Hurricane Ike Recovery Leader Named October 15, 2008

Former Harris County Judge Robert Eckels has been named to lead a Hurricane Ike Recovery and Coordination Effort.

That announcement today was made by Governor Rick Perry who says that Eckels will work with Brian Newby, who will step down from  his current role as Perry’s chief of staff.

So what will the Hurricane Recovery Czars do exactly?

They will lead an effort involving residents, business leaders and local and federal officials focused on ensuring Texas communities devastated by Hurricane Ike get the resources necessary to rebuild.

Last time 2 on the Beat checked, Eckels was working with the law firm of Fulbright and Jaworski.

We’ll keep you posted on what this new effort means to you and those people who lost their homes, businesses and other property during the storm.

Bolivar Residents Return Home September 26, 2008

For the first time since Hurricane Ike decimated their community, Bolivar residents were able to return home for a few hours on Friday.

The “look and leave policy” allows them to survey their property between the hours of six in the morning until four in the afternoon.

2 on the Beat was there on Friday, and was shocked by the amount of damage to homes and businesses. 

It was an emotional journey home for the residents, but instead of being discouraged, so many of them are determined to rebuild  their lives and reclaim the land they love.

There is no water, sewer or phone service on the peninsula, so residents cannot live there until repairs are completed.

The Long Road Home to Galveston September 24, 2008

a boat and debris

Tiki Island – north of the Causeway

Residents Returning Home

 

 

 

Galveston residents have been waiting 11 days to return home.

 

This is an emotional time for many of them, who are seeing their property for the very first time since Hurricane Ike forced them to evacuate the island.

2 on the Beat is reporting from just north of the Galveston Island causeway this morning, watching as residents rush home.

They are anxious and determined to see their homes and businesses.  Many say they want to assess the damage and try to salvage personal possessions.

The DPS shutdown the last roadblock just before six a.m., allowing residents and visitors to drive through without much delay.

Meanwhile, closer to Tiki Island where I am standing, the damage is still visable.

A boat and other debris that washed up during  Hurricane are still sitting by the side of the freeway.

Welcoming Galveston Residents Home September 23, 2008

2 on The Beat plans to report Thursday morning from the Galveston causeway as residents are allowed back home to check on their property.

No doubt it will be an emotional time for many who are not sure what, if anything, they will be able to salvage.

Several groups are trying to ease the shock of those who will be seeing their homes and businesses for the first time.

There is Massive Meal Distribution planned on The Island to Welcome Home Galveston Residents.

On Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 35 disaster response mobile units stocked with hot meals, cold water, coffee and compassion will welcome home Galveston Islanders.

The Salvation Army, the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and The American Red Cross have joined forces to operate a mass kitchen at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston.

From that location, the mobile feeding units will be stocked and dispatched to canvas the island offering meals and support.

The Salvation Army has already provided 1.3 million meals throughout Southeast Texas to those affected by Hurricane Ike.

 

Mr. White goes to Washington September 23, 2008

Houston Mayor Bill White and Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas are in Washington, D.C., this Tuesday, asking lawmakers for money to help with the cost of cleaning up after Hurricane Ike.

Mayor Thomas plans to ask Congress for $2.3 Billion. That money is needed she says to help repair the sewer and water system, the Port of Galveston and parts of the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Mayor White says he is optimistic that federal leaders will provide financial assistance to help the city of Houston rebuild.

Hurricane Ike Baytown Damage September 22, 2008

After the Storm Surge

You can see the bay in the background

Trees, Trash, and Personal Momentos

Fallen Trees and Personal Possessions

Congressman Gene Green and Baytown’s Mayor

With so much focus on Galveston, Boliver and Houston, it’s easy to forget that other communities suffered the destructive wrath of Hurricane Ike.

2 on the Beat was blown away by the damage in Baytown, Harris County during a tour of the Lakewood Community.

