Be well. Practice big medicine.

Texas Appleseed appreciates the opportunity to provide testimony to the Select Committee on Hurricane Ike Storm Devastation to the Texas Gulf Coast. Texas Appleseed, a non-partisan, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, is part of a national network of public interest law centers. Our mission is to promote justice for all Texans by leveraging the volunteered skills and resources of lawyers and other professionals to identify practical solutions that create systemic change in broad-based issues of social equity.

In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Texas Appleseed worked to address the systemic problems created by the disaster and to find ways to meet the continuing needs of its victims. Appleseed has worked with groups across the state and around the Gulf Coast on disaster recovery issues, including problems with FEMA’s application and appeal process and policies around CDBG grants. Both have a profound effect on recovery at the local level, particularly in the area of housing recovery. Texas Appleseed is particularly concerned by the impact that decisions regarding temporary housing and long-term housing recovery may have on the rebuilding and recovery of the State of Texas in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

1. Problems with FEMA performance affect not only individual hurricane survivors, but the recovery of entire communities. Under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.), the principal statute governing federal disaster response, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has primary responsibility for administering disaster relief including debris removal, temporary housing assistance, and distribution of emergency supplies following a Presidential disaster declaration.

How FEMA handles short term disaster assistance and transitional housing will have a substantial impact on the recovery of Harris and other counties affected by Ike. After Hurricane Rita, much of the state’s recovery planning and requests for funding were based on FEMA data. State and local governments raised repeated concerns about the completeness and accuracy of that data, and how it shortchanged Texas when it came to recovery funding. For example, FEMA estimated that only 11,195 homes in Texas suffered “severe” or “major” damage as a result of Hurricane Rita,1 while the Governor’s office, in collaboration with local governments, estimated that 75,000 houses were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Rita, over 50% of which were uninsured.2 These disparate estimates were the major reason that Texas did not receive the bulk of its CDBG disaster recovery funding until the second supplemental allocation-more than a year after Hurricane Rita.

Relying on inaccurate FEMA data was also a problem for Texas when it came to distributing federal recovery funds within the state. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs used FEMA data on housing and infrastructure damage and amount of claims paid under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) to allocate CDBG funding for housing and non-housing needs between areas affected by Hurricane Rita.3 Using data on claims FEMA has paid could be particularly problematic for Hurricane Ike; six weeks after the storm, FEMA had granted only 13% of applications under the IHP program: 87% of applicants had been denied or were still waiting for action on their applications. In Harris County, only 34,000 families out of over 281,000 had been approved for IHP assistance.4

FEMA itself has admitted that its response to Hurricane Ike has been “sluggish” and is reviewing its rules and procedures.9 However, relying on FEMA to identify and fix its own problems is not enough. Many of these issues were identified three years ago following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and have not been resolved.

Texas Appleseed has been in involved in bringing several lawsuits against FEMA over its inadequate notice and appeal procedures.10 In one case FEMA was ordered to provide applicants with adequate notice of their disaster assistance benefits and appeal rights, and did so for some period of time before reverting to its previous inadequate notices. In another, FEMA has been enjoined from pursuing recoupment actions against a class of Katrina and Rita survivors until it has a notice and appeal process that comports with due process, and the agency recently published notice in the Federal Register that it has terminated the current procedures for the recoupment of overpayments of disaster assistance made in connection with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and is withdrawing all existing recoupment notices.11

Louisiana: Cameron Parish Health Unit closed indefinitely after Ike damages facility [Sep 26 Lake Charles]--The Cameron Parish Health Unit will remain closed until further notice due to damages sustained during Hurricane Ike.

Cameron Parish Health Unit personal health staff will be working out of the Calcasieu Parish Health Unit in Lake Charles. Environmental health staff will be working out of Region V Office of Public Health in Lake Charles and can be reached at (337) 475-3237.

Displaced Cameron Parish clients who are seeking health unit services can go to the parish health unit in the parish where they are currently residing.

Following is a list of other area health units residents can access:

• Allen Parish Health Unit (318) 335-1147
• Beauregard Parish Health Unit (337) 463-4486
• Calcasieu Parish Health Unit (337) 478-6020
• Jefferson Davis Parish Health Unit (337) 824-2193

For those clients who are still residing in Cameron Parish, please contact the Calcasieu Parish Health Unit at (337) 478-6020 to find out how to resume your services.

While the full extent of the damages has yet to be determined, the Region V Office of Public health is working with the Cameron Parish Police Jury administrative office to have additional assessments performed.

Health Unit staff will be providing the tetanus diphtheria vaccine on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grand Lake Recreation Center in Grand Lake, LA.

Louisiana: Levee breach repaired [Sep 24 Plaquemines Parish]--The 200 Foot levee breach near Myrtle Grove has been closed as of late this afternoon. Some lanes of Highway 23 remain flooded south of Myrtle Grove…however all North Bound lanes are dry and passable. Traffic is being routed along those North Bound lanes into two-way traffic so that the entire parish is accessible.

The breach was closed with the help of Air National Guard Helicopters which dropped nearly 700 sandbags into the breach over the past few days along with major efforts by other crews which dropped in tons of mud and rock.

Now the focus will be to drain the basin (farm fields) of the remaining water…as well as seal the breach. To View Latest West Bank Aerial Videos…
Go to: http://www.plaqueminesparish.com/view.htm

Texas: City of Baytown state of the city report for Sep 22 [Sep 24]--Recovery efforts continue at a brisk pace throughout the city. The evacuation notice was lifted on Friday morning and citizens are returning to our community. Communication systems are coming back on-line as power is restored. There are several volunteer agencies in the community providing goods and services.

The Baptist Men from North Carolina have set up a field kitchen at Garth and Rollingbrook. Those men and women are providing over 60,000 hot meals everyday.

Our local Red Cross has established two shelters, Wooster Baptist Church and Memorial Baptist Church.

FEMA has brought a field team to Baytown and they are making rounds in different subdivisions everyday to provide information and assistance. FEMA and City of Baytown encourages everyone that has suffered a loss to register with FEMA as soon as possible.

Updates will be posted on www.baytown.org, Municipal Channel 16, flyers, emergency notification, electronic signs and through the Houston media. This is a great opportunity for citizens to register online to ensure they receive the city’s emergency notices by any phone number or e-mail they provide.

CURFEW
A curfew remains in effect from 10 pm to 5 am for the safety and security of our residents. Businesses may operate their normal hours to provide services to our citizens but travel on the streets during curfew hours needs to be for a specific purpose.

POWER
• Approximately half of the city is still without power.
• CenterPoint’s priorities include essential government services such as public safety, waste water, utilities, traffic control, hospitals, and other critical services. Around 50 of the City’s 82 lift stations have power restored. Residential areas are important, and will get addressed as quickly as possible.
• We are in daily briefings with CenterPoint and elected officials to ensure they know our needs and have our list of priorities. Several city facilities are still without power.
• A link on our web site to the CenterPoint site (www.centerpointenergy.com/staticfiles/home.html) shows current outages.
CITY BUSINESS
• City Hall and city services are open for business with public safety and recovery a priority.
• Municipal Court is open for normal operations only.
• Most parks are open for daylight hours only.
• Construction permits are required; however, some permit fees will be waived for some roof and siding repairs. No permits are needed for fences to be replaced or repaired at existing locations.

STORM DEBRIS AND GARBAGE
• Household garbage collection has resumed, but volume is creating some delays. Curbside recycling is planned to commence again this week.
• Debris contractors (Bamaco and DRC) have crews working daylight hours through out the city picking up debris. Through Saturday, September 20, our contractors and city crews have collected over 48,000 cubic yards of debris.
• Debris on private property is the responsibility of the owner. Property owners should move debris to curbside and keep all debris or trash out of ditches, storm drains and streets.
• Residents are asked to separate their storm debris into 4 piles: 1) vegetation, 2) fences, roofing, metal, and concrete, 3) household appliances, and 4) household hazardous waste (paint, etc).
• The West Main Street drop-off center was severely damaged in the storm and there is NO public drop off site for any materials at this time.
• To learn if you qualify for temporary roof repairs, contact Operation Blue Roof at 1-888-766-3258. Blue tarps will be installed free of charge as a temporary repair to roof damage.

FOOD - WATER – ICE
Baytown’s water is SAFE to drink. Baptist Men’s kitchen at Garth Road & Rollingbrook for hot meals, water and ice.

Hurricane Hotline: 281-420-5311
City’s website www.baytown.org
Comcast Municipal channel 16
KTRH 740 AM

Texas: Holy Family Catholic Church in Victoria donates food to City of Angleton for hurricane relief [Sep 24 Angleton]--Holy Family Catholic Church in Victoria wanted to do something for those that were affected by Hurricane Ike but knew that they weren’t close enough to physically help. “We knew there were going to be people that had needs, especially with food, after a storm like this,” said Holy Family parishioner Delano “Mike” Martinak. “We were just hoping that we could help with some of those needs.”

A phone call to Angleton City Councilwoman Bonnie Church, who happens to be Martinak’s cousin, was all that was needed to get the ball rolling. “The city does a food drive each fall and spring for the St. Thomas Center and we know how great the need is during good economic times so I knew the need would be even greater after the storm,” said Church. “I assured him that we would get it to the people that need it the most.”

So on Monday morning, September 22, Martinak, David Heyer and George Wenzel, along with fellow parishioners Monroe Rieger and Harvey Kocian, loaded up a truck and trailer and delivered the supplies to Angleton. “We were very fortunate to have missed the storm and we hope that we can help others get through this time,” said Martinak. “If everyone would help just a little, it could make a huge difference in the lives of those who have needs.”

Texas: Brazoria County sitrep Sep 23 [Sep 24]--Brazoria County is fully into the recovery stage of the Hurricane Ike aftermath. We have all our special needs evacuees back in the county. Some of them are in shelters until electrical power is restored in their homes.

The power companies are working very hard to get the power restored in the county. They had a monumental task before them because of the wide spread damage we sustained from the storm. Power is gradually being restored.

The POD’s are still active in providing ice, water and MRE meals. So, if you need any of these commodities, you need to go to Freeport at Brazosport High School, Angleton at the Fair Grounds, or Alvin next door to the Home Depot on Hwy 35 Bypass.

We are waiting for FEMA to set up Assistance offices in the county to apply for assistance from FEMA. The Blue Roof program is in full operation. If you need tarps for your damaged roof, you can apply at the West Annex (Tax Office) on the west side of the courthouse.

The Brazoria County School Districts that have not resumed classes are Alvin, Pearland, and Danbury. Alvin is planning on starting classes on Thursday, Sept. 25th. Pearland is assessing their situation on a daily basis. The Pearland School District has power restored to 15 of their 22 campuses.

Effective immediately the Brazoria County Mosquito Control District will be aerially spraying all areas of the county with the airplane until further notice.

Texas: Chambers County EOC update [Sep 24]--Hospitals open in Chambers County. Bayside will be operating a mobile unit in Oak Island on Tuesday at 1:30pm, and at Smith Point on Wednesday. We are also giving tetanus shots to those who need them, so call the EOC if you need more info.

Red Cross Shelters open at Winnie Community Building and the American Legion Hall in Anahuac. Other may be opened if needed. Eagle Heights Fellowship near Mont Belvieu also has a shelter open, but it is not a Red Cross Shelter, it is run by their church.

Animal Needs: Pets are no longer being sheltered at White’s Park. They have been moved to city kennels or adopted by families. If you would like to be a foster home for a pet, please contact the EOC.

Faith Based volunteer clean-up crews have been requested help citizens with trees
blocking driveways, elderly who cannot move the trees, etc. If you or someone needs the assistance of such a crew, contact the EOC.

Air teams are marking large debris fields. Cadaver dog teams have been deployed. As of yet, there are no known missing persons in Chambers County. Also, no deceased have been found in Chambers County.

Texas: FEMA announces 18-month housing assistance program for Ike [Sep 24 Houston]--Eighteen months, beginning, November 1, 2008, FEMA will determine the families that qualify for assistance.

HUD, working with an extensive network of public housing agencies (PHAs) that already administer the DHAP program for families displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and HUD's regular rental assistance program, will oversee and manage the program. Initially, HUD will provide full rental assistance to approved families.

Beginning May 1, 2009, families will be responsible for paying $50 per month. Every month thereafter, the family's portion of the rent will increase in increments of $50 until the program ends in April 2010. This approach has been successful in leading families closer to complete housing independence under the original DHAP program.

DHAP-IKE will be implemented as follows:

· Families in need of assistance must register with FEMA by calling 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or online

· HUD will use its network of local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to administer the program where families reside.

· FEMA will begin referring families to HUD by October 15, 2008, so that HUD can contract with its local PHAs for the delivery of DHAP-IKE services starting November 1, 2008.

· Prior to November 1, 2008, PHAs will contact eligible families referred by FEMA to begin outreach and intensive case management services to help displaced families rebuild their lives.

· Beginning November 1, 2008, HUD will begin making rental payments to families declared eligible by FEMA who have been placed in rental housing.

· PHAs will contact landlords and ensure the necessary documents are in place so that those families will continue to receive uninterrupted assistance payments through DHAP-IKE.

· PHAs will work with families and landlords to enter into rental assistance contracts as soon as families are referred by FEMA and begin case management.

· PHAs will pay the higher of the Fair Market Rent rate or the PHAs payment standard.

· All eligible families will begin contributing $50 toward their rent starting May 1, 2009. Every month thereafter, the family portion of the rent will increase in increments of $50 through March of 2010.

· The program provides a hardship waiver of the $50 Incremental Rent Transition (IRT) for families that prove that they cannot afford the rent increment. The details of the hardship provision will be spelled out in standard operating procedures that will be published shortly.

· Starting in August 2009, families whose rent burden does not exceed 30 percent of post disaster gross income, taking into account existing mortgages for personal residences that remain uninhabitable, will no longer be eligible for DHAP- IKE.

· Families whose rent burden and mortgage exceed 30 percent of post disaster income, will continue to be receive assistance, subject to the IRT, through March 2010 when the program ends.

· There will be family obligations as part of this program which will include the following:

§ Family must abide by the terms of the lease and maintain the unit in good condition;

§ Family must participate in case management services;

§ When IRT begins, family must agree to pay their portion of rent on time and in full; and

§ Family must accurately and honestly certify the receipt of benefits from either Small Business Administration grants or loans, insurance proceeds, or any other duplication of benefits.

Texas: Galveston County Health District to provide health and safety services [Sep 24 Galveston County]-- Galveston County and Cities – In continuing efforts to address public health and medical care needs of Galveston County residents the Galveston County Health District provides the following update for services to be provided through Saturday September 27.

The Galveston County Health District is currently operating a phone bank where residents can call for answers to common health and safety questions. For questions that phone bank staff are unable to answer, callers will be directed to an appropriate Galveston County Health District employee for assistance. The phone bank can be reached at (409) 938-7221.

A previously issued Public Health Advisory for those residents returning to Galveston can be found online. The advisory contains many actions residents can take to remain safe and healthy.

Primary Care in Galveston: The Health District will operate a mobile primary care clinic in the parking lot of the Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway, Galveston, Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. This is being made possible by an agreement with AmeriCares an international relief organization that works to ensure that medicines, medical supplies and aid reaches individuals in need. Future updates on the mobile clinics operation will be provided as they become available.

Texas City 4C’s Clinic: The Texas City clinic at 2000 Texas Avenue will operate Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2. p.m. During this time the clinic is operating primarily as a walk-in clinic.

Animal Services: The District’s Joe Vickery Animal Shelter at 3412 Loop 197 N in Texas City is currently open daily from dusk to dawn. Many lost pets have been taken in at the shelter and anyone looking for their pet is encouraged to call the shelter. Their main phone number (409) 948-2485 is working intermittently. If residents are unable to reach staff at the main number call (409) 943-7929.

Vaccinations: During this time with many residents handling debris removal they are encouraged to make sure they are adequately vaccinated to prevent illness, particularly when it comes to tetanus. The district will be providing immunizations at four different locations this Wednesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

* Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway, Galveston
* (New Location) West End Urgent Care, 2027 61st St, Galveston
* Texas City Immunization Clinic, 2000 Texas Avenue, Texas City
* Dickinson Immunization Clinic, 905 Pine Drive, Dickinson

Texas: Emergency HIV prescription information for hurricane evacuees [Sep 24 Austin]-- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has activated a special Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP), available to evacuees in these Texas counties: Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Hidalgo, Hunt, Jackson, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Kaufman, Liberty, Lubbock, Matagorda, Navarro, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Smith, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Willacy and Wood.

The EPAP will provide a one-time 30-day supply of medications to treat acute conditions and replace maintenance prescription drugs or medical equipment lost as a direct result of Hurricane Ike. This special assistance has been extended until further notice.

If you live in Texas, are already enrolled in the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP), and have to leave your home due to an impending hurricane or subsequent flooding and storm damages, please call the program directly at either 512-533-3000 or 800-255-1090 to request a temporary pharmacy transfer. We'll be able to set you up at an alternate pharmacy location in Texas to pick up your HIV meds while you're displaced. If at all possible, please take your current supply of medications with you before you leave your home, so that you may continue to use that supply. T

he new pharmacy you're assigned to will need as much information as possible from you regarding prescriptions in order to supply additional drugs to you, so the labels on your current prescription bottles and any other details regarding your physician will be a tremendous help to them. Remember, if you don't have any additional refills available on the prescription you're currently using, the pharmacy can't fill your request unless they can reach your doctor's office and obtain authorization to do so.

If you're a Texas State Pharmacy Assistance Program (SPAP) enrollee using your Medicare Part D plan to obtain your HIV medications, please note that you may continue to fill your prescriptions from any participating pharmacy in the statewide SPAP network. (For example, any Albertsons, CVS, Kroger, Randalls, Target, Tom Thumb or Walgreens pharmacy in Texas can process the SPAP prescriptions.) A complete list of SPAP pharmacies is available online.

If you're currently enrolled in an ADAP program in your home state and have been evacuated to Texas from a neighboring state, there's a special Emergency Relief Application you can complete and fax into the THMP offices at 512-371-4670 along with proof of identity (such as a copy of your state ID or driver's license) and a copy of your state ADAP ID card if available.

Our staff will contact you at the phone number you provide and assign you to a Texas pharmacy location in order to pick up an initial 30-day supply of HIV medications while you're temporarily in Texas awaiting the okay to return to your home state. The application you'll need to complete can be downloaded online.

Anyone needing access to fax machines or local support services is encouraged to seek out assistance from local service providers. A listing of such organizations can be found on the Texas HIV/STD Service Directory page.

Texas: Medical/special needs focused update Sep 23 [Sep 24 Austin]--2-1-1: September 22, 2008, the 2-1-1 system handled 13,738 calls. This is more than double the amount of calls handled the previous day. Since September 9, 2008, the 2-1-1 Texas system has handled 212,716 calls.

The Area Information Centers (AIC’s) in Beaumont remains closed due to storm damage. The Disaster Kit remains operational until 11:00 p.m. and reopens each morning at 7:00 a.m. It is staffed by volunteers from across state agencies, contract staff, community volunteers and Alliance of Information System volunteers from across the United States. At 10:30 a.m. today, call volume was 3,680.

Deaflink: Deaf Link will be relocating the Shelter Link service currently located at the George R. Brown (GRB) Convention center in Houston where Shelter Operations 6059 South Loop East Houston to the Auchan Shelter. Deaf Link's installation crew is on stand-by and will install equipment at this location after broadband connectivity is in place.

Deaf Link's Remote Interpreter Access service is still operational at the Disaster Recovery Center in San Antonio (107 Duncan).

American Red Cross (ARC): At this time the American Red Cross is operating 32 shelters with a population of 3,533. There are 109 vehicles providing feeding, served 230,817 meals during the report period, 1,285,758 meals have been served to-date. There are 3,382 disaster workers providing these services.

Public Utilities Commission (PUC): Currently, 625,722 customers remain without electricity. CenterPoint Energy is reported outages of 564,884. Entergy reports outages totaling 29,951. Currently, 98,473 customers are without landline service. AT&T Texas reports outages totaling 75,513. Verizon Southwest reports that 6,740 customers are without telecommunications service. Entergy reports 71,856 customers out (18.17%) down from 395,000 which was nearly 100% of its customers. Entergy is talking to TXDOT regarding building along the right of way along SH 87 and SH 124 on the Bolivar Peninsula.

Public Works Response Team (PWRT): The SOC LNO team works generator requests for Hospitals/Medical Facilities, Emergency Continuity of Government Facilities, Shelters and Water/Wastewater Systems. Currently, there are over 298 requests totaling over 1,300 individual generators in the 15 KV to 2 MW size range (skid/trailer mount up to tractor-trailer rig size). Smaller units requested are generally purchased or leased locally. The Corps of Engineers has provided most of the large generators for hospitals, shelters, emergency facilities and some water/wastewater facilities; many of the water and wastewater requests have been filled through TXWARN and other industry associations, and in coordination with TCEQ. Many of these requests are being closed as electric power is restored to the area. New requests have slowed considerably.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): TCEQ currently:
• Assessed 1,394 Public Water System (PWS) facilities in 10 counties. To date 848 facilities were reported as operational, 220 were reported as non-operational, and TCEQ was unable to establish contact with 326 facilities.
• Assessed 739 Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) facilities in 10 counties. To date 430 facilities were reported as operational, 159 were reported as non-operational, and TCEQ was unable to establish contact with 150 facilities.
• Monitored 509 Boil water notices, of which approximately 101 have already been rescinded.

The below list reflects the removal of Houston East End DRS and Livingston DRS offices from previous lists.

HHSC has announced that the Port Arthur DRS Office will be open on Monday; however, the DRS staff considers this to be conditional on the restoration of electrical power prior to Monday (there is currently no power to this facility) and the lifting of the mandatory evacuation orders which are still in effect for Beaumont and Port Arthur.

The following DARS Division for Rehabilitation Service (DRS) and Division for Blind Services (DBS) offices are closed until further notice: Alvin DRS; Baytown DRS; Beaumont DBS; Beaumont DRS; Clear Lake DRS; Galveston DRS; Galveston Transitional Learning Community DRS; Houston DBS/DRS; Houston DBS Southeast; Houston Hobby DRS; Houston North DRS; Houston Regional DRS; Lake Jackson DRS; Liberty DRS; Port Arthur DRS; Texas City DRS; and Tomball DRS.

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS): Power Restoration to the nursing homes in Jefferson, Montgomery and Tyler counties should be available from Entergy by 9:30 a.m. Select Harris and Fort Bend Counties facilities restored. Buckingham Nursing facility in Houston, 8530 Woodway Drive Houston 77063, does not have power, even though they are on the power restoration list.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): HHSC has arranged for 1322 truckloads of water (47,972,736 bottles) and 1161 truckloads of ice (53,638,200 lbs of ice).
• HHSC has logistical staff at the Resource Staging Areas in Lufkin, Houston, Beaumont and San Antonio.
• HHSC is hiring staff for the Other Needs Assistance program and preparing to process disaster grants for losses due to Hurricane Ike.
• HHSC has hired a field coordinator to be deployed to the affected areas and will staff the Disaster Recovery Centers to assist the disaster victims with assistance that is available.

