews. Replacement kits are arriving from across the state, but the lights, traffic cameras and dynamic message signs will not come back on until power is restored. The recovery is a team effort.
Corps to survey waterways
Houston, TX - The Corps of Engineers Galveston District is working with its partners the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, pilots, contractor Terrasond, and the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association to move assets into place to survey Texas waterways in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.
“Our goal is to get these waterways open as soon as possible,” said Colonel David C. Weston, Galveston District commander. “We know how critical they are to our nation’s economy and industry, and, weather permitting, we will begin today.”
The Corps has a rigorous schedule set up to conduct hydrographic and side scan sonar surveys of the Houston/Galveston Bay complex and the Sabine Neches Waterway, according to Joe Hrametz, chief of the Navigation Branch. “Our goal is to survey these waterways in the next two days,” he said. “Challenges, including the weather, debris in or adjacent to the channels, and sea states will impact recovery time. We will execute as fast as safety considerations allow. We are also looking at beginning to survey Freeport, Matagorda, the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, the Victoria Barge Channel, and Chocolate Bayou today. We are using 17 survey boats to attack this issue.”
The Houston/Galveston Bay complex includes the Port of Houston, Port of Galveston, Port of Texas City, Green’s Bayou, Bayport and Barbers Terminals, and the Sabine Neches Waterway includes the Ports of Orange, Beaumont, and Port Arthur.
The U.S. Coast Guard, working with the Corps as partners in the Texas Joint Hurricane Response Team, completed center line assessments on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from the Corpus Christi area to the Colorado River locks, and they will make a decision on that part of the GIWW today.
The Corps partners with the Coast Guard, NOAA, and the GICA as part of the Texas Joint Hurricane Response Team during hurricanes to work to survey and open the coastal waterways.
Refuge for pets available
Barks 5th Avenue is open and available to receive pets for boarding, grooming and shelter in the wake of Hurricane Ike.
The Northwest Houston facility successfully weathered the storm caring for more than 60 pets and has power and water fully restored. Staff remained on-hand throughout the storm to supervise conditions and monitor all pets in their care. Staff will remain on-site around the clock throughout the week in order to receive additional pets and care for the animals boarded at the facility.
“We are fully operational and are here to help pet owners by taking in dogs and cats while they make repairs to their homes,” stated owner Pennie Mahon. “If people are missing fences, have additional family or friends in their homes while the city recovers, we want them to know we can help by taking their animals and caring for them at this time.”
Pet owners looking for a location to board pets or have pets groomed are encouraged to contact the shop at 281-970-2284 or Ms. Mahon via cell phone or text message at 832-443-6780.
Barks 5th Avenue is located at 10620 FM 1960 West at the intersection of Jones Road. The facility is a full-service boarding and grooming. For more information, please visit www.barksfifthave.com.
FEMA: Don’t return to damaged areas prematurely
Emergency management officials are appealing to residents of Texas and Louisiana who evacuated in advance of Hurricane Ike’s landfall to stay put.
“This hurricane has caused devastation across areas of Texas and Louisiana,” said Chief David R. Paulison, Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “Along with our federal, state and local partners, FEMA is working around the clock to get live-saving assistance into the hardest hit areas. We need everyone’s cooperation to keep passable roads clear and to prevent those returning from placing additional burdens on the limited shelter, food and water in the heavily impacted areas.”
Many residents in Texas and Louisiana heeded evacuation orders and made the safe choice to leave areas threatened by Hurricane Ike. Early reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of customers are without power in impacted areas, and for some, it may be many days or weeks before power and other essential utilities are fully restored.
Returning residents could face blocked and washed out roads, downed power lines across highways, unsafe road crossings due to flooding and many other dangers. Many storm related deaths occur when residents return to their communities and homes, a statistic FEMA is trying to minimize in Ike’s wake.
“We know people are anxious to return home, but we are asking for everyone’s patience in waiting for the all clear,” said Paulison. “Our greatest concern is the safety of Texas and Louisiana residents, first responders and rescue workers.”
FEMA pre-staged emergency response teams and critical commodities such as water and meals ready-to-eat (MREs), and tarps in strategic locations in Texas and Louisiana. Convoys of supplies are moving into heavily impacted areas but with many roads damaged or impassable, it may be several days before emergency workers are able to reach all the victims of Ike.
FEMA recommends that evacuees tune to local news coverage wherever they are located for ongoing response and recovery information. Federal, state and local officials will work with the media in these areas to communicate emergency information as it becomes available.
FEMA also reemphasized that volunteers should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a voluntary agency. Self-dispatched volunteers can put themselves and others in harm's way and hamper rescue efforts. To learn how you can volunteer or how to make a donation, go to the www.fema.gov
Pet hotline open
In support of the Hurricane Ike emergency response, the Houston SPCA has launched the Animal Rescue line to report lost or found animals and to report animal related information. The Animal Rescue line will remain open until 6:00 pm today and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm in the following days. The Pet Hotline phone number is 713-861-0161.