Sitting on the bay, the homes were great places to live until the storm surge sent a wall of water at least twelve feet high through the neighborhood.

The powerful wind and waves tore away brick facades, sheet rock, furniture and other personal possessions.

Congressman Gene Green (D-Texas) and Baytown Mayor Stephan Don Carlos surveyed the damage on Monday.

They say they want residents to rebuild, but it is very like the homeowners will have to comply with some very strict FEMA standards.

Meanwhile, Congressman Green announced that FEMA will open an office inside Baytown’s San Jacinto Mall.

This will help get the information and disaster response much closer to the residents.

No More PODs September 21, 2008

 

PODs. They were great while they lasted!

Points of Distribution.

They provided water, ice and meals ready to eat for people who were hit hard by Hurricane Ike.

But according to a news alert from the Harris County Department of Homeland Security, the last two PODs closed on Sunday, September 21, and no more will be opened.

City, County, State and FEMA officials have decided that areas with water service, electricity and retail stores open to the public are generally considered to be self-sufficient, so that a POD is no longer needed.

 2 on the Beat hopes that is the right call. No one wants people to develop a long term dependence on getting free water, ice and MRE’s.

At the same time, relief workers and neighbors need to make sure they can step in and fill the void for those storm victims who may still be in need of a little more assistance. 

 

The Dangerous side of the Power Outage September 19, 2008

 

Police Officer Directing Traffic

Fire Dept. Called to the Rescue

 

KPRC Journalist Tyrina donates duct tape

 Living without electricity at home is a huge inconvenience.

It becomes a potentially dangerous situation when it begins to effect the traffic signals.

A Houston police officer told 2 on the Beat that drivers have been racing through broken traffic signals without yielding the right of way to other vehicles.

This is more common in the morning when the glare from the sunlight makes it appear that the lights are green. 

There was a  rollover car crash at the intersection of Bissonnett and Bellaire on Thursday.

So on Friday morning, the HPD officer took the initiative and called for a Houston Fire Department ladder truck.

The crew decided to tape over the broken signal to reduce the amount of glare from the sun. 

KPRC Local 2 photojournalist Tyrina pitched in by supplying the firefighters with duct tape.

Mosquitoes are Everywhere after Hurricane Ike September 18, 2008

Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

 

Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) cautions residents that mosquito activity is increasing. The combination of storm debris and standing water left behind has produced many more mosquito breeding sites.

HCPHES Mosquito Control is currently conducting county-wide surveillance to detect disease-carrying mosquitoes and determine pest mosquito populations. Ground-based operation (evening spray truck) and aerial treatment operations will be implemented according to on-going surveillance information.

Now is the time to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats from your property.

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      When outdoors (especially between the hours of dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active), use an insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 (Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus). Apply as directed on the label.• When possible, wear long-sleeved clothing and long-pants.

 • Don’t feed the storm drains. Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves and tree limbs from sidewalks and driveways.

 • Empty any containers that can hold water such as flowerpots, tires, buckets and other outdoor containers.

  Keep rain gutters clear and draining.

 Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.

 

 

 Keep mosquitoes out of the house.

Make sure window and door screens are in good condition.

 Seal other openings, such as those around window air conditioning units. 

 When mosquitoes are noticed in the home, use a “flying insect spray”. Be sure to use according to the label.

 

 

Volunteers Needed to Assist Hurricane Relief September 17, 2008

 

Date: September 17, 2008

For Immediate Release September 17, 2008

Hurricane Ike Volunteers Needed For Relief Efforts

Volunteers are urgently needed to assist with Hurricane Ike relief

efforts.

Individuals who are interested in volunteering can assist at various

locations throughout Houston and Harris County, including the Points of

Distribution Centers (P.O.D.s) and area non-profit agencies and shelters.

To volunteer or for more information, please call the volunteer line at

713.853.8802 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Non-profit

agencies needing volunteers may also call the volunteer line with their

requests.