Texas Department of State Health Services continues to provide assistance to State, Regional, and local health departments to meet their public health needs.

MSN SHELTERS: DSHS continues to develop Hurricane Ike Mid- to Long-Term MSN Sheltering Options. Approximately 1100 MSN evacuees remain in MSN shelters, based on verification of MSN Shelter Census and preparation of hospital reports for USPHS/FEMA.

MSN REPATRIATION/ TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS: The DSHS Repatriation Team is currently assessing transportation asset needs for the long term relocation and return of evacuees. Approximately 1100 medical special needs evacuees still require relocation. All but three Louisiana evacuees have been returned.

MEDICAL ASSETS FOR UTMB: Two or three trailers with 2 operating rooms and intensive care units will be delivered to Galveston Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. The trailers will include labor and delivery space.

TRANSPORTATION ASSETS: We have approximately 250 ambulances, 600 ParaTransit Seats and air assets consisting of 1 fixed wing and 2 rotor wing aircraft.

DISASTER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (DBH) AND CRITIAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM) SUPPORT: The Behavioral Health Plan is operational and includes the following strategies: coordinating mental health, disaster behavioral health (DBH) and critical incident stress management (CISM); coordinating efforts with mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) and CISM; and providing support for CISM. Disaster Behavioral Health staff began maintaining a full-time presence at the FEMA Joint Field Office. DBH staff are working closely with State Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) group to ensure DBH coverage of DRCs. The FEMA crisis counseling program grant is being written by DBH staff with assistance from FEMA, CMHS (SAMHSA). The DBH priority is ensuring adequate resources are available to Gulf Coast MHMR Center as it prepares for reentry of evacuees into Galveston on 9-24-2008.

VACCINE: Tetanus and Tdap vaccines are being provided to affected areas in Chambers and Galveston Counties.

VECTOR CONTROL: The DSHS Vector Control Plan is operational. Discussions are underway to identify and resolve outstanding issues with federal, regional, and local partners. A Vector Control conference call was held 9-22-2008 with the DSHS MACC, FEMA, CDC, and South East Texas to discuss current vector conditions, FEMA reimbursement process, and jurisdiction issues.

APPLIED PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM (APHT): Applied Public Health Teams are conducting community assessments and providing essential public health functions in Liberty, Manvel, Orange, and Port Arthur.

Teams include epidemiologists and environmental health specialists. In addition a strike team of environmental specialists will be providing technical assistance and guidance in Liberty County.

The repatriation of the Beaumont and Orange County special needs population began today. Approximately 75-80 buses filled with special needs individuals have arrived @ the Beaumont Municipal Sports Complex for processing.

Power has been restored to 80-90 percent of the area. All hospitals are up and running. All major hospitals are up and running on commercial power. Local governments and law enforcement are up and running as well. Most schools in area plan to open sometime next week.

DDC San Antonio: The ARRC is continuing to scale back operations utilizing 74 personnel. Houston/Harris County is accepting general population (GP) evacuees repatriation. 169 evacuees (4 buses) were sent to Houston/Harris County Monday.
Warehouse operations are continuing to support shelter operations. Shelter operation (GP) is being scaled back and has been consolidated into one location. The Reception Center has processed 11,679 GP and 1,363 Medical Special Needs (MSN) evacuees. The Reception Center has been closed. New GP and MSN evacuees are routed to Building 1536.

DSHS Region 8 continues to repatriate MSN evacuees and assist San Antonio Metro Health in surveillance of epidemiology issues.

A FEMA DRC is open to serve the local shelter population. Another DRC (Loop 410) is also open to serve evacuees in the general San Antonio area.

DDC Tyler: DDC 1B ceased Hurricane Ike operations as of 1700 9/22/08. Tyler still has two Medical Special Needs shelters. DSHS personnel will handle MSN transports as they arise.

• Beaumont will start accepting Medical Special Needs evacuee patients on Tuesday 9-23-08

• Canton shelters repatriated evacuees to Jasper County, Anahuac, Winnie and Mount Bellevue on 9-20-08 and all shelters closed as of 9-21-08

Red Cross representatives busy in DDC updating shelter information, assisting local jurisdictions with requests for water, food and ice, providing meals to DDC, helping shelter managers place additional evacuees both general population and special needs.

The University of Texas Medical Branch opened four clinics on the mainland on 09/18/08, from which residents can obtain their medications. They are: Texas City Clinic at 6400 Memorial Drive at the intersection of HWY 3 and Memorial (409-938-8466); League City Pediatrics and Family HealthCare, 6465 South Shore Blvd., Suite 500 at the intersection of HWY 96 and South Shore Blvd., directly behind Kroger (281-538-7735); Friendswood Pediatric, Adult and Specialty Care, 128 West Parkwood at the corner of 528 and 518, next to 24 Hour Fitness (281-482-5695); and After Hours Pediatric Urgent Care, 3023 Marian Bay Blvd., League City, TX (281-334-6578). Open weekdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends, from noon until 8 p.m.

In Galveston County POD operations are ongoing. Again, PODs have reported a slower distribution rate over the last period, likely due to other services being made available, as retail business locations re-open. PODs report smooth and uninterrupted operations. 2,239 cases of water, 6,400 bags of ice, and 2,239 cases of MREs have been distributed at two POD locations. DSHS is providing health and safety checks on residents and supporting Baptist Children and Family Services (BCFS).

In Orange County repatriation sites have been established at the West Orange Middle School, West Orange High School, and Vidor Elementary. Efforts have begun to relocate Special Needs residents to Orange County from hosting jurisdictions. In conjunction with repatriation efforts, American Red Cross (ARC) has established a shelter at West Orange Middle School to provide feeding, shower facilities, and sleeping quarters for returning evacuees.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has completed providing Hepatitis A, flu and TDAP immunizations to 200 first responders and essential personnel in the Bridge City area. TDAP immunizations are now being made available to the general public at the Bridge City Community Center. Today the CDC administered 163 immunizations and will continue providing this service tomorrow.

Texas: Rio Grande River flood event [Sep 24 Presidio]--The main priority of the incident is to prevent levee failure. Over 25,000 sand bags have been filled and they are being placed on the existing levee to add support. Helicopters have been used to fill in bridge openings with large sand bags in an existing railroad right-of-way to create secondary levees. Other priorities include maintaining emergency shelter operations, providing a rapid response for search and rescue should the levees fail, ensuring public health needs are addressed and providing for water/wastewater services in the city/county if a flood event occurs within the city.

Although the Rio Grande River flow has decreased slightly during the last several hours, this is a temporary action. The Luis Leon Reservoir has slowed their release rate in order to allow workers in the Presidio area time to shore up the levee. As water makes its way down the Rio Grande River some down stream flooding is occurring. Six Game Wardens with boats in each area of Presidio, Del Rio, and Val Verde County are prepared to assist local jurisdictions with evacuation of local citizens if needed. The Border Patrol has also provided resources to respond should they be needed.

Presidio continues levee mitigation work coordinating with the International Water Boundary Commission (IWBC) using offenders crews provided by Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Presidio continues to support shelter operations, medical clinic operations and arrangement for vector control. The City of Presidio is providing personnel who will begin training on vector control equipment and conduct vector control spraying starting at the end of the week. The Department of State Health Services has secured a physician’s assistant to support medical care for those who were affected by the International Bridge closure. Department of Defense has provided helicopter support to assist with placement of large sand bags on areas of the levee that require additional reinforcement.

The Lone Star Incident Management Team will reinforce 7,500 feet of levee with 13,000 sandbags. This work will be a ground effort with no aviation support. Bags will be placed on top of the plastic to reinforce the levee. Ongoing operations include shelter and public health in the form of vector control for the City of Presidio. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is engaged in water sampling and investigating
permits for burning debris.

State agencies engaged in providing assistance and resources to the incident include the Department of State Health Services, Texas Forest service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Military Forces, Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of Transportation and Department of Defense Aircraft from Fort Hood.

Texas: Aerial spraying for mosquitoes to begin in areas flooded by Ike [Sep 24 Austin]--The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced today that targeted post-Hurricane Ike aerial spraying for mosquitoes may begin as early as Thursday night in parts of the following counties: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton and Orange.

Weather permitting, spraying will take place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. until completed.

The spraying is to reduce the proliferation of mosquitoes that is hampering recovery efforts and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses such as St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile infection after heavy rains and flooding from Hurricane Ike.

Specially equipped twin-turbine King Air planes from Clarke Mosquito Control and Dynamic Aviation will be used. The planes may be flying as low as 300 feet above ground.

Dibrom, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved insecticide, will be used at an application rate of 0.66 ounces per acre. The EPA states that Dibrom can be used for public health mosquito control programs without posing unreasonable risks to the general population when applied according to label directions.

However, beekeepers in the region should take protective measures to prevent damage to their hives.

The public should continue to eliminate standing water and other mosquito breeding areas around their homes and be sure that door, porch and window screens are in good condition. People also should use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 when outdoors, following label directions.

Missouri: Gov Blunt commends state workers' hurricane relief efforts [Sep 24 Jefferson City]--Gov. Blunt today commended the Missouri Department of Social Services’ (DSS) employees working to help victims recover from Hurricane Gustav. Since September 17th employees of the DSS Family Support Division (FSD) have been in Louisiana assisting with emergency food stamp distribution.

“The dedicated state employees who answered this call for help are a great example of Missourians’ generosity in times of need,” Gov. Blunt said. “Working in an area recently devastated by a hurricane is very challenging. These men and women are doing an exceptional job ensuring those affected by the hurricane have access to the help they need. We can all be proud of their sacrifice and commitment.”

The FSD volunteers in Louisiana are eligibility workers, supervisors and managers with expertise in food stamp determination and processing. They are working 12-hour shifts and often face commutes of one to two hours to reach work locations. Daily the FSD volunteers process thousands of food stamp applications for Louisianans still recovering from the hurricane that struck September 1st.

“Our staff has been vital to Louisiana’s hurricane recovery efforts,” DSS Director Deborah Scott said. “We’ve been told that the lines to receive food stamp assistance often form as early as 2 a.m., and our staff ensures that everyone who comes gets the help they need before day's end. I am extremely proud of their dedication and commitment to serve.”

The FSD volunteers report that residents throughout Louisiana have been very grateful for the help Missouri staffers are providing. The Missouri workers are expected to return home September 30.

Arkansas: The public health response to Gustav and Ike [Sep 24 Little Rock]--They returned to Arkansas in time for the Labor Day weekend, just like they did three years ago, some of them to the same Arkansas getaway they visited back then. No one knows for sure how many there were, but it’s safe to say that there were thousands of them. Some were surprised to find themselves in Arkansas. Some would soon be homeless. Others, the lucky ones, would get to go back home with a big mess to clean up.

They came to our hospitals, to shelters around the state, to hotels and restaurants, to countless private homes, even to State Park camping grounds.

For 233 patients, it was a very unusual hospital visit. For these, some of whom were critically ill, the trip to Arkansas became necessary when Hurricane Gustav turned on New Orleans and the Louisiana coastline to the west. They made the trip on large military transport planes, specially outfitted with medical support equipment and with trained doctors and nurses on board. The entire operation was organized under the National Disaster Medical System, headed up locally by Rex Oxner, area emergency manager, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.

When the first C-130 transport plane cut its engines at about 11 p.m. in Little Rock at Central Flying Service, no one really knew what to expect. According to Alyce Wagner, a patient advocate from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), there was an eerie silence as the assembled force waited for the doors to open. “I’ll never forget it. None of us really knew what we were about to have to deal with,” she said.

Inside were the first of the patients that would be delivered from Louisiana hospitals by plane—10 C-130 Hercules and three C-17 Globemaster transport planes arrived over a
24- hour period, all specially designed for medical transport.

The planes were outfitted with what are called “litters,” stretchers with special supports for those too ill to sit up. Those patients were securely placed in stacks of four patients, one above the other, in rows back into the plane. There were many patients in wheelchairs with medical treatment equipment attached. A few patients were able to walk with assistance, but they all had one thing in common—they needed to be in the hospital.

What happened next was extraordinary. The process of moving patients to local metro area hospitals began with getting some of the most critically ill patients off the plane and on their way to the hospital without delay. A well-organized team of Air Force enlisted men and women accomplished this with exact precision within minutes, and the patients were taken to ambulances waiting nearby. Health Department computer software containing bed availability at the 13 metro area hospitals told the team where patients needed to go.

At the Central Flying Service hangar, the patients who were not immediately whisked away were triaged—in areas marked Red, Yellow and Green—so that the most serious cases could be seen by physicians prepared to take care of them. For these doctors, patient care was paramount. Each patient was placed in a hospital best equipped to handle the specific case. The triage area was busy, but an air of calm efficiency and good cheer prevailed. Dr. Marlon Doucet of Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, himself a Louisiana native, was overheard asking if one of the patients had brought any boudin with him. This brought a smile to a difficult time for someone far away from home.

The ground transport team consisted of Emergency Medical Services first-responders from all over the state. These volunteers travelled from the four corners of Arkansas to help move patients into their temporary hospital homes. By August 30, there were 21 Arkansas paramedic-level ambulance crews at a staging area in Alexandria, Louisiana, ready to assist in the evacuation of Louisiana citizens. Crews conducted nursing home evacuations and the transportation of critically ill patients to shelters prior to the arrival of the hurricane. Then, when the storms had passed, they were enlisted again to help get them back home safely.

Meanwhile, those who were able to travel on their own began to show up at shelters in Arkansas, and many came back to the same shelter they had stayed in during the Katrina recovery phase. In all, there were 48 shelters in 24 Arkansas counties that housed 2,791 evacuees. As before, some have no home to return to.

Prior to the opening of the shelters, ADH environmental health specialists had inspected the facilities to assure that food and water safety and shelter sanitation issues were addressed. Nurses and ADH personnel were on hand at all shelters alongside workers from the Department of Human Services (DHS) and volunteers for the local area communities and churches to answer whatever needs arose. The problems they faced ranged from the need for prescription medicine to kidney dialysis. Local county health officers were pressed into volunteer service to help provide prescriptions, and medicine was paid for out-of-pocket by nurses who saw no other alternative. Carol Minter, RN, in Lafayette County worked all day on Sunday, August 31 to get blood pressure meds to an evacuee staying at Camp Canfield.

She drove from her home in Lafayette County to the nearest pharmacy that was open on Sunday in Magnolia in neighboring Columbia County, bought the medicine with her own money because it was the quickest way to take care of the problem, and then drove back to Camp Canfield to hand deliver it. Also in Lafayette County, a mother arrived with 13 adopted special needs kids, two of whom needed IV medication weekly, and was able to find help through the Lafayette County health unit.

According to Dr. William Mason, Incident Commander for the ADH Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the ADH nurses were able to stay on top of communicable diseases that might have caused very serious problems by carefully monitoring each shelter for health problems. “These people are sometimes in crowded, enclosed situations. The possibility that a communicable disease could spread through a camp and make many people sick very quickly is something we work hard to prevent,” Mason said.

As soon as the evacuees settled in, the wind and rains came, creating problems here at home. With more than 140,000 Arkansas residents in the dark, medicines were moved from their refrigerated storage at local health units affected by the outage to nearby hospitals or locations on generator power.

The largest single shelter in the state again this year was at Ft. Chaffee. Here, too, the health problems required special treatment. Dr. Bryan Clardy, who is in charge of the Medical Reserve Corps. (MRC) in Ft. Smith, heads up a team of volunteer doctors, Health Department nurses and support staff at Ft. Chaffee that serves a critical role. As in Little Rock, the evacuees were triaged upon arrival, and some were taken to area hospitals. Most, however, were cared for in a makeshift hospital at the base, staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses. Clardy said that the MRC team had between 1,200 and 1,500 patient encounters during their stay at Chaffee. Without that temporary hospital facility, most of the evacuees with serious medical needs would have been taken to hospitals in Ft. Smith, hospitals that were not prepared to handle such a surge.

“Opportunities like these make me fully aware of the reasons I chose to go into public health. Seeing people work together who would not ordinarily mix, all in an effort to serve someone in need—that is the real reward in this work,” Mason said.

Texas: Crisis counseling services available in wake of Ike [Sep 22 Austin]--Crisis counseling and assistance with stress management are available statewide to anyone who has been affected by Hurricane Ike.

People may call 2-1-1 to get a crisis hotline number or to find stress management, crisis counseling, substance abuse and spiritual assistance in their community. Help also is available by calling the designated mental health/mental retardation (MHMR) center, at shelters, at local points of dispensing (PODs) and at Disaster Recovery Centers. Most Disaster Recovery Centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Counseling and stress management play essential roles in helping people begin to recover from a disaster,” said Dr. David Lakey, Commissioner, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

“This hurricane season has been a long and extremely active one. Some Texans have suffered multiple losses from different severe weather events this summer,” he said. “People can benefit from these crisis counseling services on a daily basis, learn coping techniques and have a safe place to talk about these events.”

Lakey said crisis counseling helps people deal with traumatic events that may often bring out emotional reactions such as frustration, nightmares, sadness or anger. Though these responses are to be expected, they can sometimes interfere with daily life, especially for children, the elderly, the disabled and low-income residents for whom recovery may be more difficult.

Services, available in English and Spanish statewide, include outreach and referral to other disaster assistance groups and organizations.

Note: List of MHMR centers providing crisis services follows.

The following mental health/mental retardation centers provide crisis services for affected counties:

* ACCESS MHMR Center; Anderson and Cherokee counties; (800) 621-1693.

* Brazos Valley MHMR Center; Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington counties; (888) 522-8262.

* The Burke Center; Angelina, San Augustine, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Jacinto and Shelby counties; (800) 392-8343.

* Gulf Coast MHMR Center; Brazoria and Galveston counties; (866) 729-3848.

* Harris County MHMR Center; Harris County; (713) 970-7070.

* Spindletop MHMR Center; Hardin, Jefferson, Chambers and Orange counties; (800) 937-8097.

* Texana MHMR Center; Austin, Colorado, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Waller and Wharton counties; (800) 633-5686.

* Tri-County MHMR Center; Liberty, Montgomery and Walker counties; (800) 659-6994.

Texas: Medical/special needs focused update Sep 21 [Sep 22 Austin]--2-1-1: September 20, 2008, the 2-1-1 system handled 7,316 calls. Platform changes appear to have improved capacity for callers seeking assistance through 2-1-1 Texas Information & Referral.

Since September 9, 2008, the 2-1-1 Texas system has handled 193,497 calls.
In addition to the Area Information Center staff, professional volunteers from 211 centers around the United States are also assisting with calls.

The top five caller needs identified for Hurricane Ike are as follows: Food Stamp Information; POD information; FEMA assistance; Disaster Recovery Centers; unemployment assistance.

2-1-1 is expecting calls regarding re-entry as people begin to return home. 2-1-1- at the SOC expects to remain at the SOC for at least another week while continuing to address FEMA questions, continued urgent medical needs requests, welfare checks, evacuee locator requests, and other concerns.

Deaflink: Deaf Link is providing on site training and support for various state and federal agencies working at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (107 Duncan, San Antonio) on how to use the Remote Interpreter Access Service unita to communicate and provide services to deaf evacuees. DeafLink Remote Interpreter Access Service is up and operational in the San Antonio FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). FEMA staff is utilizing the service to assist hearing impaired evacuees in applying for assistance. All Shelter Link unit locations are being utilized daily to provide communication access between shelter staff and deaf evacuees.
Emergency information alerts related to the recovery/re-entry efforts that are released to the public are being formatted into AHAS information alerts and disseminated through the Individual Notification delivery system to persons with disabilities.

American Red Cross (ARC): The American Red Cross is currently operating 78 shelters with a population of 9,158. There are 124 vehicles providing feeding, served 212,327 meals. A total of 845,098 meals have been served to-date. There are 2,618 disaster workers providing these services.

Public Utilities Commission (PUC): The PUC continues to update outages by zip code and by county for the affected areas. Total outages for electric customers are currently 875,662 and total outages for telecommunications customers is 332,792. Oncor Electric Delivery Company has reported that they are fully restored.

Public Works Response Team (PWRT): The SOC LNO team continues to review generator requests for hospitals/medical facilities, emergency continuity of government facilities, shelters and water/wastewater systems. Currently, there are over 282 requests totaling over 750 individual generators in the 15 KV to 2 MW size range (skid/trailer mount up to tractor-trailer rig size). Smaller units requested are generally purchased or leased locally. Many of the water and wastewater requests have been filled through TXWARN and other industry associations, and in coordination with TCEQ. Many of these requests are being cancelled as electric power is restored to impacted areas. As of today, 157 of these requests have been fulfilled.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): TCEQ is currently:
Assessing 1,394 PWS facilities in 10 counties. To date 598 facilities reported as operational, 289 reported as non-operational, and we were unable to establish contact with 507 facilities.

Assessing 740 WWTP facilities in 10 counties. To date 282 facilities reported as operational, 146 reported as non-operational, and TCEQ were unable to establish contact with 312 facilities.

Monitoring 332 Boil water notices, of which approximately 51 have already been rescinded.

TCEQ Air Monitoring Network Update -- Current readings indicate no levels of air quality pose any health concerns at this time.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): A complete listing of DFPS office closures is available on the website. Agency continues to plan for re-entry and demobilization. HHSC RAS teams are assessing agency offices in the affected areas and determining the viability of offices. DFPS is working on plans to provide services in affected areas in the event offices are not habitable. All offices in Regions 4 and 7 are open. Offices are starting to open in Region 5 and 6. Statewide intake evacuation hotline is up and taking calls. Regions report no unmet needs at this time. DFPS are monitoring reports that involve children or elderly victims.

Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS): Progress continues to be made. Plans are for additional DARS offices to re-open on Monday. Restoration work continues at the Alvin DRS Office and is reported to have begun at the Beaumont DRS Office. The below list reflects the removal of Houston East End DRS and Livingston DRS offices from previous lists. HHSC has announced that the Port Arthur DRS Office will be open on Monday; however, the DRS staff considers this to be conditional on the restoration of electrical power prior to Monday (there is currently no power to this facility) and the lifting of the mandatory evacuation orders which are still in effect for Beaumont and Port Arthur.

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS): Catastrophic Medical Operations Center (CMOC) in Houston requesting DADS Regional staff to assist coordinating nursing facilities placement instead of general population shelter. George R. Brown shelter in Houston has been used as a general pop shelter, and people are leaving. Before they are consolidated, people will need to be evaluated to see if they need nursing facilities, so they won’t go to centers in Houston and then have to go somewhere else. The concern is placements may need to be for up to three months due to the conditions in Galveston and other places. DADS was asked to identify available nursing facilities beds in the Houston area that can be occupied by these folks.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): HHSC has arranged for 1322 truckloads of water (47,972,736 bottles) and 1161 truckloads of ice (53,638,200 lbs of ice).