Campgrounds offer extended stay discounts
Evacuees are encouraged to wait out the storm in campgrounds and RV parks in the central Texas Hill County and East Texas, since many within 100 to 150 miles of Houston are already filled to capacity
The Texas Association of Campground Owners is encouraging Hurricane Ike evacuees seeking shelter to go to wait out the storm in campgrounds and RV resorts in the Central Texas Hill County and West Texas, since many parks within 150 miles of Houston are already filled to capacity.
“We believe current evacuees will need to remain in RV parks and campgrounds for periods beyond this weekend, and parks will offer them extended stay discounts,” said Brian Schaeffer, executive director and CEO of the Texas Association While many RV parks along the Texas Gulf Coast have been badly damaged, other parks are holding up well. “RV parks and campgrounds across the state are doing a fantastic job of meeting the needs of and offering comfort to evacuees,” Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer urges Hurricane Ike evacuees to log on to TexasCampgrounds.com and check out the "looking for somewhere to stay" reference to make their campground reservations or to gather the phone numbers of campgrounds and RV resorts where they'd like to wait out the storm.
Texas alone has nearly 400 private campgrounds, many of which also offer cabin rentals, Schaeffer said.
Reporters seeking information on how private campgrounds are accommodating Gulf Coast hurricane evacuees are encouraged to contact Brian Schaeffer at (817) 307-0129 or tacoexec@swbell.net.
Additionally, reporters may wish to contact or visit the campgrounds listed below to interview Hurricane Ike evacuees who are waiting out the storm in Texas campgrounds:
Admiralty RV Resort, San Antonio, (210) 647-7878: This park is providing temporary refuge to 76 Rigs 357 evacuees and 300 pets.
East Lucas RV Park, Beaumont, (800) 280-2579: Winds are howling and this park just had a huge tree fall, splitting a fifth wheel in half. There were no injuries.
Guadalupe River RV Park, Kerrville, (830) 367-5676: This park has hired a band to entertain hurricane evacuees.
Pecan Park Campground, San Marcos, (888) 808-7181: This park has many evacuees who have lost their homes to the hurricane.
Skytraqs RV Resort, Frankston, 903-876-4607: This park is filled with evacuees, including two families who stayed at the same park during Hurricane Rita in 2005. One family has a child that must have a ventilator at night and a very ill grandmother who is bedridden.
Texarkana KOA, (903) 793-7517: This park is hosting about 40 hurricane evacuees.
President declares major disaster The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of Texas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Ike beginning on September 7, 2008, and continuing.FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush. The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington Counties.The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington Counties for debris removal, including direct Federal assistance.Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.Paulison named Sandy Coachman as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.Coachman said that damage surveys have been scheduled and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed in the affected areas.FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.Simulcast events cancelled indefinitely at Sam Houston Race Park Sam Houston Race Park (www.shrp.com) will remain closed indefinitely for simulcast racing events due to complications caused by Hurricane Ike. Administrative offices, including the Racing Office, will be open on Wednesday, Sept. 17 through Friday, Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.shrp.com or call 281-807-8760.Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located 15 minutes from downtown Houston, and offers a variety of attractions including 19 luxury suites overlooking the race track, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and Jockey Club. The Park’s newest addition, The Showgrounds, is an all-ages venue that hosts annual Country, Classic Rock and Contemporary concert events throughout the year. For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.theshowgrounds.com.The Galleria, Katy Mills, Houston Premium Outlets back in business The Galleria, Katy Mills and Houston Premium Outlets are back in business this week and ready to serve the community as the Greater Houston area recovers from Hurricane Ike.- The Galleria now has 355 of its 375 retailers open for business, and will continue to observe abbreviated hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, returning to regular business hours on Wednesday, Sept. 17. To assist families in need, The Galleria has partnered with the Houston Food Bank to accept donations of water and nonperishable food items at the Simon Guest Services Desk. The Galleria will also accept monetary donations for the Salvation Army at this location.- Katy Mills now has 175 of its 200 retailers open for business. The center will return to normal business hours on Wednesday, Sept. 17 to provide Katy and surrounding communities a place for relief.- Houston Premium Outlets has all retailers up and running with the exception of three, and will observe abbreviated hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16 and will return to regular business hours on Wednesday, Sept. 17.With hundreds of thousands of Greater Houston residents still without power, these community centers are happy to open their doors to those seeking a cool place to visit, electricity, restaurants and other services.The GalleriaTuesday, Sept. 16 - Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Wednesday, Sept. 17 - Regular Business Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.5085 Westheimer RoadHouston, TX 77056Katy MillsTuesday, Sept. 16 - Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Wednesday, Sept 17 - Regular Business Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.5000 Katy Mills CircleKaty, TX 77494Houston Premium OutletsTuesday, Sept. 16 - Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Wednesday, Sept. 17 - Regular Business Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.29300 Hempstead RoadCypress, TX 77433SHOPPING LINES:The Galleria: 713-622-0663Katy Mills: 281-644-5000Houston Premium Outlets: 281-304-5820
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