Hurricane Ike Recovery

Discuss the recovery and aftermath of landfalling hurricanes. Please be sensitive to those that have been directly impacted. Political threads will be deleted without notice. This is the place to come together not divide.

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CajunMama
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Hurricane Ike Recovery

#1 Postby CajunMama » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:24 pm

Thankfully horrible ike is gone and the long road to recovery has begun. The thread in active storms will be closed shortly and we can continue the discussion here. I would imagine that we'll be talking about the recovery for a long time, just as we have other storms.
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#2 Postby Shoshana » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:10 pm

Power back on in downtown Beaumont, some hospitals


BEAUMONT, Texas — Entergy Texas predicts it will finish its assessment of damage from Hurricane Ike across most of its 15,000-square-mile service area by Monday night.

Once that's done, Entergy will figure out how best to deploy an army of about 14,000 repair workers from more than 30 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.

Entergy has managed to reconnect about 10,000 customers so far out of 392,000 who lost power when Ike came ashore Saturday morning.

There's a bit of good news: Entergy Texas spokesman Dave Caplan tells The Beaumont Enterprise that the utility's major 500-kilovolt line called the Hartburg line -- is running. After Hurricane Rita, in September 2005, it took about 10 days to revive that line.

The utility has reconnected hospitals in Beaumont and Orange so far and restored power to much of downtown Beaumont.
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#3 Postby Mattie » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:47 pm

It gets "curiouser and curiouser" . . .

Galveston County
Daily News

Monday, September 15 | Texas' Oldest Newspaper: Since 1842

Galveston officials begin to restrict media access

By Rhiannon Meyers
The Daily News

Published September 15, 2008
GALVESTON — Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas on Monday ordered all city employees not to talk to news reporters. She did not say when that order would be lifted.

Thomas and City Manager Steve LeBlanc will be the only officials allowed to talk to reporters.

City spokeswoman Mary Jo Naschke vehemently denied the city was trying to clamp down on news coverage.

She said emergency personnel and city employees were too busy to talk to reporters. Naschke also said the city had been accommodating news reporters by allowing them access to the island when others weren't allowed, giving them escorted rides to damaged areas and allowing them to move about outside during a curfew.

But at a noon press conference on Monday, Thomas and LeBlanc talked for less than 30 minutes and refused to answer any more than five questions. Thomas said she would try to hold another press conference Tuesday.

Daily News reporters who tried to speak to city employees at rescue sites were denied information and told no one was authorized to talk to them except for the mayor and city manager.

"It's the worst thing the city could do. Those who will suffer most are evacuees," Publisher Dolph Tillotson said in statement via text message from the island. "The media will have to turn to other sources that might be less reliable. I can't imagine a dumber move under these extreme circumstances."

Before the press conference started Monday, LeBlanc asked reporters whether he could go off the record. Some television crews agreed and turned their cameras off. LeBlanc then asked news crews to urge their bosses and managers to show more coverage of the island on television because evacuees didn't care about what was happening in Houston.

All reporters who were staying at the city's emergency operations center, stationed at the San Luis Hotel, were asked to leave Monday. San Luis hotel owner Tilman Fertitta was housing reporters at the nearby Hilton Hotel, which he also owns.

Reporters would be allowed on the island, but only if they had proper identification, Thomas said. She didn't clarify what that meant.

Reporters were also forbidden from visiting areas on the far West End of FM 3005, Thomas said. She did not explain why.
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#4 Postby Shoshana » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:39 pm

I've been reading rumors about all kinds of restrictions ... this can't be good.

Oh... things that make you go hmm..

khou.com

Galveston officials say concerns about the stability of the Galveston Causeway could delay re-entry.

A Galveston County emergency management official confirmed to KHOU.com that there would be an assessment of the causeways structural integrity within the next few days.


statesman.com

The Interstate 45 causeway between the mainland and Galveston Island, contrary to early dire assessments, is structurally sound and has little or no pavement degradation, Othon said. The southbound lanes remain closed because officials don't want anyone other than emergency officials or others with special authorization to enter Galveston.
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#5 Postby cycloneye » Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:04 pm

Bumping for members to continue the discussion of Ikes Aftermath here.
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#6 Postby cycloneye » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:07 pm

Saving Animals in the disaster zone:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26747431/

Image
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#7 Postby southerngale » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:37 pm

If you have Entergy and still don't have power, they have a timeline set up for expected completed restorations. Click here. Also, as of 4:30 p.m. today, they had restored 18% of their Texas customers. The 18% is up from 15% last night, but there should be another update sometime tonight. 94% of Ike's Louisiana outages have been restored.