• HHSC has logistical staff at the Resource Staging Areas in Lufkin, Houston, Beaumont and San Antonio.

• HHSC is hiring staff for the Other Needs Assistance program and preparing to process disaster grants for losses due to Hurricane Ike.

• HHSC has hired a field coordinator to be deployed to the affected areas and will staff the Disaster Recovery Centers to assist the disaster victims with assistance that is available.

TASK FORCE IKE:
• DSHS members of Hurricane Task Force Ike have been demobilized.

MSN SHELTER PLACEMENT:
• There are currently 21 medical special needs (MSN) shelters open throughout Texas; the current census is approximately 1,214. MSN shelters will continue to respond to the needs of the
affected regions. The primary goal today is to return MSN to their point of origin if available and safe.

TRANSPORTATION ASSETS:
• Ambulances - 250
• ParaTransit seats - 600 seats
• Air Assets - one Fixed Wing, two Rotor Wing

VECTOR CONTROL:
• Mosquito control programs in Harris, Jefferson, Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Ft. Bend and Orange Counties are currently conducting and documenting mosquito landing rate counts in their respective areas.
• DSHS has developed a Vector Control Plan.

DMORT:
• There are no changes in the Hurricane Ike mortality surveillance report since yesterday.
• A preliminary total of 27 deaths have been reported.
• In Orange County, two FEMA trucks with the 18 casketed remains from the Hollywood Cemetery are awaiting transport to the designated Disaster Portable Morgue Unit site in Louisiana for identification. Another truck contains 12 caskets with identified remains awaiting reburial at Hollywood Cemetery.

REQUESTS FOR DMATS:
• Request for DMAT at East Houston Medical Center has been recieved.
• Livingston Hospital DMAT will be demobilized at 12 midnight 09/21/2008

APPLIED PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM (APHT):
• 45 members of the Applied Public Health Team are at the JFO.
• One epidemiologist will with shelter and mortality surveillance.
• Six environmental health specialists will be deployed to assist Health Service Region 6/5South assist in retail food establishment assessments and assessments of building that experienced flood damage.

As of 5:00 pm on September 19th, CenterPoint Energy Gas had completed assessment of 100% of the distribution system in hurricane Ike affected areas. A total of 5,447 leaks have been reported to CenterPoint Energy Gas. Of these, 5,402 have been repaired and 45 are pending. For the 45 pending leaks, crews have been dispatched and the leaks are in various stages of completion. The initial leaks as a result of Hurricane Ike have been repaired. The Company is currently responding to leaks as a result of the electric restoration such as gas lines that are cut as a result of new poles being set or homeowners rebuilding fences.

Brazos County: The Brazos County CEOC is in the process of transferring evacuees to only two shelters.

Chambers County: Chambers County continues to successfully coordinate three PODs. The Sheriff’s Department is coordinating with several State and Federal agencies to assist with animal issues. Public Works is also working with State and Federal partners in assessing and repairing critical infrastructure. The County is continuing to secure shelter resources for displaced citizens.

Galveston County: City of Galveston and Galveston County top priorities include:
• Return of essential services
• return of evacuees
• return of residents to their homes

Local officials plan to open Galveston Island on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, to residents only. TFS and other agencies are standing by in anticipation, to adapt to the changing conditions this may bring. Electrical service has been restored in parts of the City.

Limited water and sewer services have been restored as well. Increasing number of local businesses are re-opening and providing services to responders and to the public.

POD operations are ongoing. Again, PODs have reported a slower distribution rate over the last period, likely due to other services being made available, as retail business locations re-open. PODs report smooth and uninterrupted operations. 2,239 cases of water, 6,400 bags of ice, and 2,239 cases of MREs have been distributed at two POD locations.

Laundry units arrived and should be operational by mid-day tomorrow. Shower trailers are functional and being utilized. Shower vendor estimates approximately 520 showers have been provided. Kitchen has been supplied and provides three meals per day.

The Salvation Army continues to provide drinks, snacks, and meals to workers and residents.

Local, State, and Federal assets are on the ground and are continually working in a coordinated effort to provide for the safety and security of residents and responders.

TXMF is supporting POD operations established and are operating a military field hospital.

DSHS is providing health and safety checks on residents and supporting Baptist Children and Family Services (BCFS).

BCFS is providing the following: local 9-1-1 EMS support; patient transport services; medical support to SAR groups and task forces; medical support to command and staging area; POD support; and high-visibility patrols.

Civil Support Team 6th HAZMAT Recon is supporting TCEQ.

There are several volunteer agencies in the community providing goods and services. The Baptist Men from North Carolina have set up a field kitchen at Garth and Rollingbrook. Those men and women are providing over 60,000 hot meals every day. Our local Red Cross has established two shelters, Wooster Baptist Church and Memorial Baptist Church.

Cuba: Jamaica envía cargamento de ayuda a víctimas de huracán [Sep 22 Santiago de Cuba]--Un donativo enviado por el gobierno jamaicano, de alimentos, agua potable, colchones y otros artículos, llegó hoy al puerto santiaguero para ayudar a los damnificados de los huracanes Gustav y Ike.

El guardacosta Middlesex, de la Armada jamaicana, transportó el cargamento, y junto a su tripulación viajaron cuatro especialistas de la Oficina de Preparación contra Desastres y Emergencias de ese país.

Autoridades del gobierno en la provincia santiaguera recibieron el donativo en nombre del pueblo cubano, y también manifestaron el interés mutuo en el intercambio de información y experiencias sobre el manejo de desastres en la región.

El capitán de fragata Paul Wright, comandante del buque, destacó la importancia dada por el gobierno de su país a la ayuda al pueblo cubano, en atención a la amistad y los lazos históricos de las dos naciones.

Nos sentimos muy honrados de brindar esta ayuda, Jamaica sufrió también los embates del huracán Gustav, que provocó pérdidas materiales muy grandes, pero aún así nos sentimos en el deber de ayudar a Cuba y Haití, pues estos son pueblos hermanos, dijo Wright.

En el cargamento está el aporte de varias empresas, organizaciones y otras entidades de su país, canalizada a través del gobierno, explicó.

Los marinos jamaicanos aprovecharán la oportunidad para intercambiar con sus homólogos cubanos, y realizarán otras actividades en su estancia de unas 24 horas en la rada santiaguera.

Cuba: Día de la Defensa dedicado a resarcir daño de huracanes [Sep 22 Sancti Spiritus]--En una jornada de trabajo para resarcir daños provocados por los huracanes Gustav y Ike se convirtió hoy el Día Territorial de la Defensa en la provincia de Sancti Spíritus, con labores de higienización de poblaciones y centros de trabajo, atenciones culturales a plantaciones dañadas, recogida de cosechas y siembras de ciclo corto, para obtener alimentos en pocos meses, fueron realizadas por los movilizados.

Especial atención se brindó a los organopónicos y huertos intensivos dada la factibilidad de obtener producciones en breve plazo, de igual forma se continuó la cosecha de las áreas arroceras afectadas.

También continuaron la entrega de materiales de construcción y la reparación de viviendas e instalaciones dañadas por los vientos y las lluvias de los meteoros.

Parte de las fuerzas se concentraron en la reparación de viales averiados por las lluvias y en el restablecimiento de las redes eléctricas y telefónicas afectadas por los ciclones.

Cuba: Holguín con más del 70 por ciento del servicio eléctrico [Sep 22 Holguin]--Con el refuerzo de brigadas solidarias de otras provincias, Holguín cuenta ya con más del 70 por ciento de los servicios eléctricos restablecidos en su territorio, afectado seriamente por el huracán Ike.

Junto a los trabajadores holguineros del sector energético, manos humanitarias llegadas desde Granma, Sancti Spíritus, Santiago de Cuba y Ciudad de La Habana prestan su colaboración en varias localidades de la geografía de la nororiental, donde se ensañó el meteoro.

La caída de postes y de árboles sobre tendidos eléctricos devino en una crítica situación en esta rama de vital importancia para la población, pues la provincia quedó totalmente a oscuras tras el paso del evento meteorológico.

Un trabajo progresivo en municipios severamente azotados como Banes, Gibara, Antilla, Rafael Freyre y Holguín permitió recuperar el servicio eléctrico en zonas residenciales y darle vitalidad a centros de la producción y los servicios, entre otros.

Panaderías, centros de elaboración de alimentos para los evacuados, escuelas, hospitales, fábricas y otras instituciones se benefician ya con el vital fluido eléctrico en cada localidad afectada.

Texas: Medical/special needs focused update Sep 20 [Sep 21 Austin]--Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS): Catastrophic Medical Operations Center (CMOC) in Houston requesting DADS Regional staff to assist coordinating nursing facilities placement instead of general population shelter. George R. Brown shelter in Houston has been used as a general pop shelter, and people are now getting out. Before they are consolidated, people will need to be evaluated to see if they need nursing facilities, so they won’t go to centers in Houston and then have to go somewhere else. The concern is placements may need to be for up to three months due to the conditions in Galveston and other places. DADS was asked to identify available nursing facilities beds in the Houston area that can be occupied by these folks.

The executive director of the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART), assisted by personnel from USDA-APHIS-Animal Care, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are working in the TAHC Area Command to coordinate sheltering support for small animals. They're also coordinating with TXSART Advisory Council member
organizations to credential selected animal care groups that are handling the myriad of animal issues in the impacted areas. From information received so far, approximately 110 pets accompanied "special needs" individuals on buses evacuated from risk areas prior to the storm, and a total of around 2,000 pets were sheltered in hosting communities. Nineteen pet shelters are reportedly still open with almost 1,500 animals remaining.

MSN SHELTERS:
• There are currently 24 medical special needs (MSN) shelters open throughout Texas; the current census is approximately 1,500. MSN shelters will continue to open to respond to the needs of the affected regions. The primary goal today is to consolidate MSN shelters to the Houston area; however, some jurisdictions are still not accepting patients. DSHS continues to deploy additional public health, first responders, and other support staff to provide relief to those currently working throughout the affected areas that are now at the end of their deployment period. Additional relief for hospital staff and ambulance strike teams is underway. Additional information is being compiled on patient acuity and area of origin in order to assess appropriate transportation assets and the ability of a jurisdiction to receive them.
• Baptist Child & Family Services (BCFS) is completing a draft plan for consolidation of MSN shelters.

TRANSPORTATION ASSETS:
• Ambulances available – 400
• ParaTransit Seats – 1,500
• Air Assets – one Fixed Wing, three Rotor Wing

VECTOR CONTROL:
• Mosquito control programs in Harris, Jefferson, Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Ft. Bend and Orange Counties are currently conducting and documenting mosquito landing rate counts in their respective areas.
• Mr. Joe Conlon with the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) has offered AMCA assistance if needed.
• Entomologists with Texas AgriLife Extension Service will be conducting mosquito landing rate counts in those disaster counties that lack mosquito control programs.
• DSHS has developed and is currently implementing a Vector Control Plan. Mosquito Control District programs have initiated mosquito landing rate counts in preparation of intervention at the appropriate time.

CALL CENTER:
• The Reentry Person Locator Call Center is currently operational 0700 hrs to 2200 hrs and available to assist in locating evacuees.

DMORT:
• Continuing collaboration with DMORT staff.
• Unidentified remains in Texas (projected number of 20-25) will be transported to DPMU (to be located in Louisiana) for ID, re-casketing, and return.
• 16 disinterred caskets remain unidentified at Hollywood Cemetery in Orange.

APHT:
• Applied Health Team (APHT) of federal and state experts including epidemiologists, sanitarians and a disaster response engineer to support local jurisdictions affected by Hurricane Ike in community and shelter assessments and recovery operations. The APHT has arrived in Austin and DSHS staff is meeting with APHT command team today, 9/20/2008. Part of the team (one epidemiologist, one sanitarian and one disaster response engineer) will be deployed to Orange on Monday, 9/21/2008.

The University of Texas Medical Branch opened four clinics on the mainland on 09/18/08, from which residents can obtain their medications. They are: Texas City Clinic at 6400 Memorial Drive at the intersection of HWY 3 and Memorial (409-938-8466); League City Pediatrics and Family HealthCare, 6465 South Shore Blvd., Suite 500 at the intersection of HWY 96 and South Shore Blvd., directly behind Kroger (281-538-7735); Friendswood Pediatric, Adult and Specialty Care, 128 West Parkwood at the corner of 528 and 518, next to 24 Hour Fitness (281-482-5695); and After Hours Pediatric Urgent Care, 3023 Marian Bay Blvd., League City, TX (281-334-6578). Open weekdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends, from noon until 8 p.m.

Brazos County: The Brazos County CEOC is in the process of transferring evacuees to only two shelters.

Harris County/City of Houston: All City of Houston departments have been engaged during the response phases of Hurricane Ike. Departments are continuing assessments of facilities and infrastructure.

The CMOC continues to coordinate Medical Operations for the region, to include the City. Hospitals are beginning to come back online. Operational hours have been curtailed to 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. The MACG is currently being coordinated by the EMC in Fort Bend County, and regular conference calls are being held that include representation from the City of Houston. GDEM continues to provide an RLO in the EOC, who has been trying to help the City of Houston track unmet resource requests. All federal agencies represented in the EOC (DHS, FEMA, USACE) continue to support resource requests. Significant unmet needs at this time include management of medical special needs in a community with over 50% of the population still being without electrical power.

Ongoing Shelter Operations at the GRB transitioning to a pure Medical Special Needs Shelter. All general population evacuees are being moved to other shelter sites as they become available. Four Red Cross shelters were open on Friday, September 19. As of 8:00 p.m. CDT, 419 remain in the GRB. Coordination between Red Cross sites has continued to create some confusion on movement during transition from the GRB to other shelter locations.

POD sites have been operating for four days and are reducing operations. The Mobile POD operations have been suspended. This has been a combined planning and execution effort between the City of Houston, Harris County, CERT Volunteers, as well as Federal and State assets.

The POD locations are operating on Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PODs in the Houston city limits will not have water. Most PODs will have only ice. Some PODs will have Meals Ready to Eat (MREs). The POD at Clyde Abshire, Deer Park Football Stadium will close permanently at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, September 20, 2008.

Three hospitals continue to have needs for deliveries of water and ice, and two still need diesel for generator operations. Mobile POD will be in operation to support fixed facilities.

Baptist Hermann Memorial Hospital, Orange, is operational and accepting patients. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) began immunizations today for first responders and essential personnel. TDAP immunizations will be made available to the general public beginning September 22, 2008. Immunizations will begin in Bridge City first.

FEMA has established a Mobile Emergency Registration Center at the Bridge City High School in Bridge City. This center opened immediately following today’s news conference. American Red Cross (ARC) has established four (4) fixed and mobile feeding sites in Orange, Bridge City and Rose City. The Salvation Army (TSA) has established four fixed and mobile feeding sites in Orange, Bridge City, West Orange and Vidor. Pathfinders has established a feeding site in Bridge City and is performing door-to-door welfare checks.

2-1-1: September 19, 2008, the 2-1-1 system handled 11,616 calls. Due to platform capacity issues some callers are hearing a fast busy signal. 2-1-1 continues to work with DIR to resolve the issue. In addition, a separate telephone number for callers seeking food stamp assistance has been set up and should alleviate the situation.
Since September 9, 2008, the 2-1-1 Texas system has handled 186,111 calls.
One gulf coast Area Information Centers (AIC’s) in Beaumont remains closed due to storm damage. AIC’s across the state are still contributing 100% of total staff and volunteers to respond to information and referral calls related to Hurricane Ike. All have extended business hours as needed. The Disaster Kit remains operational 24/7 in Austin staffed by volunteers from across state agencies, community volunteers and Alliance of Information System volunteers from across the United States. At 11:30 a.m. today, September 20, 2008, our call volume was 2,688.

Deaflink: The Deaflink/Shelter Link units continue to be utilized to provide communication access between shelter staff, FEMA personnel, and hearing impaired evacuees.

All emergency information and alerts for Presidio, Texas are being formatted by the Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS) and made accessible for persons with disabilities who are enrolled in Texas’s AHAS program. Deaflink continues to supply AHAS data to the recovery process.

2-1-1, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Department of Transportation, and FEMA are working with Deaflink to provide seamless access to information through the for persons with disabilities.

Deaflink is encouraging current subscribers to the AHAS to share information with other individuals with disabilities in their areas and encourage them (if they have access to power) to register with the AHAS in order to receive important information from and emergency alerts related to their areas.

The Governor’s Division of Emergency Management (GDEM)/Deaflink have prepared an accessible public service announcement (PSA) for broadcasters to air, encouraging individuals with disabilities in Texas to register with Texas's Accessible Hazard Alert Program - Individual Notification (AHAS-IN) to receive individual notification in the communication modality best suited to their disability that affects how they receive information (blind, hearing impaired, hard of hearing or individuals who are hearing impaired and blind).

The TFS EOC is coordinating with Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) to provide 19 ambulances and 118 EMT/Paramedics to assist the Department of State Health Services with patient evacuations. Ten engine companies, rescue truck, an ambulance and a swift-water search and rescue team have been sent to Orange County to aid local fire departments. An engine has been sent to UTMB in Galveston.

American Red Cross (ARC): At this time the American Red Cross is operating 92 shelters with a population of 11,106. There are 114 vehicles providing feeding, served 219,162 meals, 632,771 meals have been served to-date. There are 2,460 disaster workers providing these services.

Public Utilities Commission (PUC): There are approximately 1.2 million total customers in Texas currently without power. This is down from a peak of 4.87 million reported on September 13, 2008. CenterPoint Energy has restored power to at least 1 million customers thus far in the Houston/Galveston/Harris County area, out of a peak of 2.1 million customers. Approximately 47.35% (983,490) of its total customers are still without power. Approximately 35% of Entergy Texas customers are without power in the Port Arthur/Beaumont area (139,361 out of 397,451 total customers). East Texas Coop, 20 companies, municipalities, and cooperatives have reported limited outages. Texas-New Mexico power reports 75% of customers have had power restored. Overall, approximately 36% of customers reported are without power.

The SOC Liaison Officer (LSO) team continues working generator requests for hospitals/medical facilities, emergency continuity of government facilities, shelters and water/wastewater systems. Currently there are over 260 requests totaling over 700 individual generators in the 15 KV to 2 MW size range. Smaller units requested are generally purchased or leased locally. The COE has provided most of the big ones for hospitals, shelters, emergency facilities and some water/wastewater facilities; many of the water and wastewater requests have been filled through TXWARN and other industry associations, and in coordination with the TCEQ. Many of these requests are being closed as electric power is restored to the area.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): The following is a brief description of the current TCEQ Hurricane Ike Emergency/Disaster Recovery Actions to include:

Assessing 1,394 PWS facilities in 10 counties. To date 552 facilities reported as operational, 295 reported as non-operational, and we were unable to establish contact with 547 facilities.

Assessing 740 (corrected from 746) WWTP facilities in 10 counties. To date 279 facilities reported as operational, 139 reported as non-operational, and we were unable to establish contact with 322 facilities.

Monitoring 332 Boil water notices, of which approximately 51 have already been rescinded.

Texas: DSHS - Galveston Island not a safe place to live following storm [Sep 18 Austin]--The Texas Department of State Health Services joins local officials in urging citizens of Galveston to leave the island temporarily due to conditions that pose a risk to their health.

“I have toured Galveston Island and other areas along the coast to view the conditions,” said Dr. David Lakey, Commissioner for the Texas Department of State Health Services. “I do not believe Galveston Island is a suitable place for people to live safely at this time because it does not have the basic resources to support citizen health.”

Lakey pointed to conditions in Galveston that present a risk to the population’s health.

* No running water
* No wastewater service
* Toilets that have not been flushed for almost a week
* Limited or no electrical power
* No medical care with the exception of temporary urgent care.

“These conditions present a serious health situation,” Lakey said. “No electricity or gas means you can’t boil water or cook your food. Little or no power means no refrigeration and no air conditioning. Without running water, you can’t properly wash your hands or clean utensils. Lack of a sewer system creates conditions that breed diseases. And few doctors and health facilities mean that medical conditions and injuries cannot be treated quickly.” Lakey noted that residents are at risk of things such as:

* Infectious diseases including diarrheal illnesses caused by bacteria such as salmonella and shigella and viruses such as norovirus.
* Overheating
* Foodborne illnesses.

“People should listen to and follow the recommendations of local authorities about not remaining in the community,” Lakey said.

Louisiana: Almost 25,000 homes were flooded during Ike [Sep 18 Baton Rouge]--So far, parish officials are reporting to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) approximately 24,774 homes flooded as the result of Hurricane Ike. While these are estimated and preliminary numbers, here is the breakdown:

* Jefferson 2,500
* Lafourche 24
* St. John 100
* Terrebone 15,000
* Calcasieu 1,500
* Cameron 3,000
* Iberia 1,000
* St. Mary 450
* Vermilion 1,000
* St. Tammany 200
* Tangipahoa 60
* St. Bernard 22

Tangipahoa Parish also reports four (4) businesses and one (1) fire station flooded during Hurricane Ike.

Damage assessments are ongoing at the local, state and federal levels.

Louisiana: Donations being accepted [Sep 18 Gretna]--The City of Gretna and Jefferson Parish are conducting a clothing drive for residents of Jean Lafitte, Barataria, and Crown Point. The public is asked to donate to this worthy cause.

Donations will be accepted beginning Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 9 a.m. and through Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 5 p.m. Donations can be brought to the American Legion Hall, Post 64 (located at Mel Ott Park), 2301 Belle Chasse Highway in Gretna.

Please note:

* Children's tennis shoes would be greatly appreciated.
* It is requested that clothing be placed on hangers (or provide hangers).

For more information, please call (504) 400-3909.

Texas: CenterPoint Energy updates projected service restoration timeline [Sep 18 Houston]--CenterPoint Energy announced today that based on damage assessment data obtained over the last few days, the company projects the following timeline, indicating approximately 80 percent restoration per region:

77002, 77003, 77004, 77005, 77006, 77007, 77008, 77009, 77010, 77011, 77012, 77013, 77014, 77015, 77016, 77017, 77018, 77019, 77020, 77021, 77022, 77023, 77025, 77026, 77027, 77028, 77029, 77030, 77033, 77034, 77035, 77036, 77037, 77038, 77040, 77044, 77045, 77046, 77047, 77048, 77051, 77053, 77054, 77056, 77057, 77058, 77059, 77060, 77061, 77062, 77063, 77064, 77066, 77067, 77068, 77069, 77070, 77071, 77073, 77074, 77075, 77076, 77078, 77081, 77085, 77086, 77087, 77088, 77089, 77090, 77091, 77093, 77096, 77098, 77379, 77380, 77386, 77388, 77389, 77401, 77422, 77459, 77489, 77502, 77503, 77504, 77505, 77506, 77507, 77510, 77515, 77517, 77518, 77520, 77521, 77530, 77531, 77532, 77534, 77535, 77536, 77539, 77541, 77545, 77546, 77547, 77550, 77551, 77554, 77563, 77565, 77566, 77568, 77571, 77573, 77578, 77581, 77583, 77584, 77586, 77587, 77590, 77591, 77598

Texas: Evacuation restrictions lifted for many cities [Sep 18 Harris County]--A vast majority of mayors have lifted the evacuation restrictions for several cities near Galveston Bay. Residents are welcomed back, but city mayors remind returning residents that cities are still without power and many still have boil water notices in effect.

THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE SPECIAL NEEDS EVACUEES

The following is a list of evacuation restrictions and boil water notices for individual cities:

Texas: Bolivar Peninsula update [Sep 18 Galveston County]-- * Law Enforcement has been on Bolivar Peninsula: Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Rangers, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Task Force One have provided security since the storm

* Transportation:
Hwy 87 @ Boyt Road has been washed out and is impassible
Rollover Pass Bridge is not structurally sound and UNSAFE for the public to cross

* Supplies:
Coordination with the Red Cross for a CANTEEN (Hot Meals) and POD for Ice and Water to be placed adjacent to the school.

* There is NO Water, No Electricity, and several health hazards
* Check point will be moved to Hwy 124 and Weeks Road
* Curfew is still in effect from 7 pm until 6 am
* Galveston County is coordinating with the Corp of Engineers and TxDOT to make temporary access repairs until permanent repairs can be completed
* TxDOT is already working on repairs for the Bolivar Ferry Landing
* High Island Buildings and homes are damaged. Crystal Beach, Gilchrist and Port Bolivar all sustained major damage. Efforts to rebuild theses Communities are underway.
* ONLY HIGH ISLAND RESIDENTS ARE BEING ALLOWED TO RETURN.

Texas: Hurricane Ike hotline number changed to 713-368-2741 [Sep 18 Harris County]--Effective today, September 18, 2008, the telephone number for the Hurricane Ike Hotline operated by the Harris County Office of Homeland Security &
Emergency Management has changed from 713-881-3100 to 713-368-2741.

CAMBIO DE NÚMERO DE TELÉFONO
AL 713-368-2741
Efectivo hoy, 18 de septiembre, 2008, el número de teléfono para informes
sobre el huracán Ike del Condado de Harris ha cambiado de 713-881-3100 a
713-368-2741.

Texas: Prescriptions for Ike evacuees [Sep 18 Harris County]-- For Hurricane Ike evacuees from a declared disaster location who need prescriptions filled for medications or durable medical equipment):

Any evacuee who needs a prescription filled must have one of the
following:

* A written prescription from a licensed health care provider . A
prescription phoned or faxed in from a licensed health care provider to a
licensed pharmacy in Texas. A current prescription bottle indicating a
remaini. Other proof of an existing prescription . Note: prescriptions for Schedule II drugs (commonly referred to as narcotics) must be written and cannot be refilled.

If in a special medical needs or a general population shelter in Texas:

* Those with prescription insurance or other third-party coverage can
receive at least a 7-day supply of the medication.
* The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will pay the copay
amount for the prescription.
* The above prescriptions can be filled by HEB or Walgreens.
* Those eligible for the federal Emergency Prescription Assistance Program
(EPAP) can receive a 30-day supply of any needed medications. There is no
charge or co-pay to the eligible person. EPAP # is 1.866.935.4135.
* The EPAP-covered prescriptions can be filled at almost any pharmacy in
Texas.
* The pharmacy is responsible for verifying eligibility for the EPAP
program.
* The Shelter Manager or his/her designee is responsible for verifying
shelter residence.

If in the general population:

* Those eligible for the federal Emergency Prescription Assistance Program
(EPAP) can receive a 30-day supply of any needed medications. There is no
charge or co-pay to the eligible person.
* The EPAP-covered prescriptions can be filled at almost any pharmacy in
Texas.
* The pharmacy is responsible for verifying eligibility for the EPAP
program.

Eligibility for the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program:

* Must be from a county declared as a disaster area as a result of Hurricane
Ike. A list of Hurricane Ike disaster-declared counties is available at:
www.fema.gov/femaNews/disasterSearch.do
* Must have no prescription insurance coverage.

Other:

* A list of Hurricane Ike disaster-declared counties is available at:
www.fema.gov/femaNews/disasterSearch.do
* EPAP is a joint program of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency
and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
* EPAP prescription service period: September 12 through September 22, 2008.
* DSHS prescription co-pay service period: Sept. 9 through Sept. 30, 2008.
* Evacuees in shelters should check with shelter staff for prescription
assistance.

Texas: Houston Public Library provides expanded access to computers and the internet [Sep 18 Houston]--The Houston Public Library has begun opening locations in Houston, providing Houstonians with access to all services, including computers and the Internet.

Where possible, computer training labs and meeting rooms are being turned into Hurricane Ike Assistance Rooms to file for FEMA aid and insurance claims online, and emailing family and friends (assistance in accessing these online resources is being provided by on-site librarians). Other Library facilities are being equipped with laptops to increase the number of computers available to customers. Hours of operation for through Friday are 10 AM to 7 PM.

Six Library locations are providing services as of Thursday, September 18. Others will open in the following days depending on availability of power and water, as well as the determination of damages to individual facilities on a case-by-case basis.

1. NOW OPEN -- Clayton Library, Center for Genealogical Research, 5300 Caroline, 77004, 832-393-2600
2. NOW OPEN -- McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library, 7405 Stella Link, 77025, 832-393-2630
3. Central Library, 500 McKinney, 77002, 832-393-1313
4. Julia Ideson Building (JIB), 500 McKinney, 77002, 832-393-1313
5. Kendall Neighborhood Library, 14330 Memorial Drive, 77079, 832-393-1880
6. HPL Express Discovery Green, located in Discovery Green Park (downtown, across the street from the George R. Brown Convention Center), 1300 McKinney, R2, 77010

In addition, HPL Mobile Express, the Houston Public Library mobile computer-training lab, is being deployed to neighborhood libraries. HPL Mobile Express is a "lab on wheels" that brings access to the technology and programs to high-need neighborhoods, allowing customers to proceed on filing for FEMA aid and insurance claims online, and contacting family and friends via email.

Wireless BroadbandAccess air cards, generously provided by Verizon Wireless, will allow the Houston Public Library to provide access to web-based resources to neighborhoods where the libraries have not opened yet.

HPL Mobile Express will be at these locations 10 AM to 7 PM:

* Thursday, September 18 – McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library, 5411 Pardee St., 77026,
832-393-2450
* Friday, September 19 – Bracewell Neighborhood Library, 10115 Kleckley, 77075, 832-393-2580

Texas: Laura Recovery Center extends missing person hotline to those affected by Ike [Sep 18 Galveston County]--The Laura Recovery Center, in cooperation with the Galveston County Emergency Management Office, has activated a hotline for those searching for missing friends and family who live in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The hotline is available by calling the Center at 1-866-898-5723 or 281-482-5723. Unincorporated areas of Galveston County include Bolivar Peninsula, Bacliff/San Leon, Freddieville and Algoa.

Those calling should have their contact information available, as well as information about the person they are searching for, including:

. Description of the individual
. Address
. Last time they were in contact with the individual . Plans the individual had for the storm . A picture of the missing person if available

Information is transmitted to the Galveston County Emergency Management Office and is used by first responders searching for missing persons.

The Laura Recovery Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in Laura Smither's memory. The Center focuses on Education, Search, and Prevention in the area of missing children, has offered free abduction prevention programs to over 160,000 children throughout the greater Houston area, worked with over 1,300 families with missing loved ones, and has organized over 80 community searches for abducted children nationwide. The Center trains law enforcement at the Houston Police Department training academy and distributes educational materials and child ID kits.

Texas: TNG distribute basic necessities to Gulf Coast area [Sep 18 Texas City]--For National Guard Soldiers here in Texas City; shouts, thumps, beeps and the growl of hundreds of idling engines combined to produce a steady soundtrack for emergency point-of-distribution (POD) operations in the HEB parking lot.

For the residents in the Gulf Coast area of Texas, many facing more days without power or water service, POD’s are a source of basic supplies such as clean water, ice and food for their families and friends. The Texas National Guard has set up over twenty POD’s throughout the areas hit by Hurricane Ike, including Galveston Island.

“This operation was a ‘put out a fire’ decision to meet the needs of Texas City residents,” said 1st Lieutenant Robert Kueber, a platoon leader with the 236th Military Police Company in San Antonio, Texas. Because of the short notice of the operation, the POD is a combined effort between several units, including the 536th Brigade Support Battalion at Camp Bullis in San Antonio and 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, also in San Antonio.

“The POD started operations three days ago,” said Sergeant First Class Karl August from E Company, 536th Brigade Support Battalion, and it’s been consistently busy. “It starts at 8 a.m. and it doesn’t stop until it’s dark,” August said.

Despite the climbing temperatures and the never-ending line of cars, the Soldiers manning this POD are upbeat and motivated, said August. “We can’t focus on the bad things that have happened here,” he said, “but the good things we’re doing.” The faster the Soldiers work, he said, “the faster (we) can help the community.”

“These guys are more motivated than almost any Soldiers I’ve ever worked with,” said 1st Lieutenant Kueber. “They just want to keep at it all day.”

Captain Ross Clements, with the Texas City Police Department, says the PODs are a “great deal of help,” before the basic city infrastructure is restored. “They’ve been incredible,” he said, and “not just in Texas City, but at Galveston Island, LaMarque, all over.”

According to both August and Kueber, the interaction between Soldiers and residents has been very positive. “The local community has been taking care of us really well,” said August. To thank the Soldiers for their hard work, a barbeque pit has been set up in the evenings and “that gives us our motivation for the next day. The community is giving back considerably.” Residents have also brought sodas and Gatorade for the workers to say “thank you.”

For Kueber, being able to respond to local disasters quickly is “one of the best things about the National Guard. We can bring a lot of people and equipment to the table on short notice, because we’re already here in the community.”

Being able to help fellow Texans and to know that help is appreciated is what keeps August responding to the call. “This city has taken care of us and they’ve also kept our motivation high,” he said. “We’ve heard nothing but praise. We appreciate it and that’s enough for us.”

Texas: Medical/special needs focused update Sep 17 [Sep 18]--Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): Texas Department of State Health Services continues to provide assistance to State, Region, and local health departments to meet their public health needs.

DSHS provided tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis A and flu vaccine to Beaumont and the Orange County health departments.

DSHS also shipped more than 350 oxygen canisters to medical special needs facilities.

DSHS continues to coordinate with the Texas End Stage Renal Disease Network and the Texas End Stage Renal Disease Emergency Coalition to meet the needs of dialysis patients in need of treatment.

DSHS also continues to coordinate the return of medical special needs evacuees from Texas coastal areas not heavily affected by Hurricane Ike. Currently, DSHS is providing support services for search and rescue (SAR) efforts. Task Force Ike teams continue to provide immediate triage, public health screening, and evacuation support for individuals on Galveston Island.

DSHS continues to provide disaster behavioral support to the affected areas. DSHS deployed one team (6 disaster behavioral health specialists) to assist Houston area; two 4–5 person Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams to assist DSHS Task Force Ike personnel. Teams deployed at 11:00 a.m. DSHS and other Mental Health Agencies/Partners have met to coordinate mental health efforts by drafting a tactical planning document for implementation and an update on current activities. Logistical support for this effort will be provided by the DSHS MACC.

The DSHS plan that addresses the special medical needs for individuals with end stage renal disease (ESRD) is fully operational. Currently, nine patients were transported to Dallas for treatment and sheltering. We are currently reassessing the needs as Houston ESRD centers become operational. DSHS continues to process and fill requests for oxygen. Airgas in Houston is now operational and delivering oxygen tanks to providers.

DSHS Austin Pharmacy continues to fulfill requests from affected areas for vaccine and other medications. Enhanced shelter epidemiological surveillance support to Health Service Regions and Local Health Departments has been offered.

The General Shelter Surveillance Form is available on the DSHS website and in the WebEOC File Library. Health Service Regions are asked to forward forms to DSHS MACC for compilation of data into a summary report.

The Medical Special Needs Shelter status list has been updated and reported to the State Operations Center (SOC) and the Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC).

As of 0921 hours, 9/17/08, 37 MSN Shelters are open; housing 2,868 MSN patients and family members. There are 3,152 MSN beds available. Total capacity of MSN beds in Texas (filled and available) is 6,020.

Total number of individuals in all FMS shelters is 392; 398 FMS beds are still available.

The Applied Public Health Team (APHT) is expected to arrive in Austin on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. The team will provide support to health service regions with a variety of public health services. APHT will receive an orientation in Austin and specific assignments for the 45 member team will be determined on September 18, 2008.

Of the 103 hospitals in the Houston area, 88 are open on caution, divert, internal disaster status; 15 are still evacuated/closed; and 5 are running on generator power.

DSHS continues to return Louisiana evacuees related to Hurricane Gustav. Medical transportation assets are being made available to support re-entry efforts for Hurricane Ike evacuees from non affected areas, and to support the return of Medical Special Needs individuals for point-to-point transfers.

Dallas began with 23 MSN evacuees from Louisiana (Gustav) and DSHS has returned 16. DSHS is currently working to return 50 of the original 97 Louisiana (Gustav) evacuees. The re-entry tracking process has been communicated to Health Service Regions. Procedures and forms to facilitate the process are available and have been posted on the DSHS WebEOC and the ESF-8 Significant Events boards. A statewide MSN re-entry on board has been created in WebEOC.

The Vector Control Plan is currently operational. Assessments for mosquito control are currently being done for Galveston, Jefferson, Chambers, Brazoria, and Harris Counties. DSHS vector control personnel are working with regional vector control specialists to offer assistance and address their current needs.

Transportation assets remains as follows: 500 ambulances in staging, 140 ambulances, 7 fixed wing aircraft and 13 helicopters in San Antonio and 19 strike teams with Task Force Ike.

2-1-1: Texas Information and Referral Network (TIRN) personnel continue working on the Disaster Database and on telephone systems. Two Gulf Coast Area Information Centers (AICs) remain closed due to storm damage. Callers from impacted areas continue receiving assistance from AICs across Texas, which have extended their business hours. The 2-1-1 system continues receiving volunteer support from the following: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Alliance of Information and Referral System members from Virginia and Michigan, Department of Information Resources, United Way staff and volunteers, and spontaneous community staff. Based on 2-1-1 call data, the top informational needs are: re-entry; post-disaster food and water; FEMA assistance; special medical assistance; financial assistance; food stamp; energy; home repair; road closures; school closures; post-disaster cash grants; debris removal; and evacuee location.

CenterPoint Energy: As of Tuesday, September 16, 2008, CenterPoint Energy completed assessments of approximately 98% of the affected area’s natural gas distribution system. Access remains limited to about 2% of their system due to high water in coastal areas. They will continue to assess their gas system as the water subsides. Of 3,657 natural gas leaks reported, 3,258 have been repaired. Electric service has been restored to CenterPoint’s Kuykendahl CNG fueling station. This will allow CenterPoint Energy to continue supporting Texas Gas Service in Galveston and other pipeline-supply integrity mechanisms. CenterPoint Energy continues communicating with the Texas Rail Road Commission (RRC) to identify damage.

The Tyler DDC is now directing evacuees to the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. Utility outages remain problematic in this area.

The Alamo Area Regional Command (AARC) is scaling back operations. Additionally, the AARC continues receiving post-impact evacuees. Re-entry operations remain a top priority.

Search and Rescue operations are complete. All SAR Aviation assets have been released to the Texas Military Forces (TXMF) Aviation Officer for release or reassignment as needed. All State and Federal Urban Search and Rescue (US&R).
Teams are in the process of reconstituting and decontaminating response equipment in addition to preparing for demobilization.

The SOC LNO team works generator requests for Medical Facilities, Government Facilities, Shelters, and Water Systems. There are over 150 requests totaling 400-500 individual generators in the 15 KV to 2 MW size range.

17 Extension family and consumer sciences and 4-H youth specialists serving on the agency’s Incident Resource Teams are activated to support 81 Extension agents to support GDEM with family health, food and water safety, hygiene, home damage response, consumer fraud, public assistance information and education regarding local. state and federal assistance.

TCEQ is providing staff for flyovers to identify releases or spills from facilities which handle HAZMAT as well as investigating the integrity of facilities which handle HAZMAT. TCEQ staff are locating, identifying and staging “orphan drums” dislocated by storms and overseeing staging and disposal of household and industrial HAZMAT.

TCEQ is currently assessing 1,394 PWS facilities in 10 counties. To date 125 facilities reported as operational, 160 reported as non-operational, and we were unable to establish contact with 1,109 facilities. TCEQ is currently assessing 746 WWTP facilities in 10 counties. To date 95 facilities reported as operational, 88 reported as non-operational, and we were unable to establish contact with 563 facilities. For the facilities that we were unable to contact, TCEQ will continue the daily phone assessments in addition to prioritizing and conducting field assessments with our emergency response Strike Team and Regional Offices, as appropriate. The TCEQ is compiling a Boil Water Notice list daily that is being provided to the State Operations Center. To date, TCEQ is monitoring 222 Boil water notices.

Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS): DARS is coordinating with HHS on office assessments. The extent of damage as of yesterday was only 5 of 27 DARS offices were impacted in the Houston region. Many Houston region employees were impacted by the storm. Some progress has been made in the assessment of the condition of DARS office sites but it is still too early to determine when some of the offices may be functional again. Some areas are still not accessible due to evacuation orders while others are in some form of repair (power outages, facility damage, voice/data inoperable, etc.). The other factor is that many of the staff assigned to these offices have evacuated to various parts of the state or adjacent states and have not, or are unable, to return at this time. The Crockett DRS, Nacogdoches DRS, and Lufkin DBS/DRS Offices re-opened for business at 8:00 am on Wednesday, September 17th. The following offices are closed all day Wednesday, September 17, 2008 until further notice: Alvin DRS; Bay City DRS; Baytown DRS; Beaumont DBS; Beaumont DRS; Clear Lake DRS; Conroe DRS; Galveston DRS; Galveston Transitional Learning Community DRS; Houston Central DRS; Houston DBS/DRS; Houston DBS Southeast; Houston East End DRS; Houston Hobby DRS; Houston Multi-service Center DRS; Houston North DRS; Houston Regional DRS; Houston South DRS; Houston Southwest DRS; Humble DRS; Huntsville DRS; Katy DRS; Lake Jackson DRS; Liberty DRS; Livingston DRS; Pasadena DRS; Port Arthur DRS; Rosenberg DRS; Texas City DRS; Tomball DRS and Wharton DRS.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): A complete listing of DFPS office closures is available on the Web site. Agency continues to plan for re-entry and demobilization. HHSC RAS teams are assessing agency offices in the affected areas and determining the viability of offices. DFPS is working on plans for providing services in the affected areas in the event that offices are not habitable. Statewide intake evacuation hotline is operational and taking calls. Regions report no unmet needs at this time. DFPS is monitoring reports that involve children or elderly victims. DFPS is staffing the SOC 7/7.

Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR): Chambers and Liberty Counties have requested "HAM radio" support for their communications needs. The Judges of each county are working jointly in the Chambers County Judge's office. DIR spoke with the SOC's AARL / ARES contact. He is enroute to Hurricane Ike Eastern area and will contact someone in San Antonio to provide the support. DIR received a request from the 911 coordinator in Fort Worth, to send additional TERT (Telecommunications Emergency Response Team) personnel to relieve dispatchers in Seabrook and Pasadena, Texas.

The TFS Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is coordinating with Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) to provide 19 ambulances and 118 EMT/Paramedics to assist the Department of State Health Services with patient evacuations. Ten engine companies, rescue truck, an ambulance and a swift-water search and rescue team have been sent to Orange County to aid local fire departments. An engine has been sent to UTMB in Galveston.

Two TFS employees are assisting with getting University of Texas Medical Branch hospital operations established. Walk-up patient and 911 patient care has been turned over to the Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Five TFS employees are assisting with situation assessment and resource tracking for the evacuation of citizens from UTMB. Twenty members from the Regional teams, led by TFS managers, are in Orange County, to assist local government in re-establishing operations. The teams continue to gain additional situational awareness in the devastated area, manage points of distribution (POD) operations, maintain a staging area, coordinate relocation of evacuated citizens to San Antonio and provide communications equipment.

The team of TGS employees are working with the City of Galveston officials to restore gas service to the priority locations as soon as possible. These locations include fresh and waste water treatment facilities, emergency management facilities, and the medical complex. In the immediate interim, TGS brought in compressed natural gas (CNG) trailers to help start up emergency generators at key locations around town. Through cooperation from CenterPoint Energy, TGS is borrowing two of their large CNG trailers to hook up the City's main Freshwater Treatment Plant. This will allow the City to power their pumps and have water flowing back into their lines.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): HHSC has arranged for 1322 truckloads of water (47,972,736 bottles) and 1161 truckloads of ice (53,638,200 lbs of ice). HHSC has logistical staff at the Resource Staging Areas in Lufkin, Houston, Beaumont and San Antonio. HHSC is hiring staff for the Other Needs Assistance program and preparing to process disaster grants for losses due to Hurricane Ike. HHSC has hired a field coordinator to be deployed to the affected areas and will staff the Disaster Recovery Centers to assist the disaster victims with assistance that is available. HHSC will process Other Needs Disaster Assistance payments starting today. Many offices in Region 5 remain closed due to storm damage, loss of power and local curfews. The following cities re-opened at 8 a.m. today: Buna, Center, Crockett, Hemphill, Jasper, Lufkin, and Nacogdoches. Many offices in Region 6 remain closed due to storm damage, loss of power and local curfews. The following cities re-opened at 8 a.m. today: Bellville, Brookshire, Eagle Lake, Hempstead, the 9 Houston offices, Humble, Huntsville, Katy, two Rosenberg offices, and the two Wharton offices. The offices in Caldwell, Madisonville, and Navasota are closed due to power outages. The Presidio office on Highway 67 is closed due to flooding.

Texas Military Forces (TXMF): The TXMF were activated on September 7th at the request of the Governor in support of Hurricane Ike. The TXMF has been tasked to activate up to 7,500. The TXMF have supported the following coastal communities: Victoria, Bay City, Galveston, Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur, Vidor, Port Neches, Pasadena, Houston, Columbus, Lufkin, Carthage, Madisonville, Tyler, DFW, Garland, San Antonio, Mineola, Marshall, Longview, and the Coastal Bend area. They have supported bus staging areas, ground evacuation hubs, temporary fuel points, air evacuation hubs, ground/air SAR operations and shelter operations. The TXMF is also supporting re-entry operations (Mass Care Teams, Resource Staging Areas, and Points of Distribution) and Task Force Ike Operations.

Travis County/City of Austin: The Austin/Travis County EOC continued 24-hour operations with representation from several area agencies. There were 5 operating shelters hosting 1,852 total evacuees. The City of Austin and partner Agencies continue to consolidate shelters, assist evacuees desiring to return home, and preparing for long term sheltering operations.