We're still in Fort Worth. Hoping to go home soon...
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#8 Postby southerngale » Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:18 pm

For anyone looking for info on B.I.S.D., the website is down and they have an emergency site up. It's http://www.bmtisd.com

Beaumont ISD Emergency Information

BISD Emergency Information - Latest Update: September 15, 2008 @ 9:00pm - BISD remains closed this week; disaster recovery team on board


[ Due to HURRICANE IKE, BISD's regular webserver is currently DOWN ]

NEWS RELEASE
Beaumont Independent School District, 3395 Harrison Ave., Beaumont, Texas 77706

BISD remains closed this week; disaster recovery team on board

BEAUMONT, Texas--A disaster recovery company is on the grounds at 32 schools and other facilities of the Beaumont Independent School District where Hurricane Ike ravished several roofs, blew away a number of doors and left water damage that impacted a number of classrooms, gymnasiums, auditoriums and administrative offices.

BISD Superintendent Carrol Thomas, Ed.D., has been on site since Sunday, the day after Hurricane Ike caused devastation in Southeast Texas and several other areas, hitting Beaumont with winds in excess of 100 miles per hour that downed power lines and trees and damaged homes, businesses and government facilities throughout the region. Water surges coupled with heavy rains resulted in flooding and more water damage to many structures.

“BISD suffered some damages, but certainly not as severe as those brought on by Hurricane Rita three years ago. Right now, the disaster recovery company brought on board is getting temporary roofs in place, removing water from several buildings and readying to remove and replace damaged ceiling tiles, walls and floors. The team is paying special attention to the remediation and prevention of any mold or mildew. Once this immediate work is done in preparation to receive employees and students back into the district, we will have another firm in to certify the air quality for safety and move forth with getting back into full swing of what we do--educating children,” Dr. Thomas explained.

Thomas said that students and employees will not be returning this week. However, he encourages them to stay tuned to the district’s emergency website (http://www.bmtisd.com) for updates on when they may return. “Our return for full operation, including classes, is dependent on when the City of Beaumont lifts the mandatory evacuation order and when Entergy Corporation restores electrical power needed to operate the schools and for families to function in their homes. When those two components are in place, we will be able to give an exact date of when schools will be open again,” he added.

The veteran superintendent said while the district is closed indefinitely and until further notice, parents are encouraged to make sure their child or children study their lessons, complete their currently assigned homework, read and get ahead on as much of their academic studies as possible. He said there is the possibility that the district will have to have some make-up days for days missed during the evacuation, however, he does not anticipate being out very long.

Additionally, according to Thomas, he has talked with BISD Board of Trustees President Woodrow Reece who is confident that the entire school board will agree on employees pay being continued through this hurricane and evacuation crisis.

“I want our students, employees and their families to be safe. That is our utmost priority for them. Then, I want the students to focus on their academics so that they won’t miss a beat upon their return. We are doing all we can to get the district fully operational as soon as possible and look forward to their return when it is appropriate,” the superintendent added.

Helpful sites for evacuees--
http://www.fema.gov
http://www.redcross.org
http://www.salvationarmy.org
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#9 Postby southerngale » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:55 am

:(

Port Arthur Woman Killed in Generator Accident


September 18, 2008 - 1:31AM
Nicole Murray

Port Arthur police say a woman was killed Wednesday evening when the family's generator caught fire.

It happened at 7:40p.m. in the 1900 block of Neches Ave. Officers say upon arrival they say smoke and flames.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officers believe it occurred while the woman was refueling the generator.

Fire officials recommend before refueling a generator, turn it off and let it cool. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts could cause it to ignite.
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#10 Postby Melly » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:55 am

I'm still evacuated from this storm, we are waiting for power to be restored, my husband went back 2days ago, and our home is fine, praise God.