United States Border Patrol (USBP): On September 9, 2008, the USBP activated a total of 34 Border Patrol Agents, 24 from Del Rio and 10 from El Paso. The 34 agents were separated and teamed up with professional medical care providers to staff seventeen medic-buses. Agents were part of an effort to evacuate special need citizens from the anticipated target areas. The agents worked active missions beginning September 9 through September 16 until they were demobilized on September 17 and returned home.

[Verizon Business needs assistance with a permit from the City of Houston to park a large trailer mounted generator on the street in Downtown Houston at 802 Texas Street. The 600 kW generator trailer is 45 ft in length and will be used to provide power to the curbside power connection supplying power to our downtown telecommunications site at 600 Travis. This site is supporting ongoing communications/network for various NS/EP organizations including DHS, FEMA, and DOD. The generator is needed indefinitely (at least until repairs to onsite power equipment and cooling systems are completed and commercial power is stable). Have forwarded to Houston RLO to assist in securing the permit via the City of Houston. A representative with the City of Houston has responded to the request that Verizon Business submitted for a permit to park a generator at 802 Texas in downtown Houston. He mentioned that the requirement for a parking permit has been rescinded through the end of the week. Verizon Business will check back with the City of Houston next week to determine if the waiver has been lifted and determine if a need exists to get a permit.]

Many dialysis patients have evacuated from coastal areas to other parts of Texas . Others have remained in counties where their usual treatment services are not available.

The toll-free emergency locator service is available 24 hours a day and is provided by the Texas End Stage Renal Disease Network and the Texas End Stage Renal Disease Emergency Coalition.

Dialysis patients are encouraged to watch fluid-intake and to heed dietary precautions.

People on dialysis need to receive the blood-cleansing treatment three times a week to stay alive.

DSHS also urges those who evacuated affected areas to wait for official word from state or local officials before returning to their homes.

Texas: Brazoria County progress report [Sep 17]-- At zero plus seven days, Brazoria County is progressing on its way to recovery from Hurricane Ike. The power companies continue to make progress with the restoration of power. With that restoration, we see more and more grocery stores and gas stations open.

Our most pressing need is groceries and gasoline. Electricity is the next most vital need. If we were totally recovered from the power outage, our other issues would disappear. The full restoration of power would also allow us to bring our “Special Needs” people back home.

The Brazoria County POD’s have been limited in the amount of needs met because of the difficulty in getting water, ice and food. The supplies for the POD’s have been late in coming and lacking in number. The Red Cross and Faith Based Organizations have been instrumental in providing commodities to the POD’s. Without their support, we would be in worse shape than we are.

The Mandatory Evacuation for Brazoria County has been lifted. If you plan on returning to the county, you must realize we still do not have 100% electrical coverage in the county. There is a very good chance that you do not have electricity at your home.

Texas: Galveston County OEM actives missing persons hotline [Sep 17]-- The Galveston County Office of Emergency Management has activated a hotline to call for those searching for missing friends and family who live in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The hotline is available by calling 1-866-898-5723. Unincorporated areas of Galveston County include Bolivar Peninsula, Bacliff/San Leon, Freddieville and Algoa.

Those calling should have their contact information available, as well as information about the person they are searching for, including:

* Description of the individual
* Address
* Last time they were in contact with the individual
* Plans the individual had for the storm

Texas: Salvation Army meal distribution locations [Sep 17 Houston]--Over 100 Salvation Army canteens (mobile feeding kitchens) and other equipment, including at least six mobile feeding kitchens, have fed 200,000 since before Hurricane IKE made landfall last week. Below is a list of the most current static locations where individuals in need may go to receive a hot meal. These locations and times are subject to change based on the demand of each location.

SPECIAL NOTE: To ensure it can maintain a long-term recovery effort, The Salvation Army’s most important need is financial donations. Donations can be made to 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

Texas: Metro operates services near POD sites [Sep 17 Houston]--METRO is continuing its efforts to help the community return to normalcy, and would like to inform the public of METRO bus routes that are in close proximity to POD sites.

The following routes are approximately within a half-mile of the POD sites listed below:

METRO Bus Route POD location

Texas: Volunteers needed for relief efforts [Sep 17]--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.

Texas: Galveston Island look and leave suspended indefinitely [Sep 17]-- The Texas Department of Transportation is urging motorists to avoid travel along IH 45-Gulf Freeway to Galveston Island. IH 45-Gulf Freeway is closed south of FM 519 where the Texas Department of Public Safety has staged a checkpoint for credential review to continue southbound.

A dedicated lane has been established for emergency responders and essential employees; including state and federal resources, utility providers, active contractors and commodity deliveries.

The Galveston Island "Look and Leave" program has been suspended indefinitely and residents of the Island will not be allowed through the checkpoint.

"Motorists should be mindful that those who decide to try to venture south on IH 45 despite the warning not to do so will inevitably experience very long traffic waits only to be turned around once reaching the checkpoint. Fueling options and resources are very minimal at best and due to traffic delays the needed resources to try to provide such relief are being significantly delayed" said Raquelle Lewis, TxDOT Public Information Supervisor.

Only residents of Bayou Vista and Tiki Island are being permitted through the checkpoint; however, it is important to note that electrical, water and fuel resources are scarce.

Texas: Harris County POD locations [Sep 17 Harris County]--There will be 26 Point of Distribution (POD) locations in Harris County on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. They will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. or until supplies at the sites run out. The locations follow:

BOLETIN DE PRENSA

Sitios de Distribución Anunciadas (PoDs)

Habrá 26 Sitios de Distribución (POD) localizados en el Condado de Harris el miércoles, 17 de Septiembre del 2008.

Estarán abiertos de 9 AM a 6 PM o mientras las cantidades estén disponibles.

***OBSERVE POR FAVOR QUE EL SITIO DE DISTRIBUCIÓN ANTERIORMENTE MENCIONADO DE FAITH CHURCH AHORA ESTA SITUADO EN LOMAX JR. HIGH, DIRECCIÓN SUBRAYADO. TAMBIEN SE CORRIGIO LA DIRRECION DE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SE en el 45 y Woodridge.

1. Harvest Time Church 17770 Imperial Valley
2. Faith Church 2104 Underwood
3. West Town Mall 4100 Decker Drive
4. Veterans Stadium 2901 Dabney
5. Deer Park Football Stadium Center @ ST Augustin
6. Kroger FM 2920 @ Hwy 249
7. Bay Area Community Center 5002 NASA Road #1 77586
8. Fonteno Community Center 14350 Wallisville 77049
9. San Jacinto Center 604 Highland Woods 77562
10. Community of Faith 1023 Pinemont Dr. 77018
11. Ripley House 4410 Navigation 77011
12. Second Baptist 6400 Woodway 77057
13. Texas Southern University Parking Lot 3600 Rosewood at Scott 77004
14. Greater Jerusalem 8901 Jensen 77093
15. Fountain of Praise 13950 Hillcroft 77085
16. Zion Lutheran 3606 Beauchamp 77009
17. Baytown Annex 701 West Baker Road 77521
18. Church Without Walls 5314 Bingle 77092
19. Grace Community 14505 I-45 (Gulf Fwy)
20. S. Houston Community Center 1007 State St
21. St. Agnes 3730 S. Acres 77047
22. New Light Church 7317 East Houston
23. Humble Civic Center 8233 Will Clayton
24. Houston Community College SE 45 & Woodway
25. Tinsel Town 11450 East Fwy
26. Kipp Academy 9634 Mesa

Texas: Update from City of League City Sep 17 [Sep 17 League City]--The City is no longer under curfew. City Hall, the Helen Hall Library and all city parks will be closed until further notice. City events are canceled until further notice. CCISD is closed until further notice.

The City of League City has set up a cooling center and an internet center at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center at 400 W. Walker. It is open to all residents through Friday, September 19 from 8 am to 5 pm.

Some areas of town have power; others do not. Texas New Mexico is aware of all the power outages and is working on the issues – they have asked people not to call unless there is a critical safety concern. Some areas will be out of service for weeks.

Many residents have reported sewage backups. The City is aware of the problem; it’s due to power outages at the pump/lift stations. In order to assist, please limit water usage.

Businesses open – Brownies: Hwy 3 and E. Walker;
Brownies: Hwy 3/FM 646;
Walgreens: W. Main at Calder Rd. – no pharmacist;
Home Depot: FM 646 and I 45 is open
Kroger: Hwy 96 and S.Shore is open.
Kroger: IH-45/FM 518 is open.
Valero: 1021 W. Main is open.
Shell: 151 FM 646 E has gas and is open.
Murphy’s gas at Walmart: FM 646/IH45 is open.
HEB: El Camino and Bay Area Blvd. They are accepting debit/credit cards. Non-perishable items only.
Target: FM646/IH45. Large crowd.
Buccee’s: Hwy 96/Louisiana. Long lines.
Sam’s in Webster on El Dorado – no Sam’s card needed.
Walmart: IH-45/FM 646 will open at noon, Monday, September 15, 2008. Will only allow a few people in the store at a time.
Academy in Webster on I-45 is open until 5 PM on Monday, September 15, 2008 for hurricane supplies.
Hobby Lobby on I-45 in Webster has minor ER services available at DeMat.
CVS at the corner of SH96 and FM270 is open and filling prescriptions.
Cracker Barrel is open with a limited menu
Urgent Care is open on Marina Bay Drive.

State services are in the process of setting up points of distribution to distribute water, ice, and packaged meals. We will update this page when we learn where they will be. Call the hotline for POD updates (281) 554-1496.

* Kemah Home Depot/Target parking lot – This POD is operational but hours will depend on supplies.
* Friendswood Centennial Park (2200 S. Friendswood Dr., off of FM 518) – This POD is operational starting at approximately 9:30 am on Tuesday

PRIVATE ICE MACHINE: Next to Kilgore’s lumber.

HEB @ Bay Colony is selling ice – this is not free ice and it is not FEMA – but ice can be purchased at this location

Food Distribution Sites (For League City residents. This includes a hot meal and juice box. There is NO water or ice.) These are operated by the Red Cross twice a day at 11 am 3 pm. We can not guarantee that they will be manned.
Bay Colony Elementary - 101 Bay Colony Elementary Drive
Hall Elementary - 5931 Meadowside
Ross Elementary - 2401 W Main
League Park - 500 E. Main
CVS - 270 & League City Parkway
Kroger - 2640 League City Parkway
Glen Cove - FM 2094 & Glen Cove Blvd.
Clear Creek High School - FM 518 West

These are places people can go for shelter, however if they go there they will be bussed to San Antonio. Evacuation Huddle Sites - Buses to come from Gulf Greyhound Park - To San Antonio:

* Bacliff Community Center, 4500 10th Street, Bacliff, Texas 77518
* Dickinson Senior Center, 2714 Highway 3, Dickinson, Texas 77539
* Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 10114 Highway 6, Hitchcock, Texas 77563
* La Marque High School, 300 Vauthier Road, La Marque, Texas 77568
* Ball High School, 4115 Avenue O, Galveston, Texas 77550

Texas: Medical/special needs focused update Sep 16 [Sep 17 Austin]--Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): Texas Department of State Health Services continues to provide assistance to State, Region, and local health departments to meet their public health needs.

• SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR): Providing support services for SAR. Task Force Ike teams continue to provide immediate triage, public health screening, and evacuation support for individuals on Galveston Island.

• BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: To meet and address the need for disaster behavioral support, DSHS has deployed one team (6 disaster behavioral health specialists) to assist Houston area. Additionally, two 4–5 person Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams have been assigned to assist DSHS Task Force Ike personnel and other first responders.

• ESRD: DSHS is implementing a plan that addresses special medical needs for approximately 500 individuals with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Individuals requiring ESRD assistance are being relocated to Dallas where dialysis treatment and shelter arrangements have been made.

• OXYGEN: DSHS is operationalizing a plan to fulfill orders/requests for oxygen in Liberty, San Jacinto and Polk counties.

• MSN SHELTERS: There are currently 43 medical special needs shelters open throughout Texas; the current census is approximately 3,947 with the capacity to accept 2,663 more. MSN shelters will continue to open to respond to the needs of the affected regions; 6 MSN shelters are pending opening with a total additional capacity of 1,225. DSHS has begun to deploy additional public health, first provider, and other support staff to provide relief to those currently working throughout the affected areas that are now at the end of their deployment period. Additional relief for hospital staff and ambulance strike teams is underway. DSHS is currently working with federal partners to deploy an applied public health team to the affected areas to assist with public health surveillance including environmental and community assessments and enhanced shelter surveillance.

• TRANSPORTATION ASSETS: Approximately 600 ambulances available (300 at Reliant, 10 at George R Brown Convention Center, 175 in San Antonio, 90 with Task Force Ike). DSHS is processing additional transportation requests as needed. Other transportation resources including medical buses are also available to assist regions with transportation of MSN patients and re-entry efforts.

• VECTOR CONTROL: DSHS is currently implementing a Vector Control Plan. Brazoria and Chambers county programs have initiated mosquito surveillance and will apply insecticides based on acquired data.

• RE-ENTRY: The re-entry of Louisiana evacuees from Hurricane Gustav continues. Implementation of plans for re-entry of Texans back to areas unaffected by the storm is underway. The re-entry Person Locator Call Center is currently operational 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and available to assist in locating Medical Special Needs evacuees. Individuals may call 1 (888) 777-5320. General population evacuees are requested to call 2-1-1.

• PRESCRIPTIONS: A program is in place to provide individuals who are from an area covered by Federal disaster declaration by the President (the counties listed in the Disaster Declaration) and who do not have any form of health insurance coverage to refill prescriptions. Details on the plan can be obtained from the DSHS MACC by calling (512) 532-4964.

A 40-member Florida Type I Incident Management Team is in Galveston working to establish base camp operations. Two TFS employees are assisting with getting University of Texas Medical Branch hospital operations established. Walk-up patient and 911 patient care has been turned over to the Disaster Medical Assistance Team.

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS): Woodwind Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center in Houston has little to no water pressure and only back up power generation. DADS has been coordinating with TCEQ and the municipal utility district, to restore water. DADS is coordinating transportation of 6 patients from Reed Staging area in Bryan, Texas to be transported back to Corpus Christi.

Coastal Resources staff conducted over flights on 9-15-08 and documented damage through 300 still photos and video. The pictures and video will be posted on http://www.glo.state.tx.us/ike/hurricane.html

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): A complete listing of DFPS office closures is available on the website. Agency continues to plan for re-entry and demobilization. HHSC RAS teams are assessing agency offices in the affected areas and determining the viability of offices. DFPS is working on plans for providing services in the affected areas in the event that offices are not habitable. Statewide intake evacuation hotline is up and taking calls. Regions report no unmet needs at this time. DFPS is monitoring reports that involve children or elderly victims.

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): HHSC has logistical staff at the Resource Staging Areas in Lufkin, Houston, Beaumont and San Antonio. HHSC is hiring staff for the Other Needs Assistance program and preparing to process disaster grants for losses due to Hurricane Ike. The Regional Disaster Assistance Coordinators are on stand-by to perform Preliminary Damage Assessments on any additional counties that may request to be added to this disaster declaration. HHSC has hired a field coordinator to be deployed to the affected areas and will staff the Disaster Recovery Centers to assist disaster victims with assistance that is available.

TCEQ is working with PWRT on generator needs throughout the impacted area. TCEQ is working with water districts regarding boiled water notices. TCEQ is compiling a Boil Water Notice list daily that is being provided to the State Operations Center. TCEQ is providing this info on boiled water notices to various agencies and organizations throughout the state.

TCEQ is working with various priority entities regarding drinking water and other water issues.

Department of Information Resources (DIR): DIR has secured approval for TERT (Telecommunication Emergency Response Team) who is requesting approval to send 6 volunteers to Harris County Sherriff's office (at their request) as relief dispatchers. Documentation has been forwarded to our primary contact (Sherry Decker) for their reimbursement efforts.

The SOC LNO team is coordinating generator requests for Hospitals/Medical Facilities, Emergency Continuity of Government Facilities, Shelters and Water/Wastewater Systems. Currently there are over 150 requests totaling 400-500 individual generators in the 15 KV to 2 MW size range (skid/trailer mount up to tractor-trailer rig size). Smaller units requested are generally purchased or leased locally.

The Executive Director of the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART) assisted by personnel from USDA, the Humane Society, and the ASPCA are working to coordinate sheltering support for small animals as well as coordinating with TXSART Advisory Council member organizations to credential selected animal care groups who are handling animal issues in impacted areas. Information to date indicates approximately 110 pets accompanied the MSN patients on buses from evacuated areas. 2000 pets are being sheltered in hosting communities.

In view of the potentially large numbers of dead animals in the impacted zone, TAHC and TECQ have asked for carcass disposal support through the National Resources Conservation Service.

Public Utilities Commission (PUC): There are approximately 2 million total customers in Texas currently without power. This is down from a peak of 2.87 million reported on September 13, 2008. CenterPoint Energy has restored power to over 600,000 customers thus far in the Houston/Galveston/Harris County area, out of a peak of 2.1 million customers. Approximately 75% (1.5 million) of its total customers are still without power. 96% of Entergy Texas customers are without power in the Port Arthur/ Beaumont area (381,709 out of 398,635 total customers). 20 companies, municipalities, and cooperatives have reported outages. 366 transmission lines throughout Texas were out following passage of the storm. 152 transmission lines have been restored. 15,235 total line crew personnel are on the ground, which includes company personnel and mutual assistance personnel from over 25 states. 64 hospitals and 38 water treatments plant have been restored. Power to Hobby Airport and Ellington Field was restored in 2 days. Some utilities that sustained extensive damage project that it will take up to 4 weeks to restore power to all customers capable of receiving power. Oncor Electric and SWEPCO are projected to complete their restoration by the end of the week.

The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army has provided tens of thousands of meals, sheltered several hundred people, and provided thousands of comfort items during the Hurricane Ike disaster. The Salvation Army has also given thousands of people financial assistance and provided thousands spiritual care.

2-1-1: September 15, 2008, the 2-1-1 system handled 16,243 calls. Since September 9, 2008, the 2-1-1 Texas system has handled 113,066 calls. Two gulf coast Area Information Centers (AIC) remain closed due to storm damage. The Houston center is up but running on generator power. Callers from impacted areas continued to be assisted by AICs across the state. AICs across the state are contributing 100% of total staff and volunteers to respond to information and referral calls related to Hurricane Ike. All have extended business hours as needed. The 2-1-1 Texas system continues to receive volunteer support from individuals and multiple entities from the following: HHSC staff, Alliance of Information and Referral System members from Virginia and Michigan, Department of Information Resources, United Way staff and volunteers, spontaneous community staff. At 11:00 a.m. today, call volume was 4347. Top caller needs identified for Hurricane Ike are: Re-entry information; post disaster; FEMA assistance; Special Medical Assistance; Financial Assistance; Food Stamp; power; home repair; road closures; school closures; post disaster cash grants; debris removal and evacuee location.

Deaf Link: Deaf link received the request for services at the George R. Brown Shelter in Houston. By 10:45PM 9/15/08 Deaf Link staff was on site at the requesting location. Deaf Link installer is at the GRB location and installation is in progress. Deaf Link continues processing all State, County and related Agencies alerts and emergency information through the Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS) for persons with disabilities. Deaf Link services at other shelters and reception points continue to be utilized to provide communication between deaf evacuees and shelter staff and reception point workers. Deaf Link is receiving support form the Red Cross and Salvation Army who are asking staff and volunteers to assist in identifying evacuees in shelters who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or deaf and blind and may need assistance.

City of Austin: Sheltering 1200 evacuees at the Austin Convention Center and transferred Medical Special Needs evacuees from ACC to a University of Texas facility. Managing animal and pet populations displaced by Hurricane Ike. The City of Austin will continue to implement the shelter consolidation plan in conjunction with the Capital Area Shelter Hub plan. Ensuring adequate staffing for shelter management and beginning planning for long term shelter requirements. The Volunteer Resource Center is activated and is actively soliciting volunteers.

Emergency Assistance Compact (EMAC): Texas activated the Emergency Assistance Compact (EMAC), a mutual aid compact created to provide State to State support during disasters. Texas initially submitted 42 requests for assistance. The initial types of items requested were to support search and rescue (SAR) operations, Aeromedical evacuations (AE) and Incident Manage Teams (IMT). These requests included helicopters, airplanes, communications assets, and SAR personnel and assets.

DDC 1B Tyler: Cass County reports power back on in Atlanta, Linden and Avinger. Bloomberg, Queen City, Domino, Marietta and Douglassville still waiting on power to be restored City of Jefferson in Marion Co. reports entire city without power including water treatment and sewerage treatment plants City advised by AEP/SWEPCO that power would not be restored until Wednesday 9-17-08. EMC currently requesting 3 large generators as well as large amount of bottled water, MRE’s and ice. District 1B has an additional 3 Sergeants and 50 troopers that deployed today. Local shelters have received special needs and general population evacuees and most shelters in the area are at or near full capacity with some shelters directing incoming evacuees to shelters in the Metroplex. City of Marshall has requested to reallocate 4 State Guardsmen to run 2 men 12 hour shifts for shelter management. Bowie County reports widespread power loss. Cities of Nash, Wake Village, Hooks, Maud, Redwater, Simms, DeKalb and New Boston report all or partial loss of power. SWEPCO reports 14000 without power in Texarkana in their service area. City of Troup in Smith County reports complete loss of fresh water supply. Also, Harry’s Building Supply had the roof collapse as well as 11 houses with trees on them. Upshur County reports power outage in downtown Big Sandy, downtown Gilmer and the area around the community of Bettie in Northern Upshur County as well as other areas in County. Upshur Rural Electric still reports over 3000 homes without power in 10 county service areas. The City of Overton has lost power to the water treatment plant and are experiencing worries about a lack of treated water for city. TMF deployed 32 troops from Carthage to Canton for Shelter management. Red Cross representatives are in the DDC updating shelter information assisting local jurisdictions with requests for water, food and ice, providing meals to DDC, helping shelter managers place additional evacuees both general population and special needs. TAHC continues to address animal issues resulting from Ike. TAHC staff members as well as APHIS Field personnel are prepared to respond to Beaumont. Animal shelter numbers are still being tallied at this time. TAHC will receive reports from vet practitioners with post storm conditions and needs. USDA is furnishing trained personnel from Florida and New Mexico to assist in animal care issues through EMAC system.

DDC 3B San Antonio: The ARCC is receiving post impact evacuees and following the re-entry plan for returning evacuees to non-impact areas. Warehouse operations continue to receive commodities and process requests from the post landfall affected areas. The reception center has processed a total of 9760 evacuees and 705 MSN evacuees. There are 297 commercial buses and 6 wheelchair vans in staging.

The Mayor of the City of Galveston ordered the establishment of the City Base Camp in the San Luis Resort Hotel and the City of Galveston Convention Center at the San Luis Resort as the City Command Post for Operations.

Point Bolivar: The only routes into the City are the Ferry and US 87 and the roads are blocked by sand and debris. TxDOT is working to clear the road and the Coast Guard is assessing the safety of the channel and ferry docks. The only option is Helicopter transport followed by foot search. There is heavy damage throughout the City and heavy structural damage expected. There are no utilities, communications, or medical resources. Game Wardens rescued two women reported missing Monday morning by airboat Monday evening.