However some of our friends wasnt so fortunit, they lost everything :(

If you Google "Frank Sherman Hurricane Ike" you can read about one of our neighbors at our cabin on Crystal Beach. Our cabin is gone as well.
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#11 Postby southerngale » Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:22 am

Beaumont Mayor, Becky Ames, announced today that the Mandatory Evacuation Order issued on September 11, 2008 for the City of Beaumont, will be terminated effective at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday September 20, 2008. Regarding special needs citizens, the Beaumont Emergency Operations Center will be working with the State of Texas to coordinate their return. The current curfew, 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM will be maintained until further notice. Although the evacuation order is being rescinded , residents are cautioned to exercise discretion in making the decision about whether to return. Entergy has restored power to only about 50% of the City of Beaumont and the effort continues. We remain with limited food, fuel, medical and retail resources and living conditions are not as they were when our citizens evacuated. The fuel resources are severely strained and returning residents may face the unavailability of gasoline. The "Boil Water" Notice for Beaumont is still in place due to the salt water intrusion. The sewer system is powered by generator but is fully operational. Power remains out in many areas despite the hard work and dedication of utility workers from our area and around the nation. Additionally, many traffic signals remain damaged or without power. For this reason, residents are strongly urged to stop and exercise extreme caution when approaching intersections. Obviously, our area has suffered a catastrophic event. Citizens are reminded to exercise restraint and patience during the recovery efforts as it will take some time before all public services return to normal. All your local governments remain committed to working with citizens, local utility providers, state and federal authorities and disaster remediation contractors to assist in restoring our area as quickly as is possible under the circumstances. I have no doubt that the people of southeast Texas will pull together, as they have in the past, to assist in this effort.

Jefferson County Emergency Management

Jefferson County Judge, Ron Walker, announced today that the Mandatory Evacuation Order issued on September 11, 2008 will be terminated effective at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday September 20, 2008. Each city within Jefferson County will also be rescinding their respective evacuation orders. Regarding special needs citizens, Emergency Managers for the County and Cities will be working with the State of Texas to coordinate their return. Each municipality will be contacting their respective point-to-point shelters to facilitate such return. All cities within Jefferson County will be issuing information to the media relating to their specific situations. Some localities may have varying curfew hours. The Jefferson County curfew order will be in effect between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Although the County evacuation order is being rescinded, residents are cautioned to exercise discretion in making the decision about whether to return. Great strides have been made in the recovery efforts due to the heroic and ceaseless efforts of thousands of first responders in our area. However, there still exist numerous obstacles to complete restoration. We remain with limited food, fuel, medical and retail resources and living conditions are not as they were when our citizens evacuated. The fuel resources are severely strained and returning residents may face the unavailability of gasoline. Several municipalities have boil restrictions in place for their water supplies, some sewer systems are operating below capacity, and power remains out in many areas despite the hard work and dedication of utility workers from our area and around the nation. Additionally, many traffic signals remain damaged or without power. For this reason, residents are strongly urged to stop and exercise extreme caution when approaching inte! rsections. Obviously, our area has suffered a catastrophic event. Citizens are reminded to exercise restraint and patience during the recovery efforts as it will take some time before all public services return to normal. All your local governments remain committed to working with citizens, local utility providers, state and federal authorities and disaster remediation contractors to assist in restoring our area as quickly as is possible under the circumstances. I have no doubt that the people of southeast Texas will pull together, as they have in the past, to assist in this effort.



City of Port Arthur:

Although the Evacuation Order will be lifted, Port Arthur citizens are urged to use discretion in deciding on whether or not to return to Port Arthur.

Power has not been restored in much of the city and there are limited food, fuel and medical services available. Living conditions are not back normal since the landfall of Hurricane Ike.

Some of the surrounding cities do not have some services available just as Port Arthur has a decreased amount of resources available to citizens.

Many traffic signals and traffic devices were destroyed in the hurricane and this makes intersections of the city very dangerous especially at night. These intersections shall be treated as 4-way stop intersections.

There are still a large number of restoration workers in the area with large trucks and equipment which can hinder the normal routes of navigation around the city.

Citizens will need to exercise more than normal patience if they return to the area.

Hwy. 73 remains closed coming into Port Arthur or leaving Port Arthur. The Dept. of Public Safety has NO definite date for re-opening Hwy 73. Hwy 73 is still unsafe due to debris and a barge on the Highway.