Key agencies remain engaged and have resources in support of all Orange County jurisdictions.

Type 3 IMT personnel continue the relocation process of evacuating residents to San Antonio. To date 344 citizens have been evacuated to San Antonio post landfall.
TIFMAS Fire Response teams are staged in Vidor for a county-wide response. Two teams are operating in Bridge City. Schools in the affected area are closed. The High School in Orange County is serving as the Incident Command Post. Some local school districts are developing a plan to resume classes on Friday, September 19th.

A curfew has been ordered for Orange County from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily, effective September 15th.

TFS has initiated POD operations in Pinehurst. Two more locations are scheduled to open today. As of September 15th one area hospital has power restored.

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA): TDHCA is highlighting hurricane housing resources for displaced persons and storm-affected communities on its’ website and assisting GDEM with preliminary damage assessments in storm-affected communities. Emergency funds were awarded to several community action agencies in southeast Texas as they serve persons based on the events transpiring. All affordable housing rental owners state-wide were reminded to keep their apartment vacancy information current with the agency. TDHCA is keeping in contact with FEMA, HUD, the Texas Apartment Association, and the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association to keep current databases listing possible apartments and living accommodations. TDHCA has information ready for local communities regarding possible post-disaster housing assistance and will provide any technical assistance necessary to help these communities apply for post-disaster housing funds.

SHELTER INFORMATION: Anyone requesting a shelter can phone 2-1-1 and the shelter information number, 214-653-7629, will be given to them. This number goes to the Dallas County Homeland Security Office which is maintaining the a-list of open shelters, space and rotation for receiving evacuees.

Texas: Transitional housing assistance available for Texas evacuees with inaccessible or unliveable homes [Sep 16 Austin]--The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the request of the State of Texas, will activate its transitional sheltering initiative to allow eligible Ike evacuees from Texas, who cannot return to their homes, to stay in hotels or motels until it is safe for them go home.

FEMA will pay for the lodging directly to hotels and motels. A listing of participating hotels is available online.

This assistance is intended to provide a more appropriate extended sheltering environment to evacuees who cannot return home because their neighborhoods are inaccessible or because their homes are unlivable due to damage or lack of power. The initial period of assistance is from September 14, 2008 to October 14, 2008. This program will not reimburse applicants for previously incurred hotel expenses. Applicants are responsible for their own meals and for any lodging costs above the authorized allowance

"Many hotels in eastern Texas are already booked, therefore we recommend that everyone already in a hotel remain until local officials advise it is safe to go home." said Sandy Coachman, Federal Coordinating Officer for the Texas Joint Field Office. "If your hotel does not participate in this program, hold your receipts and FEMA will assist you."

To ensure reimbursement evacuees first need to apply for federal assistance through FEMA either online at www.fema.gov or by calling the FEMA toll-free call centers at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), -------------------TTY 1-800-462-7585. Eligible evacuees must fit the following criteria:

- FEMA must be able to verify the identity of the evacuee;

- The primary residence of the evacuee must be in one of the counties that has been designated a disaster area; and

- The primary residence is inaccessible or unlivable due to damage or lack of power.

Because of the high number of calls FEMA is receiving, applicants should expect long wait times and consider calling during non-peak hours. The hotline is open 24 hours. Applicants are strongly encouraged to register online if at all possible. Home inspections do not need to be completed before applying. Persons who do not meet these criteria may still be eligible for other types of FEMA assistance or may be referred to local agencies for possible assistance.

All Texas State Veterans Homes have resumed normal operations.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): Statewide intake evacuation hotline is up and taking calls.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is coordinating status of hospitals in the impacted counties with the Texas Hospital Association (THA), including the FEMA mobile hospitals.

DSHS Repatriation Team continues to return Medical Special Needs (MSN) patients to their home counties or temporary medical facilities. Additional assets have been requested.

The DSHS Disaster Mortuary Team (DMORT) has deployed refrigerated trucks to affected counties upon request.

All ten FEMA supplied refrigerator trucks have been deployed to assist in body storage.

• Orange- arrived, 1 unit

• Beaumont- arrived, 2 units

• Crosby- arrived, 5 units. One unit may be deployed to Galveston

• Galveston- arrived, 2 units.

DSHS MACC continues to track all medical needs in impacted area and has deployed vaccines, trucks, equipment and supplies to impacted counties as requested.

Animal Bite Case Standard Operating Procedures and information on co-sheltering and bus cleanup has been prepared by DSHS veterinarians. Texas federal assets total 921 personnel in 26 DMAT/Strike Teams (plus 3 DMORT) deployed statewide.

Resource requests: Dialysis

Requests for additional resources for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients are being handled by DSHS at the Multi-agency Coordination Center.

Medical Special Needs shelters in El Paso, Amarillo, and Lubbock have been demobilized.

Requests for oxygen bottles/tanks are being processed as they come in to the ESF-8 desk. Other governmental agencies may be executing contracts for these resources as well.

TCEQ is working with water districts regarding boiled water notices and with DEAFLINK for issuances of boiled water notices for the hearing impaired. TCEQ is working with TAHC (Texas Animal Health Commission) on management of animal carcasses.

TCEQ Strike Team Investigated large bulk above ground storage tank that was observed to be smoldering by surveillance teams. Tank appeared to be venting possible hydrogen sulfide from a molten sulfur processing facility. Further investigation will be conducted to ensure tank is functioning properly.

The following cities are currently on a boil water notice due to Hurricane Ike: Sacul, Houston, Port Neches, Dickinson, Highlands, Raywood, and Groves

Public Utilities Commission (PUC): The PUC has been fielding calls with requests for when power will be restored in the affected counties. Currently, we have information on outages by counties and for Oncor and CenterPoint’s service areas by zip code. However, utilities are still assessing the damage, and we only have just started to receive some information on estimated restoration time. We hope to have more information tomorrow on estimated restoration time for affected counties. Utilities have been working hard and outage updates reflect that restoration is ongoing; however, currently we still have approximately 2.3 million customers without power.

American Red Cross (ARC): At this time the ARC is operating 145 shelters with a population of 19,995. There are 105 vehicles providing feeding, served 36,238 meals, 68,284 meals have been served to-date. There are 1,230 disaster workers providing these services.

2-1-1: September 14, 2008, the 2-1-1 system handled 14,435 calls. Since September 9, 2008, the 2-1-1 Texas system has handled 96,823 calls.

Three gulf coast Area Information Centers (AICs) remain closed due to storm damage. Callers from those impacted areas are being assisted by AICs across the state. AICs across the state are contributing 100% of total staff and volunteers to respond to information and referral calls related to Hurricane Ike. All have extended business hours as needed. AICs will continue to work throughout the weekend with extended hours.

The 2-1-1 Texas system continues to receive volunteer support from individuals and multiple entities. At 10:30 a.m. today, our call volume was 5,549. The top caller needs identified for Hurricane Ike are as follows: Re-entry Information; shelter; FEMA assistance; Special Medical assistance; financial assistance; hotel availability; Search and Rescue; food; gas money; ice; curfew; debris removal and evacuee location.

Deaflink: Deaf Link has added the capability of for all Deaf evacuees to be able to place Video Relay Interpreter (VRI) phone calls to friends and family through all our Shelter Link systems that are installed in the shelters and at the reception points.

Deaf Link continues to utilize the Accessible Hazard Alert System for all Warn2 weather alerts, PSAs for affected areas, sheltering areas and the state, such as, boil water notifications, travel restrictions, contact numbers to find family and weather updates. Deaf Link Volunteers are coordinated to assist with the San Antonio reception center and shelter.

Access to Galveston Island remains restricted to emergency responders only.

DDC 3B San Antonio: The ARCC is receiving post impact evacuees and implementing the re-entry plan for evacuees from non-affected areas. DDC San Antonio is preparing to receive 1500 General Population and 900 MSN evacuees from Galveston. The reception center has processed a total of 6837 General Population and 461 MSN evacuees from the post-landfall areas. DPS regions 3A and 3C have requested the repatriation of citizens from San Antonio shelters, 64 evacuees have returned to the City of Robstown.

MASS CARE: Shelter operations continue throughout central and eastern areas of Texas by the American Red Cross and local jurisdictions. There are 252 Shelters remaining open with a population of 38,764. The Salvation Army has 35 canteens with 1 kitchen. The Baptist Men and Southern Baptist Men are responding with 7 kitchens currently and are deploying 5 more. The Latter Day Saints are continuing to provide clean-up kits, hygiene kits, and food boxes.

Texas: Update from Clute [Sep 15]--A Point of Distribution (POD) was established to serve Clute, Lake Jackson, and Richwood, Monday, September 15. This POD is located at the Kroger Center at the intersection of Dixie and Plantation Drives. This POD will supply ICE, Water, and MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). The POD will remain open as long as supplies last, but will close before Curfew at 7:00PM.

Other PODs are located in Angleton at the Recreation Center behind the Angleton Police Dept., in Freeport at the Freeport Police Dept., and in Brazoria at the Junior High School. These PODs will supply Ice, Water, and/or MREs.

Limited Water Supply. Use sparingly so we can keep the tower filled for pressure. THERE IS NO BOIL WATER REQUIREMENT IN CLUTE.

IMPORTANT ! LIMITED Sewer Service. Some areas will have limited service until electricity is restored. Use sparingly so that we may keep up with the pumping at treatment. This is very important so we do not create an environmental problem.

There is a cufew in effect from 7PM to 7AM.

Grocery stores will be opening on a small scale, with limited supplies. The FOOD BASKET at the Wesley Drive Methodist Church is open to the public to hand out food.

There are NO Pharmacies open.

There are Limited Supply Stores open.

There is Limited Fuel available - with long lines.

Electricity is limited to specific areas throughout city. Call your friends or neighbors to see if your area has electricity. Try not to return to town unless you have electricity. Bring your own supplies when you return.

Mosquito control will start Tuesday, September 16.

Limited Medical Facilities. Brazosport Regional Health System has Emergency Services and ICU. Elective Service starts Wednesday. Go to the Visitors Tab on Clute's website to find links to BRHS for medical updates.

We do have many of trees down and some home damage.

The Clute Police Department is heavily patrolling all streets and the curfew is being strictly enforced.

If requested, the Clute Police Department will check on individual homes and report back with basic information as time allows. Please call Clute Police Dispatch at 979-265-6194.

Texas: Update from City of Baytown EOC [Sep 15]--03:30 p.m.: The Red Cross has opened one shelter in the City of Baytown with limited supply at Wooster Baptist Church, 7007 Bayway Drive, Baytown, TX 77520. Cots, Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’S), water and snacks are available at this time. When other locations are established, addresses will be released.

Continue to Boil Water, 11:45 a.m.:

Due to low water pressure, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system, the Baytown Area Water Authority/1011742, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.

Texas: Update from City of Angleton [Sep 15]--UPDATED 9/15/08 2:15 PM. THERE IS NO MORE ICE/WATER/MRE's AVAILABLE AT THE ANGLETON REC. CENTER. City Officials have been alerted that more is on its way but were not given an approximate time of arrival. When it arrives, we will update the website.

THE CITY OF ANGLETON HAS ISSUED A BOIL WATER NOTICE!!! Water must be boiled vigorously for at least 2 minutes before consuming.

AISD HAS CANCELLED CLASSES FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

For information on local shelters call the Red Cross at 214-653-7629.

The City of Angleton continues to work on preparing the city for the citizens to return to their homes and businesses. This includes the restoration of utilities, including electric, water, and wastewater.

ELECTRIC

This is a major undertaking, and may take up to 2-3 weeks for total service restoration. TNMPC is bringing in outside assistance to continue this process. The majority of Angleton should have power by the end of the week. TNMPC is working closely working with City leaders to prioritize the restoration of critical infrastructure.

WATER

The city currently is operating off of BWA water and our well system. We have experienced some reduced water pressure, but continue to provide quality water. We do ask citizens to be smart in their water consumption.

WASTEWATER

The sewer system is in working order. The WWTP has power and is operating. We do have some of the lift stations that currently do have power. We have contacted TNMPC to resolve this situation quickly. We have pump trucks to assist until the power is restored to the entire system.

ROADWAYS

Public Works and Parks have cleared the roadways to make them drivable. The roadways are not totally cleared, but we will continue to work on cleaning the roadways.

RETAIL OUTLETS

We have just a couple of retail stores opening. Fuel is in limited supplies, if available at all. We continue to ask our residents to stay put until we have restored services to a more acceptable level. City staff are working hard to restore services as quickly as possible in conjunction with power company crews and police are working round the clock to safeguard the homes and businesses.

THE CITY REMAINS UNDER A DUSK TO DAWN CURFEW AND IS BEING ENFORCED BY OUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Texas: Report from Chambers County EOC [Sep 15]--Chambers County is a 599-square-mile county located in Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown Metropolitan Area. The 2005 census was 28,411 residents. Source: NACo

Report from Chambers County EOC: First of all, Ike was pretty much an equal opportunity disaster. In other words, destruction happened from one end of the county to the other. What we do see, is much more destruction in the lower lying areas like Oak Island and Smith Point. For certain, Oak Island is the community which we have seen the most extensive damage, and by that I mean the entire community was almost completely destroyed. Most of the houses are completely gone and by that I mean they actually are not THERE.

Right now, the state focus is still search and rescue. Three persons were found alive yesterday that washed ashore into Chambers County from Galveston Co (Bolivar, Crystal Beach, etc.). Today, three more persons were found alive. This is incredible. We have spoken to them and they have amazing stories. However, there are also some who were not so fortunate. So, just so you will understand, the state is trying to save as many lives as they can right now, before it is too late. When they complete that, they will shift into full-blown recovery.

We do not have food, water, and ice distribution points ready. We just now today got email working. We are having severe communications trouble throughout the county, but this is improving day by day. Many landlines, I am told, are working. We are waiting on state resources consisting of food, water, and ice. They say they are on the way, but we have only received one truck and it went fast. When distribution does start, it will be at Cedar Bayou Community building, Winnie Community Building, Barbers Hill Middle School, and Anahuac High School. We are trying to set up shelters, but do not have them ready. We are trying to get generators for shelters and food etc. for the shelters. When we are able to establish this, we will distribute the word about distribution points for food and water, as well as shelters.

I have seen many electrical trucks flooding into the county to begin utility repairs. We have no idea when services will be restored. We are not prohibiting any residents from entering the county. There were some misconceptions and rumors going around, but they are not true. We are not making anyone leave, nor prohibiting them from entering as long as they are a resident. We still have curfews, but that is to ensure persons that do not belong here are not roaming the streets and stealing your stuff.

You have to understand, if you do return, we have nothing to give you at this point. We have no shelters, no food, no water, and no ice. Hardly any stores are open, even in Baytown and surrounding areas. Gas stations have large lines, and shortages. We have police at stations that are open to control problems.

Please try to understand the magnitude of this storm. It has possibly been 100 years since a storm causing this type of devastation has hit Chambers County. We have estimated that the last storms this severe in our area were in 1900 or 1915. If you have any questions, or want to check to see when shelters or point of distribution (POD) sites will be open so you can pick up food, water, or ice, please call the EOC at 409-267-8295.

Special thanks to Vic Healey for monitoring multiple feeds overnight.

Warning no one needs to be out. Danger from live wires down in dark. ( Side note - from my experience in being sent to Miami area after a hurricane many serious traffic accidents from lack of traffic signals BE CAREFUL next several weeks)

Reporters from all channels expressing feeling that they will never do this again. Fearful experience to be out reporting on this storm. Trucks getting flat tires from debris in road. KPRC

TORNADO WATCH

Houston being hammered by destructive winds inside the beltway 110 MPH wind plus 13 MPH added for motion of storm 5:50 AM

Sheets of steel being ripped off buildings and dropped into the streets right now. KHOU

FREEPORT TX KTRK

Police Chief Hines doing pre dawn survey. Expects he will have to do high water rescue at dawn. Moderate damage seen so far. Too dark.

50 or 60 major leaks at KTRK studio. Structural damage at station now. Computers and electronics at risk. Carpets soaked.

PASADENA POLICE evacuated police station. many problems there. KTRK

HOUSTON POLICE AND FIRE

Has suspended all calls told two fire crews out to suspend operations and take cover. Glass falling all over from above. Massive fire overnight - debris from fire blowing around Houston. KTRK

High rise buildings severely damaged. Furniture, glass, office documents, sucked out and are blowing over the city streets. Roofs must be gone in some areas as insulation and steel dropped in places. Little strange 'tornadoes' seen on KTRK live shot where you can see white mist streaming upwards in a vortex and windows being sucked off the buildings. That video is going to be analyzed in future weeks as it truly is strange. It seems to be a function of the hurricane winds and the narrow area between high rises.

Fire in downtown Houston being fought by deluge from aerial ladder or snorkel trucks. KRIV Large fire seen in the night may be a refinery or some petrochemical plant.

Backside of the storm is much wose then the front side was. High rises are swaying like cruise ships. KHOU

Frantic calls to 911 from people up to their wasit in rising water. No help possible.
People screaming that their houses are collapsing around them. No help possible.
Very hard on the 911 operators who can not send any help! KHOU

Centerpoint Energy telphone call says two million people without power in Houston - may take weeks to restore. Twice as many as the worse they expected at the begining of the storm. KHOU

Kema under water including the city hall.

Homes shifted 8 to 10 feet of pileings in Galveston.
911 phone system out. No cell signal in some areas.
Use text on phone may work.

San Louis Hotel was shaking so bad beds rocking on forth floor, reporter astonished and fearful.

St Luke’s Hospital – Houston – 250-300 patients affected – moving into interior hallways after exterior windows breaking.

Two million customers without electricity. Grid severely damaged. Almost totally out of customers receiving power through overhead lines. Underground system still working – good for medical centers.

Hospitals on top of priority list for electrical service.

“Weeks to get everyone back to electrical service.”

NEMRC Update - TX - Galveston Island update 09.16

Galveston Island – Steve LeBlanc – City Mgr.
Just deployed some PD officers – may have to come back in – winds are still too high.
Have been in contact with State EOC. Ready to come and help us. Still too dangerous to go outside.
Hard – frustrating – 60 calls for help we’re waiting on and we’ve got fires. It’s very difficult.
PD out to assess where we can go and what we need.

911 is not working in certain parts of Harris County.
Mayor advises to call 911 only in cases of life or death.

NEMRC Update - TX - City of Baytown issues boil water notice 09.36

Public Notice to Boil Water

Due to low water pressure, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system the Baytown Area Water Authority/1011742 to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify you that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice. If you have any questions concerning this matter, you may contact Fred Pack at 281-426-3517.

MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERED FOR ALL RESIDENTS

NO PUBLIC RE-ENTRY

On the early morning of Saturday, September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike passed directly over the City of Shoreacres.

The entire city has suffered significant damage.

All city services have been disrupted.

SEARCH & RESCUE:

Current Conditions Do Not Allow Entry for Search & Rescue. 8a 9.13
SAR Teams now preparing for entry by boat. 8a 9.13

Every effort is being made to allow residents to return as quickly as possible following search and rescue, establishment of law enforcement and restoration of water pressure for fire hydrants.

FLOODING:

Galveston Bay: 2a 9.13
Tide 9.0 Feet Rising
Tide 14.2 Feet NAVD Rising
Morgan's Point Gauge - Failed
Clear Lake Entrance Gauge - Failed

Taylor Bayou: 7a 9.13
Out of banks @ Shoreacres Blvd
Out of banks @ Bayou Drive
Out of banks @ Forest

Boggy Bayou: 6p 9.12
Out of banks @ Sunrise
Out of banks @ Oakdale
Out of banks @ Shoreacres Circle

Impassable Streets: 8a 9.13
ALL Streets Under Water

Homes Flooded: 8a 9.13
Early Estimate 90% Heavy Flooded
Reports of Collapsed Houses

Other Notes: 6p 6.12
Heavy damage to HYC piers
SRA pier suffers damage

UTILITIES:

Electric: 8p 9.12
Isolated power outages

Water: 4p 9.12
No known disruptions

Telephone: 4p 9.12
No know disruptions

Gas: 8pm 9.12
No known disruptions

CITY HALL:
Closed until further notice.

MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER

REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ALL RESIDENTS

NO PUBLIC RE-ENTRY

On the early morning of Saturday, September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike passed directly over the City of Shoreacres.

The entire city has suffered catastrophic damage.

All city services and utilities have been disrupted.

THE IMMEDIATE PRIORITY IS SEARCH & RESCUE.

Every effort will be made to allow residents to return as quickly as possible following search and rescue, establishment of law enforcement and restoration of water pressure for fire hydrants.

Curfew in Effect
7p Friday to 6a Saturday
Subject to Extension

SEARCH & RESCUE:

Current Conditions Do Not Allow Entry for Search & Rescue. 8a 9.13
SAR Teams now preparing for entry by boat. 8a 9.13

NEMRC Update - USNorthcom supporting Ike response efforts 20.42

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – U.S. Northern Command is coordinating Department of Defense’s support to FEMA, state and local response in anticipation of Hurricane Ike and preparing for its landfall in the United States.

The following is a list of DoD assets and personnel that are part of U.S. Northern Command’s support efforts:

NEW OPERATIONS:

FEMA has requested, and USNORTHCOM will support four additional mission
assignments, to include 88 high watervehicles and 21 small boats; Randolph Air
Force Base, Texas to be utilized as a National Logistics Staging Area; additional
ground and air search and rescue assets to include helicopters, aircraft and
waterborne assets to assist in search and rescue efforts; and Emergency
Preparedness Liaison Officers to support the Defense Coordination Officers.

The 331st Air Expeditionary Group at Randolph AFB, Texas pre-positioned 42
search and rescue aircraft to assist FEMA with post landfall search and rescue.
USNORTHCOM coordinates search and rescue operations with mission partners in
accordance with the National Search and Rescue Plan and in support of FEMA.

USNORTHCOM has established a link on its Web site to Aidmatrix, which provides people access to technology that connects donors with relief organizations. Aidmatrix is a nonprofit organization which is FEMA sponsored/funded. More than 35,000 corporations, nonprofits, and government partners use Aidmatrix to mobilize aid in areas of hunger, medical, and disaster. Aidmatrix provides resource management tools for unsolicited donations of cash, in kind products, and unaffiliated volunteers. You can find additional information on Aidmatrix at www.aidmatrix.org.

ONGOING OPERATIONS:

USNORTHCOM, working with U.S. Transportation Command, provided aeromedical
evacuation of medical patients from Beaumont Airport, Beaumont, Texas to Kelly Air
Force Base and Easterwood Airport, College Station, Texas. The evacuation of medical
patients is managed through the National Response Framework and the DOD will respond with a total force team of Active, Guard and Reserve medical units.

Designated two military installations (Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and Randolph
Air Force Base, Texas) as base support installations. The installations will serve as
locations where military units conduct logistical operations.