The curfew will be modified beginning Friday, 9-19-08 and will be 8pm-5am. All utility/restoration workers shall be exempt from this curfew.

http://www.kfdm.com/news/port_27901___article.html/arthur_evacuation.html
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#12 Postby lisa0825 » Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:35 pm

Texas New Mexico Power has about 76% of it's customers' power restored. Unfortunately, I am on a block that is on, but have a downed line, so with my luck I'll be in that last 1%. Anyway, I am trying to stay positive. I am glad they are making good progress, because the closer they get to that last 1%, the closer I get to power! LOL

No matter what, I am just fortunate to have a house still standing with no major damage.

GOD I can't wait to get back to work!!! I need a routine BAD!!!!
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#13 Postby lebron23 » Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:50 am

alot of schools in my area STILL dont have power.
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#14 Postby Shoshana » Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:40 pm

Last I heard my cousins in The Woodlands still had no power (and a tree on their garage) but my friends in Texas City say they have electric, water and internet, no DirectTV because the dish got moved but it's still on the house. I was surprised since he has a 2 story house.

He's trying to get it back working in time for the Cowboy's game tonight... I told him ... Bunny Ears!!!!
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#15 Postby Extremeweatherguy » Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:11 pm

I have family down in Spring, TX (right near where I used to live) that STILL do not have power. This makes day number 11 for them.
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#16 Postby setxweathergal » Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:20 pm

For Rita we reached day number 14. Entergy is doing remarkably well this time. I've already had power for 2 days. But lots of others had it even sooner. Hope everyone gets power soon!! We all need some normalcy back in our lives. Hooray for school starting tomorrow. :D
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#17 Postby southerngale » Sat Sep 27, 2008 3:11 pm

Many students will be in portables, but school in Beaumont starts next week. B.I.S.D. had just opened new modular buildings about a month ago, paid for by a bond issue. Dang Ike.

I got back from Fort Worth earlier this week. Since I sold my house and had just closed at the end of August and haven't yet closed on a new one, I've been staying at my sister's house. Her and my parent's both have damage and we've been working on the cleanup. My dad's business was pretty much destroyed though. The roof was blown off and it rained inside and ruined most everything. I don't think the building can be salvaged either. We've saved what we could, but it's a horrible mess. Everything is moldy and it stinks terribly. I feel so bad for my dad... his business took a hard hit from Hurricane Rita as well, but at least the building wasn't destroyed. So sick of hurricanes!
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#18 Postby TexasSam » Sun Oct 05, 2008 4:06 pm

Today they were out and put the Blue Roof tarp thing on my roof.
I got a grant check from FEMA the other day, to say the least I was shocked. I have to do the Small Business application, and see what happens from there.
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Re: Hurricane Ike Recovery

#19 Postby southerngale » Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:08 am

Hurricane Ike's environmental toll extensive
October 5, 2008 - 11:37AM
News Staff

The environmental damage from Hurricane Ike last month is just now becoming clear.

An analysis of federal data by The Associated Press shows at least a half million gallons of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico and the marshes, bayous and bays of Louisiana and Texas. At least 52 oil platforms were destroyed in the Gulf, and 32 severely damaged.

The hardest hit areas were industrial centers near Houston and Port Arthur, Texas, as well as oil production facilities off Louisiana's coast.

A Coast Guard spokesman says they're dealing with "a multitude of different types of pollution," from diesel in the water to gasoline to household chemicals.

The toll on wildlife is still unfolding, but only a few pelicans and osprey turned up oiled.
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#20 Postby southerngale » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:59 am

Image

Code: Select all


LOCATION                  PEAK STORM TIDE    PEAK STORM SURGE        DATE/TIME
Sabine Pass TX                14.24 feet**      12.54 feet**          9/13 at 242 am**
Texas Point TX                13.37 feet*       11.79 feet*            9/13 at 1112 pm*
Port Arthur TX                 11.93 feet        11.25 feet          9/13 at 412 am
Calcasieu Pass LA           11.80 feet           9.80 feet             9/13 at 242 am
Freshwater Canal Locks LA  10.08 feet          9.91 feet             9/12 at 642 pm
Rainbow Bridge TX          9.69 feet*         9.29 feet*            9/13 at 454 am*
Amerada Pass LA            8.02 feet           6.75 feet              9/12 at 230 pm
Tesoro Terminal LA        4.64 feet           4.31 feet               9/13 at 230 pm

* NOTE:  sensor stopped working before highest storm tide/storm surge
** Highest level on record
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