USNORTHCOM’s Air Forces Northern is establishing a search and rescue unit in
preparation of Hurricane Ike landfall and in support of Texas Search and Rescue.
The 331st Air Expeditionary Group is responsible for search and rescue operations
is located at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

USNORTHCOM is providing medium lift helicopters military aircraft to conduct
search-and-rescue efforts and movement of personnel and supplies in support of
disaster operations in the affected region.

USNORTHCOM, working with U.S. Air Forces North, is providing personnel and air
management systems in direct support of the Texas Military Forces Aviation
Coordination Group. These assets will assist Texas manage air operations during
operation in response to Hurricane Ike in Texas.

DoD has designated the military installation, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as a FEMA
National Logistics Staging Areas to support forward distribution of supplies and
equipment to affected areas as required prior to Hurricane Ike making landfall.

Defense Coordinating Officers/Elements for FEMA Regions X and VI have been
activated in support of the response to Hurricane Ike to support FEMA as the lead
federal agency. They are located in Austin, Texas and will work very closely through
FEMA with other federal, tribal, state, and local officials to determine what unique
DoD capabilities can be brought to assist in mitigating the effects of a natural
disaster.

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – For the first time, military chaplains and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster are collaborating their efforts to provide cohesive spiritual response to those affected by the next hurricane.

“During [Hurricane] Katrina, chaplains and religious advisors were reactive and working independently of each other,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col) Kenric Conway, 1st Air Force command chaplain. “During this storm season, we are much more proactive, and we are pulling our various capabilities together.”

Coordination between military and civilian organizations will provide support to deal with the storm’s devastation and help rebuild lives and communities devastated by hurricane damage.

Additionally, about 35 Army and Air Force religious support teams, which consist of a chaplain and a chaplain’s assistant, were prepositioned prior to landfall of Hurricane Ike to be on hand to respond to the spiritual and counseling needs of military members living and working in the affected areas. An additional 80 religious support teams remain on standby to provide additional support if Hurricane Ike causes considerable destruction.

Religious support teams provide spiritual support, death notification, moral support and critical incident stress management, among other services.

Those affected by a natural disaster cannot predict how the sight, sound and smells of their ravaged community or personal property will affect them, said Chaplain Conway. Three years ago, the chaplain provided his spiritual and counseling services during Hurricane Katrina. He suffered along with his congregation when his home in Biloxi, Miss., sustained damaged from the same storm.

“Many families spend their lives building – building homes, building communities – [and] all that can be taken away in 24 hours. A hurricane reminds us what is really important – our faith, family, community and country – [and] puts everything into perspective,” said Chaplain Conway. “The chaplain becomes an ambassador for a greater cause; an ambassador for hope.”

Latest track has Ike making landfall as Cat 3. Above average threat of tornadoes. Indications feeder bands will be lingering increasing amount of rainfall – and flooding.

Montgomery County is a pass through County – not a sheltering community. Anyone wishing to evacuate should contact Walker County EOC at 936-435-2400. Contradictory info [?] – a shelter will open Friday evening at 19h00 for citizens to ride out the storm at High Point Fellowship [on US59]. No provisions will be provided. Evacuees will need to bring their own food and bedding.

As of 19h00 last evening, the San Luis Bridge was closed and barricaded on the Galveston County side due to water over the road in Brazoria County. Of 26 gas stations in the County, 18 were out of fuel and the remainder had limited supplies.

Matagorda County is reporting that all special needs citizens have been evacuated. People who needed transportation out of the area have been transported to shelters in Austin or are on their way.

Electrical utilities warning that power may be down for two weeks in Ike strike zone. If people depend on electricity to sustain their lives, they need to make other plans.

City of Baytown encouraging residents to continue to evacuate – residents living in 77520 are under a mandatory evacuation. Transportation assistance ceased for the night – the transportation hub at San Jacinto Mall opened from 06h00 to 08h00 this morning to provide last opportunity to be transported to a shelter. A curfew will be in place on a sunset to sunrise basis until further notice. Non-evacuating residents should plan to remain off the roads from Friday evening through Sunday morning. All storm related inquiries should be directed to the City’s Emergency Phone Bank at 281-420-5311. The phone bank will be taking calls throughout the storm event.

Coast Guard reporting 584-foot freighter in distress directly in the path of Ike. 90 miles south of Galveston – 34 souls aboard.

Waves are currently breaking over the sea wall at Galveston – all of the jetties are reported to be submerged. Reports from TV journalist at scene.

The debris on Seawall Boulevard is considerable. Waves are breaking over the road. Some flooding and roads underwater. Pirates Cove area of Galveston – sand and water has pushed up onto streets well beyond shoreline…significant flooding already occurring west end of Galveston… journalists reporting some of the exit roads are under water. Low tide currently and water levels are already five feet above normal.

City of Conroe advising that if you are a Special Needs patient or have special needs, such as oxygen, please register with Harris County by calling 211. We do not have the capacity to manage and evacuate special needs patients during times of natural disaster, so please make the necessary arrangements to evacuate or have extra supplies and your medications on hand to take care of yourself.

Please limit your calls to 911 to life threatening emergencies; these will be handled on a case by case basis. If you have further concerns please contact the Conroe Fire Department at 936 522-3080 with the City of Conroe.

League City reporting LCPD will be fully staffed, the Fire and EMS departments will be staffed and prepared to respond. Once winds reach sustained 39 mph responders may stand down for their safety. Those needing emergency assistance should still call 911.

Missouri City has declared a state of emergency. As a pass through community there are no shelters set up in Missouri City. Currently fuel at many gas stations are low or out of fuel.

City of Palacios has declared a sunset to sunrise curfew until further notice. Citizens who have left will not be able to return until after the storm has passed.

NEMRC Alert - Update on freighter in distress - No rescue attempt possible at this time 08.47

No rescue possible for those on this 584 foot ship. All coast guard aviation assets have been evacuated to other areas away from IKE. Live telephone interview with CG said they would have to tough it out until safe for response. Number of souls at risk said to be 36. Ship has lost main propulsion 90 miles from Galveston.

If you live in one of the evac zip code and haven’t left LEAVE NOW.

If you have special needs, call 311 now and we will come get you.

ASL interpreter visible on Houston CBS, Fox and NBC [occasional split screens] but not on Houston ABC – doing split screen with radar images.

Let your family know where you are going. If you don’t have a place to stay, shelters have been set up in various cities.

Lufkin or Bryan College Station are recommended.

Message: GET OUT if you live in one of the evac zones.

Mayor White: If you live in mandatory evac zones – there are people waiting to be dispatched to 31 calls for assistance. GET OUT NOW.

This is a serious event. Does not make sense to stay. NOW is the time to evacuate. Don’t wait until noon to make a decision. It’s going to be a scary 36 hours. People shouldn’t drive to ERs or Fire Stations to seek shelter. No more zip codes should be evacuated right now. We will be looking at places where the water is rising. After the storm if people need emergency shelters, there are potential shelter areas arranged by City and ARC – announcements will be made. People should not go to shelters before the storm. Will require adequate services, staff – there is an extensive plan for sheltering after the fact.

If you live in one of the mandatory evac zones and the predicted storm surge arrives – you won’t have a house. It’s not a question of riding it out. You need to get out. Referred to Katrina experience in Mississippi.

Fuel shortages. People are worried in areas that are not under mandatory evacuations. Fuels group working on it – have addressed issue – there are pockets with limited supplies.

When will emergency responders be unable to respond – based on eval of wind and driving rain conditions on the road – will try not to make it prematurely. Will advise via the press.

Note: Live TV coverage showing downtown Galveston is already flooding. Coastal flooding at low tide. Up to three feet of water in streets.

NEMRC Update - LA - Reports from multiple jurisdictions 11.10

Jefferson Parish is now under a tornado watch. As a result two temporary facilities are open as shelters. These shelters are designed to provide temporary housing until the threat of tornadoes has passed. Individuals who evacuate to these shelters should bring whatever personal items they may need to sustain themselves until the threat of bad weather is over.

Westbank Shelter
Kings Grant Playground
3805 15th Street
Harvey

Eastbank Shelter
Girard Playground Meeting Room
5300 Irving Street
Metairie

Individuals living in trailers/mobile homes should continue to pay close attention to their local radio and television station broadcasts for updates on weather conditions. In the event of high winds or tornado warnings, individuals should evacuate their trailer immediately and move to the nearest substantial structure or to one of the temporary shelters listed.

The Emergency Management Department is closely monitoring the weather conditions until the threat of bad weather is over. For further information please call the Department of Emergency Management at 349-5360.

Plaquemines Parish
EVACUATION CLARIFICATION
9:00 AM
Belle Chasse, LA – Residents on the eastbank from Braithwaite to White Ditch should evacuate. However, the storm surge should not overtop the federal levee system from Phoenix to Bohemia on the eastbank.
Residents on the westbank north of ConocoPhillips are in no danger of flooding. This includes Belle Chasse.

**********************************************************
8:30am

EASTBANK EVACUATION CENTER
NOW OPEN IN BRAITHWAITE

Belle Chasse, LA – Plaquemines Parish has opened the Assumption Church Family Hall at 6951 Highway 39 in Braithwaite for eastbank residents to evacuate. The Sheriff’s Office is on the eastbank to assist. Residents who need more information can call (504) 297-5600.

***************************************************
8:00 am

PLAQUEMINES RESIDENTS ON EASTBANK BRAITHWAITE
ASKED TO PREPARE TO EVACUATE

Belle Chasse, LA – Plaquemines Parish residents in Braithwaite Park are asked to prepare to evacuate to a shelter to open shortly or leave the area altogether. Water will soon overtop the Braithwaite Pump Station. Parish officials will soon open a shelter for Braithwaite Park residents and will be announced soon. Crews are in route to flood fight. Residents on the south end of the parish on the westbank who must leave for medical or other reasons should do so now or shelter in place for the duration of the storm. Those who stay are safe; however, Highway 23 may soon be flooded and those who wish to leave may not be able to do so. Residents in the Ironton and Myrtle Grove area should evacuate because of water rising. Residents on the westbank may evacuate to a shelter at Family Life Center at St. Patrick's Church in Port Sulphur.

St John the Baptist Parish

Updates as of 8:30 am, Friday, September 12, 2008 HURRICANE IKE TORNADO WATCH ISSUED FOR ST JOHN All residents are asked to assist with the drainage parish wide by picking up debris and cleaning out ditches, culverts, and catch basins. St. John is expected to experience tropical storm force winds and rain VOLUNTARY EVACUTATION: recommended for low lying areas and mobile homes SCHOOLS CLOSED: Friday, September 12th. CURFEW midnight to 6 am. Bans the sale of guns, ammo, and alcohol. FOOD STAMPS REGISTRATION: CLOSED Friday, Sept. 12th. Re-open Saturday, Sept 13th. @ 8:00am

New Wine Christian Fellowship at 1929 West Airline Hwy in LaPlace. Hours are from 8 am to 8 pm. Registration will be from until September 17th. Residents are required to bring proof of identification, income, and residency. Residents can also go to www.dss.state.la.us or www.sjbparish.com for more information and eligibility requirements.

POWER: Outages may be experienced by our residents due to Hurricane Ike. For safety reasons, Entergy Response Crews will not respond while our area is experiencing high winds.

St Tammany Parish

Friday, September 12, 2008 7:20 AM

The water is rising in St. Tammany's coastal areas, from south of Slidell through Madisonville. We have confirmations of water covered roads in Indian Village, Northshore Beach, Palm Lake, Coin du Lestin, Lacombe and Mandeville. We have no reports of home flooding at this time. Emergency Operations personnel are inspecting St. Tammany’s coastal areas at this time. Public Works crews are activated to close streets and assist as necessary. Please do not drive through flooded streets. It is dangerous for you and it may push waves into homes. The National Weather Service says that water will continue to rise through mid-morning and then be slow to drain off. Drainage may not begin until Sunday.

Friday, September 12, 2008 9:00 AM

We have street flooding in low-lying pockets throughout St. Tammany, from Indian Village through Palm Lake, Coin du Lestin, Mandeville to Madisonville. Do not attempt to drive through heavily flooded roads. A number of subdivisions have impassable roads at this time. If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.

We are also beginning to receive reports of scattered power outages.

I received a report a few minutes ago that the Disaster Food Stamp temporary office at the Castine Center will remain open today.

We remain under a tornado watch. Please monitor the weather closely.
Kevin

Terrebonne Parish

SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 NEWS RELEASE 9/12/2008 2:54:06 AM
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
TERREBONNE PARISH CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT
NAME: Linda C. Henderson
PHONE: 985-873-6816
EMAIL: lhenderson@tpcg.org

HURRICANE IKE UPDATE
PARISH OFFICIALS HAVE CALLED FOR A MANDATORY EVACUATION OF THOSE CITIZENS IN THE FOLOWING AREAS:
LOWER POINTE AUX CHENES
LOWER CHAUVIN/SOUTH OF BOUDREAUX CANAL
LOWER GRAND CAILLOU FOR AREAS OF DULAC AND OSUTH OF THE BOBTOWN BRIDGE
ALL F BAYOU DULARGETHE FOLLOWING SHELTERS ARE OPENED FOR EVACUEES:
HOUMA JR. HIGH
FIRST UNITED PENTACOSTAL CHURCH FOR SPECIAL NEED EVACUEES

RESIDENTS CAN EXPECT A 5-7 FOOT TIDAL SURGE IN THESE AREAS WHICH WILL CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL FLOODING.
RESIDENTS WHO ARE GOING TO EVACUATE AND DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION ARE REQUESTED TO SEEK HELP FIRST FROM THEIR RELATIVES OR NEIGHBORS.

It is also requested that if possible those evacuees stay with family and/or friends outside of the evacuation area. However, if evacuees cannot obtain transportation, they can call the unified command center at 873-6357 or the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 876-2500 for assistance.
A curfew of 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 a.m. is in place immediately. Also, all alcohol sales in the Parish are suspended until further notice

FOOD STAMPS:
Due to hurricane Ike the State of Louisiana suspended their food stamp operations at 4:00 p.m. today until further notice.
Continue to monitor your media for updates on hurricane IKE and programs such as the Food Stamp Benefit Service.

Multiple State and Federal Highway Road closures in the following parishes:

Acadia, Cameron, Lafourche, Morehouse, Orleans, St Bernard, St John the Baptist, St Mary, St Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Vermillion

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (September 11, 2008) – The Louisiana Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is still responding to the needs of those affected by Hurricane Gustav. The organization provided services to meet the immediate emergency needs of people by providing shelter, food, water and emotional support in the first days prior to and after landfall of the storm. As of today, seven shelters are still operating in the 10-parish area, and volunteers continue working with damage
assessment, mobile feeding and bulk distribution of supplies.

Shelters still open:
Kernan Avenue BREC
333 Kernan Avenue
BATON ROUGE, EBR

Scott Civic Center
1200 Major Pkwy
NEW ROADS, POINTE COUPEE

Erwinville Community Center
5110 Section Road
PORT ALLEN, WBR

Flannery Road Recreation Center
801 Flannery Road
BATON ROUGE, EBR

West Livingston School
320 Rodeo
DENHAM SPRINGS, LIVINGSTON

Gus Young BREC
4201 Gus Young Ave
BATON ROUGE, EBR

Miracle Place
2080 Main St
BAKER, EBR

Several kitchen sites were set up last week through a partnership with Southern Baptists. Meals are loaded into Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles, and the ERVs bring the meals to those in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Damage assessment teams were on the ground to analyze the significant structural damage to homes within days after the storm. The routes were provided through a partnership with the parish
offices of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. The significant structural damage will be the basis of the emergency financial assistance. Client casework started just days ago, and volunteers are visiting with individual families through outreach.

The Red Cross has also established several fixed-feeding sites where individuals can pick up a hot meal. As power is restored to neighborhoods, these sites may close to assist others in most need.

Fixed feeding sites open:

Maringouin Town Hall
77510 Landry Drive
Maringouin
Last meal will be served Friday, September 12 at Noon

Old Church’s Chicken Parking Lot
Corner of Highland & East Harding
Baton Rouge
Meals start Friday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Mount Salem Baptist Church
1100 St. Vincent Street
Donaldsonville
Meals served only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (September 12 – 14), from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Intersection of Plank Road and Railroad Crossing
North Baton Rouge
Meals served twice a day, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. each day

Martin Luther King Center
4000 Gus Young Avenue
Baton Rouge
Meals served twice a day, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. each day

Grocery Store/Town Hall
Hwy. 42
French Settlement
Evening meal only: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

City Hall
18115 Willow Street
Grosse Tete
Meals served twice a day, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. each day

St. Joan of Arc
39315 Hwy. 75
Bayou Pigeon
Meals served twice a day, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. each day

NEMRC Alert - LA - Jefferson Parish ordering Mandatory Evac 11.21

Urgent: Jefferson Parish has ordered a Mandatory Evacuation from Crown Point South in the town of Jean Lafitte. Shelter location 5185 Eighty Arpent Rd in Marrero.

Thanks to Katherine Hoover, MHS, CRC
Disability Affairs Specialist
Jefferson Parish Office for Citizens With Disabilities

NEMRC Alert - TX 'Unprecedented surge event' - Ed Rappaport NHC 11.27

Maybe last chance to get out for people – might be the last chance ever. This may be an unprecedented surge event. Cat 2 or 3 at landfall. At the moment the track seems locked-in… water levels may be 5-7 feet above normal now – another 15 feet of depth to the water plus wave action on top… waves on top of storm surge – greatest along coast – potentially in excess of 20 feet…
Perhaps unprecedented storm surge - maybe in the last 40-50 years.
Potential for major wind damage in Houston – referred to Hurricane Alicia.
- Ed Rappaport, Natl Hurricane Center

NEMRC Update - LA - Reports from multiple jurisdictions 13.00

Local Levee Districts Report Widespread Flooding Of Low-Lying Areas Across Southeast And Central Louisiana Coast

Baton Rouge (September 12, 2008) - Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration officials and officials from levee districts across Southeast and Central Louisiana have reported widespread flooding of coastal communities outside federal levee protection systems as of 10:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

Flooding has been reported in the flowing communities/areas (listed by parishes east to west):

St. Bernard Parish: widespread flooding has been reported in communities outside the New Orleans Area Hurricane Protection System: Shell Beach, Yscloskey, Alluvial City, Delacroix and Hopedale.

Plaquemines Parish: Contractors are adding sandbags to levees in the Caernarvon and Braithewaite areas to prevent levee overtopping from threatening the communities of Braithewaite, Scarsdale and White Ditch. The diversion siphon at Caernarvon that ordinarily directs water from the Mississippi River into marshes in St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parish has been opened to allow storm surges to flow from the marsh into the River. Officials are closely monitoring both storm surge levels and river levels.

Orleans Parish: Parish levee officials have closed the floodgates on both Hwy. 11 and Hwy. 90. Levee officials are reporting water level rises in Lake Pontchartrain and the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal. Floodgates have also been closed on the London Ave. and 17th Street Canal. No significant flooding is expected in Orleans Parish.

Jefferson Parish: The town of Lafitte has reported flooding. The Pontchartrain Levee District is sending sandbags to Lafitte to help protect critical areas. Grand Isle has reported significant storm surge flooding covering the island. Water levels may exceed those experienced during Hurricane Gustav on Sept. 1. Storm surge flooding began Thursday, Sept. 11.

Floodgates have been closed throughout Jefferson Parish including the ones on Company Canal and the Harvey Canal.

Lafourche Parish: Flooding of La. Hwy 1 has been reported between Port Fourchon and Grand Isle. Officials are closely monitoring storm surge levels. The floodgate on Bayou Lafourche at Golden Meadow has been closed since Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Terrebonne Parish: Levee overtopping of parish levees and flooding has been reported in the towns of Isle de Jean Charles, Montegut, Pointe Aux Chenes, Cocodrie and Dulac. Flooding conditions are being closely monitored by parish and state officials.

St. Mary Parish: Levee overtopping of a parish levee has been reported near the town of Gordy in lower St. Mary Parish. Flooding will be closely monitored throughout lower St. Mary throughout the day Friday and Saturday.

Storm surge levels are forecast to increase in coastal areas in western Louisiana throughout the day Friday and through Saturday. State and local officials are closely monitoring flood conditions due to Hurricane Ike with available resources dedicated as needed.

Jefferson Parish

MANDATORY EVACUATION

A Mandatory Evacuation of Jean Lafitte, Crown Point, Barataria and areas outside of the levee protection system has been called today, Friday September 12, 2008.
For residents needing assistance to evacuate Jean Lafitte, Crown Point, Barataria and areas outside of the levee protection system, a bus is available at Jean Lafitte Town Hall, 2654 Jean Lafitte Boulevard.
Pard Playground at 5185 Eighty Arpent Road, Marrero has been opened for residents. Individuals who evacuate to this shelter should bring whatever personal items they may need to sustain themselves until the threat of bad weather is over.
Residents who evacuate are asked not to leave garbage or trash curbside for pickup because collection service may be suspended due to the storm. These items could present a problem in clogging drains and may become projectiles in high winds.

St Tammany Parish

Friday, September 12, 2008 11:30 AM

PLEASE do not drive down flooded streets. We are getting reports of cars causing wakes that are endangering homes. Do not drive through flooded areas.

We are opening the Coquille Sports Complex as a Red Cross Shelter in western St. Tammany. The Red Cross is working on opening a shelter in eastern St. Tammany shortly.

We have reached high tide on the eastern side of the parish, but not the western. In addition, we will all have to watch the lake levels closely as the water begins to drain from Lake Pontchartrain. The winds will shift, moving the water toward the north shore as it also moves east through the Rigolets.

I have declared a State of Emergency in St. Tammany Parish for Hurricane Ike.

Kevin

Friday, September 12, 2008 10:30 AM

The following major roads in St. Tammany Parish have been closed:

LA 22 between the Madisonville Bridge and the Fairview State Park

Highway 190 near Apple Pie Ridge Road

Highway 433 (Bayou Liberty Road) between Caroll Road & St. Genevieve Church (includes Bayou Liberty Bridge)

Highway 1077 (Lake Road) South of LA 22

Do not attempt to drive through flooded streets.

If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.

I'll have another update shortly.

Kevin

Levee Overtopping Reported in Terrebonne Parish Town of Chauvin

Baton Rouge (September 12, 2008) - Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration officials have reported that Terrebonne Parish officials are monitoring levee overtopping of parish levees in the town of Chauvin in south Terrebonne Parish as of 10:45 a.m. Friday.

Louisiana Dept. of Transportation and Development officials are also reporting that sections of La. Hwy 82 in Cameron Parish have been closed due to flooding.

Levee and flood conditions will be closely monitored by the Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration throughout the approach and landfall of Hurricane Ike.

Conditions will be reported as they are obtained.

NEMRC Update: Notes from Galveston County EOC briefing 13.13

Special needs people have been evacuated. Transitioning to recovery issues. Curfews will be enacted. Damage assessment will commence asap.

People who have not left need to shelter in place. Get off the highways. Going to be a rough 24 hours. As prepared as we can be.

Next few hours trop force winds will come ashore. Conditions will worsen. Hurr force winds after sunset – likely last 10-12 hrs. Long period time with extremely poor conditions.

Storm surge is biggest element. Beachfront and Gal Island 12-15 feet, Bolivar Pen 20 feet, Gal Bay 15-20 feet. Winds will be sust at 90-105 mph inland, 110-120 near the coast at landfall.

Will be a nighttime event. Worse conditions at night.

Bolivar Peninsula – SAR already underway – we try to protect lives with every decision. There are a handful of people who stayed behind. Trying to get them out with helicopters. Will need to stop rescues soon. Then will wish those folks godspeed and get to the highest point they can.

Storms forecast and conditions we have this AM are what we expected – Huge storm. Galv Island tide levels are nearing 9 feet above MSL on the beachfront.

Curfew situation – common sense says get off the roads now. Curfew at 17h until dawn Monday morning.

NEMRC Alert - TX - Unconfirmed reports as many as 150 people requiring rescue from Bolivar Peninsula 13.39

Journalists reporting four CG helos working active SAR on Bolivar Peninsula. Unconfirmed reports of as many as 150 people requiring rescue. Limited number of helos working to try and get people off that area in time.

NEMRC Update - TX - CNN reporting estimate that more than 35,000 may require rescue post-Ike 13.50

HOUSTON, Texas (CNN) -- The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday morning began helicopter rescues of up to 50 residents on the Texas coast, and a U.S. military official told CNN that 37,000 people may need to be rescued after Hurricane Ike strikes. [Updated 51 minutes ago] http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/09/12/ike.rescues/

No ASL interpreter visible on KHOU and ABC13

Chertoff: People should be prepared to shelter in place until help can get to you. Be safe than sorry.

People should be prepared for very significant disruptions 100,000 residences may be flooded…more than 1M without electricity…24-48-72 hrs after storm very challenging.

Get drinking water, food, essential supplies for several days. Don’t want to be foraging for supplies.

Thanks for your support of fellow Americans.

Potentially catastrophic hurricane.

Relieve suffering, save lives, power up and running, food and water, health services… as soon as possible after storm.

AIDMatrix to make donations that are meaningful.

Paulison: Rescuers in harms way to make rescues in Bolivar. Thousands of responders staged to help. COG is major priority. Pre-positioned commodities with water, blue tarps, food, medical etc. Working together as partners. Team effort sharing info.

NB: Freighter – CG attempted rescue two Ospreys two JayHawks – rescue aborted at 12h40. Critical situation. Cyprus flagged vessel 90 miles south of Galveston. Now adrift.

NB: Tornado watches up on TX coast…

NEMRC Update - Mayor's briefing - City of Galveston 16.19

Mayor of City of Galveston Island: No ASL interpreter visible on multiple stations.

Curfew at sunset ends at sunrise – same until Monday. Shelter of last resort at Ball High School [sp?] open for duration of storm only. Food water, restrooms, no cots – minimal but shelter from the storm. Hotel providing media area in ballroom.

COG in place. Representatives have gone to mainland.

City Mgr – response to many citizens trying to get to shelter of last resort – 150 people so far – people can bring their pets.

12 high water rescues so far.. island is flooding severely being torn up pretty severely… house fire on west end…were unable to combat fire…house damaged severely… multiple gas leaks… trop force winds so far… worse is yet to come. If you need help let us know as soon as possible. Water is rising quickly. Anyone else stuck out in west end we won’t be able to help them. We simply can’t get there.

Mayor says she doesn’t want to scare her residents – commenting on the NWS statement on ‘certain death’ – can’t comment on other ‘people’s attitudes.’

Rescues have been on west end and north side of the island. Everyone who has called we have been able to rescue. People who got trapped where they were located. 40% of the population chose to stay despite call for mandatory evacuation.

Water service has been cut off for west end earlier today.

Special needs citizens all evacuated – arrived in Austin 0300 hrs.

No more emergency response after 21h tonight. 409-765-3710 Emergency Ops Center if you need help. Make your decision immediately. Less likely we’ll be able to assist as day goes on.

Date: Sep 12 2008 12:15PM Release: Immediate (Harris County, TX) – With Hurricane Ike heading towards the Gulf Coast, Harris County emergency officials are urging residents to prepare for potential tornados in the area. Remain alert for approaching tornados. Watch the sky and stay tuned to radio and television broadcasts for updated information and warnings.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHELTER INFORMATION

DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF LOCALIZED FLOODING AND HIGH WINDS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS OPENING SHELTERS OF LAST RESORT FOR CITIZENS TO RIDE OUT THE STORM. CITIZENS WHO LIVE IN HOMES THAT CANNOT STAND TROPICAL STORM AND/OR HURRICANE FORCE WINDS OR THOSE WHO LIVE IN FLOOD PLAINS OR LOW LYING AREAS SHOULD CONSIDER EVACUATING TO ONE OF THESE SHELTERS. NO PETS WILL BE ALLOWED, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SERVICE ANIMALS.

RESIDENTS SEEKING SHELTER NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN BEDDING AND FOOD.

High Point Fellowship 12308 HWY 59 @ Fastoria Splendora OPENING @ 7:00PM

Willis High School

F.M. 830 & 75

OPENING @ 5:00PM

Caney Creek High School

16840 F.M. 2090

OPENING @ 5:00PM

Oak Ridge High School

27330 Oak Ridge School Road

OPENING @ 5:00PM

Montgomery Junior High

1900 Stewart Creek Rd.

OPENING @ 5:00PM

Magnolia 6th Grade Campus (Red Cross)

110 S. Magnolia (1774)

OPENING @ 6:00PM

New Life Assembly of God

17030 Main St.

Splendora

OPENING @ 4:00PM

West Conroe Baptist Church

Longmire and Loop 336

OPENING @ 4:00PM

City of Angleton

UPDATED 9/12/08 11:15 AM

The latest update from the National
Weather Center predicts Angleton will
see tropical storm force winds until later
today with hurricane force winds
beginning tonight.

Predictions also show a 15 foot storm
surge with 6 foot tides and 8 - 10 inches
of rain by Saturday morning.

Severe damage is expected in the
Angleton area.

Any remaining Angleton residents are
strongly encouraged to evacuate NOW as
there will be NO city services available
including police, fire and EMS.

Landfall is predicted for approx. 2:00 AM
Saturday morning near the west side of
Galveston Bay.

There will be NO shelters in Angleton.

Re-entry to the city will be determined
after damage assessments are completed
and services restored to a level to support
general public needs. The city is anticipating
power outages, downed trees and possible
loss of water and wastewater services, in
addition to widespread flooding.

Baytown Hurricane IKE Update Friday, Sept 12, 2008 - 1300 CDT

The Baytown area could experience tropical force winds (39 mph) beginning Friday morning (9/12/08), and close to sunset (9/12/08) the hurricane force winds of 75+ mph may begin and continue until sunrise.

Please be prepared for the sounds of fierce howling winds that can generate structural vibrations for a period of time. Remain sheltered in your safe room until the winds cease…there may be a period of calmness as the eye of the hurricane passes over, please do not be tempted to leave your safe room. The hurricane force winds are predicted to cease around mid-afternoon on Saturday. With hurricane force winds, we can expect some wind damage to buildings, but site built homes should weather IKE with minimal damages…typically lost shingles, unprotected windows broken, wind driven rain leakage around windows and doors.

The National Hurricane Center currently predicts landfall of Hurricane IKE to occur early Saturday (9/13/08) at approximately 2:00 a.m. near the west end of Galveston Island as a strong category 2 or minimal category 3. In addition to the winds, a storm surge with saltwater flooding as high as 18’ above high tides may occur. There may be approximately 40 mph wind for 24 hours following landfall. Sustained winds at that speed will likely cause power outages, which may last for days or longer. We are also expecting torrential rains in amounts of 9” or more. Localized flooding of streets and lots will occur.

If you live near a river, stream, or bayou: Goose Creek, Cedar Bayou, etc. you should NOT shelter at home. Leave now and shelter in higher ground. There are no shelters in evacuation areas so you may want to contact friends and/or relatives for assistance.

Do NOT drive through standing water of unknown depth…Turn around; don’t take the risk of drowning.

Baytown’s weather is deteriorating… take shelter.

When wind speeds reach 50 mph, fire, police and EMS will cease responding, so you will have to be patient if an emergency arises…we will get there as soon as IKE allows us to.

Where people should be right now? By 18h30 we will begin having hurricane force winds – people need to be off freeways and roads. There will be a point when emergency vehicles will be off the road.

Go inside. Go into shelter for the evening. Hurricane force winds will be upon us. Get to a safe spot and ride out this storm.

Hundreds of thousands of people evacuated. Criminal enforcement will be swift and severe for looters.

Effective 19h curfew in all mandatory evac zones in City of Houston – sunset to sunrise. Working with all municipalities to get people sheltered immediately.

Plaquemines Parish

5:30PM
Belle Chasse, LA - Plaquemines Parish officials, National Guard and the Army Corps are continuing to flood fight on both sides of the river at this time. Eastbank – Sandbagging is continuing in the Braithwaite Scarsdale area. Water is still overtopping along two areas of the private levee (one 30-foot section and one 300-foot section), but now only minimally thanks to voracious sandbagging by parish residents and workers. About 1000 homes are in this area. At this time, no homes have been flooded. The water level is expected to drop by tomorrow morning. Westbank – Overtopping is occurring in the Myrtle Grove area along the private levee - sandbagging is continuing in this area as well. Highway 23 is now closed in the Myrtle Grove area due to flooding. Power – There are spotty power outages throughout the parish. Entergy will begin to restore power when winds drop below 35mph. Evacuees – About 170 residents are still in evacuation centers throughout the parish.

St Charles Parish

ST. CHARLES PARISH WAITING ON RISING WATER;

WASTEWATER SYSTEM GIVEN ALL-CLEAR

Hurricane Ike Update #4 - 5:10 p.m. 9/12/08

Wind-driven water from Hurricane Ike today covered parts of Bayou Gauche Island as St. Charles Parish Public Works crews continue to shore up flood protection around Des Allemands and Paradis. Flood control tubes and temporary earthen levees made of plastic-wrapped sand lined Bayou Des Allemands, while residents and officials continue to keep a close watch on rising water. As southerly tropical storm force winds continue to hammer St. Charles Parish, the water is expected to rise, especially in the parish's southernmost areas. There remains the possibility of street flooding in Luling's Willowdale and Willowridge subdivisions, and levees elsewhere could be tested. The St. Charles Parish Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness continues to ask that residents of Bayou Gauche and Des Allemands remain vigilant in paying attention to water levels. Due to the potential of rising water, isolated evacuations in areas south of Highway 90 may be necessary if conditions exist for an imminent flood.

Officials with the Pontchartrain Levee District, which oversees the hurricane protection levee on the East Bank along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, expects storm surge from the lake to reach the levee itself. But water levels are expected to be relatively low and out of overtopping range. Entergy reports 445 customers remain without power in St. Charles this evening. These outages will persist overnight. Power restoration crews are standing down because of high winds. The outages are concentrated in Destrehan, Luling, Norco and Paradis.

St Tammany Parish

Friday, September 12, 2008 5:30 PM

While Lake Pontchartrain will reach its peak storm surge height late this evening, it may be deceptive as the lake will be at low tide tonight as well. The tides will bring the lake waters back up as we reach high tide around noon tomorrow. After that, the water should continue to recede.

It has been quite a day. I want to commend all of our first responders for their work today evacuating citizens from high waters. Once again, St. Tammany citizens are grateful for your devotion to duty.

Waters continued to rise throughout the afternoon. New areas experiencing high waters include Lacombe Harbor, the Old River Road area which is east of Slidell, parts of Flowers Estates which is south of Covington, and Rigolets Estates.

We have had reported power outages and trees down throughout the parish which our parish crews have been cleaning. Hopefully by Sunday we will be out of this storm.

Kevin

Friday, September 12, 2008 3:45 PM

A second Red Cross Shelter has been opened in St. Tammany, at Grace Memorial Baptist Church on Pearl Acres Rd. in Slidell.

At this time, the city of Madisonville has been closed except for emergency vehicles and residents, due to high water. I have spoken to Police Chief Dave Smith, and the water is still rising. In order to protect the property of residents from water being pushed up by sightseers, the roads are closed to outside traffic.

At this time the Hwy 11 bridge in Slidell is now closed, due to water and wind.

We have received notice that the Disaster Food Stamp location at the Castine Center in Mandeville will NOT open tomorrow, Saturday, September 13. It will reopen Sunday, September 14 at 8AM.

I ask all of our citizens to be safe and NOT travel the streets where flooding has occurred. Both for the safety of your property and yourselves, please stay off the streets when water is present. Kevin

COASTAL FLOODING UPDATE to Governor Jindal
September 12, 2008 4:00 p.m. - Water levels in Southeast Louisiana are beginning to recede and are cresting in south-central Louisiana. Water is rising in Southwestern portions of the state. The federal flood protection system (Grand Isle notwithstanding) has not been compromised; no breaches or overtopping reported. Many non-federal/back levees have been and continue to be overtopped.

(Parishes listed east to west)

St Tammany: Madisonville streets are inundated resulting in numerous road closures below US 190 including Hwy 22. The parish has opened a shelter in Mandeville. Water is expected to rise to Rita levels. No mandatory evacuations have been declared.

St. Bernard: Louisiana National Guard Blackhawk helicopter is in route for visual inspection of levees. Federal protection system is holding, but non-federal protection has been overtopped. Communities of Hopedale, Shell Beach, and Yscloskey are flooded. Water level gage at Bay Gardene south of Caernarvon shows water level is beginning to fall.

Plaquemines: National Guard Blackhawk Helicopter is in route for visual inspection of levees. Seven feet of water has been reported on Hwy 39 at White Ditch. A 50-foot wide, five-foot deep scour has been confirmed near Scarsdale. Parish is addressing. Louisiana National Guard is mobilizing 500,000 sandbags to send to the site. Water has crested and is receding. Active flood fights on both east and west banks continue. East bank communities of Braithwaite, Port Nichols and Scarsdale are threatened by flooding. Plaquemines Parish officials report no confirmed home flooding. There are about 1000 homes in the area. The Caernarvon diversion structure has been opened to drain the protected area between river levee and back levee into the Mississippi River. Reports are that the Myrtle Grove back levee, on the west side of the Mississippi River is overtopping.

Orleans/Jefferson: Levees are intact with no breaches or overtopping reported. Pumps are fully functional. London Avenue and 17th Street Canal gates on Lake Pontchartrain have been closed. Harvey Canal Gate on westbank of Jefferson is closed.

IHNC: Current water elevation is eight feet. Flood walls are built to 12 feet. Water not expected to threaten walls. No ships/boats dislodged.

Lafitte: Lower points on levees and interim protection overtopped. Citizens evacuated. Sandbagging of lower areas continues.

Grand Isle: Louisiana National Guardsmen on site report water is beginning to recede. Island is currently cut off due to three-four foot inundation of La. Hwy 1 below Leeville. Military staged to respond as soon as water recedes. Mayor David Camardelle reported 3-feet of water over Hwy 1. All temporary sand-levee work destroyed and several breaches have formed in original levee on east end of island. Gages in Barataria Bay have indicated peak surge was equal to or slightly higher than Gustav peak.

Lafourche: All areas below Golden Meadow floodgate are inundated.

Terrebonne: Town of Theriot, north of Falgout Canal, is now experiencing water coming over roads. Non-federal levees in lower Terrebonne have been compromised. Communities of Point Aux Chenes, Montegut, Dulac, and Dularge are flooded. Ten-12 inches of water on streets in communities but main roads continue to be passable. Expectations are that Chauvin is flooded as well but that is not confirmed. Monitoring stations offshore of Timbalier Island reported surge heights approaching Gustav levels, with wave heights of 11 feet. Wind and wave heights measured off Timbalier Island have leveled off.

St. Mary: Bayou Sale levees (Hwy 317) west of Berwick are being overtopped. Two feet of inundation in lower parish. Hwy 387 is closed.

Iberia: Water continues to rise as of 3:30 p.m. Hayes Road and Railroad Road are inundated with one-foot of water and are impassable to civilian traffic. Areas south of Hwy 90 and east of Hwy 675 evacuated. Assets are in place should further evacuations be necessary.

Vermilion: All locks/floodgates are closed and undamaged, as are levees. Sheriff reported all residents of Pecan Island, Forked Island, and Intracoastal City have evacuated. Water levels reported as five feet above normal. All assets are on standby. Floodgates and levees okay. Water on road at Avery Island bridge.

Calcasieu: Calcasieu locks all closed, expected to reopen 8:00 a.m. Sunday. National Guard assets in place.

Cameron: Two feet of water reported over HWY 27 north of Hackberry. Louisiana National Guard reported it rescued a Parish Deputy stranded in vehicle. Hwy 82 to Texas line (including Cameron Court House) and Hwy 27 along coast are inundated with up to five feet of water. National Guard has high water vehicles and boats in place for assistance with evacuations. Parish EOC has moved to Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office.

NEMRC Update - TX - Reports from multiple jurisdictions 20.34

Much of the Galveston Island is currently flooded and there are several fires in that area. Many roads in the County are impassable to rising water and debris. Sustained tropical storm force winds are currently affecting the coast. Due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the time has come to shelter in place. The anticipated storm surge is between 12-19 along the beach front and between 15-20 feet in Galveston Bay at the height of the storm The Galveston-Bolivar Ferry has ceased operations. The Bolivar SUD has ceased water service to the Peninsulaand there is currently no electricity there. Citizens of Galveston County should pay close attention to the news media throughout the duration for the most current information. We are continuing to work with our local jurisdiction partners, the National Weather Service and the Governor's Division of Emergency Management.

Curfews by Jurisdiction

Galveston County, Clear Lake Shores, Jamaica Beach, Tiki Island, Bayou Vista, Santa Fe - 5:00 pm Friday to dawn on Sunday; then dusk on Sunday to dawn on Monday; Kemah - 7:00 pm through 7:00 am through Sunday; League City - 6:00 pm - 6:00 am Friday and Saturday; Friendswood - dusk to dawn Friday and Saturday; Dickinson - 5:00 pm to dawn Friday through Sunday; La Marque - 5:00 pm Friday with a 10 day declaration in effect until evaluated by City Mayor; Texas City - 3:00 pm Friday until the storm passes; dusk until dawn thereafter pending further evaluation; Galveston - 8:00 Friday ends 5:00 am Sunday; Hitchcock - dust to dawn until Monday

Harris County

General Information for the Public Regarding Hurricane Ike

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, along with its partner agencies at Houston TranStar, is working to protect the lives and safety of residents in the region affected by Hurricane Ike. Below is a list of changes in preparation for Hurricane Ike.

Shelter In Place

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett strongly recommends that residents shelter in place for the duration of the storm. “Shelter in place” means that residents should remain at their current locations until the storm has passed.

311 Services Closed—Dial 911 Instead

311 services have ceased operation. Residents who are in the evacuation zone and need help evacuating should dial 911.

Metropolitan Transit Authority

METRO is closed and will continue to be closed on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. METRO will evaluate road conditions on Sunday to determine when they will restart service. For more information on METRO services, customers are encouraged to check METRO’S Web site at www.ridemetro.org or call 713-652-8960 or 713-635-4000.

Flash Flood Warning / High Water Locations

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the area.

After the storm has passed, residents can go to Houston TranStar’s web site for a list of reported high water locations -- http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/roadclosures/ .

George R. Brown

The George R. Brown Convention Center has concluded evacuation efforts.

Important Numbers
Emergency Services - 911
Harris County Call Center – 713-881-3100
American Red Cross – 713-526-8300.

La Porte City

*EMS and Senior Services have finished special population evacuations. However, we still are receiving calls for assistance. *Very few local hospitals are open. As a result EMS has initiated the catch and release system whereas they only transport critical patients

*All city employees have been released except for essential personnel

Amateur radio operators are monitoring and will relay any information

Navarro County Shelters have received La Porte citizens. 175 category 1-3 evacuees have been received and are being sheltered at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Corsicana

*Areas of La Porte are now inaccessible due to rising tides. *The City of La Porte has activated it's citizen hotline. Citizens may call to find out critical information. # 1-866-642-4153

Pasadena

Mayor Johnny Isbell has issued an emergency executive order declaring a state of disaster for the City of Pasadena, Texas resulting from Hurricane Ike. A curfew shall remain in effect between the hours of 7 P.M. and 6 A.M. Saturday. A person shall not remain or travel upon any public or private property within Pasadena city limits between these times.

City of Wharton Public Works has asked local residents to conserve water usage through the weekend. Although Public Works will not shut your water off, with the loss of electrical power, the tanks may not be able to be refilled. Fill your bath tubs and other containers before Hurricane Ike makes landfall and remember to use water only when necessary.

Posted Friday, September 12, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

NEMRC Update - Special needs/Medical needs updates TX 22.45

Alamo Area Regional Command (AARC): The AARC continues receiving and processing warehouse operation requests. The AARC Reception Center recently received 232 commercial buses from Tully Stadium in Houston and 56 commercial buses from Texas City. The following are currently staged in San Antonio: 69 commercial buses, 123 school buses, and 2 wheelchair vans. Sixty-nine ambulances are currently staged at Port San Antonio. The latest estimates place 3,541 evacuees at Port San Antonio. The third lane of IH-37, northbound from Corpus Christi, has been closed. Task Force Ike resources remain staged at East Kelly.

Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Support – The TFS EOC is coordinating with TIFMAS to provide 19 ambulances and 118 EMT/Paramedics to assist the Department of State Health Services with patient evacuations.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD): Region 10 in Corpus Christi is prepared for Search and Rescue Galveston/ Brazoria Area. 65 game wardens are activated with 30 boats fueled and prepared. All assets including fuel trailers and communications trailers are in safe locations and are prepared to respond for SAR. Region 4 in Houston is prepared to respond with 55 Game Wardens and 27 boats/trailers. Region 3 in Rusk is prepared with 50 Game Wardens and 25 Boats ready to respond. Region 5 in San Antonio is prepared to respond. Personnel include 55 Game Wardens with 25 boats/fuel trailers. Region 8 has 55 Game Wardens and 25 Boats fueled and ready out of Mt. Pleasant. At this time strike teams will be assigned to the following areas: Region 10 Strike team will be assisting Region 4 and will be dispatched out of Reliant Stadium Houston by the Liaison team and TWPD Major in coordination with the Task Force 1 forces (DPS, TEEXS. TPWD, Texas Military Forces, Texas Forest Service, DSHS, GLO). The following strike teams will be 10 man units with 5 boats each and a Captain in charge. Region 9 strike team in Robertson County and the additional teams that are forming up from Regions 5, 7, & 9 will also be responding to Region 4 Beaumont / Port Arthur area under the direction of TPWD Major and the Liaison Team. Strike Teams from Regions 1 and 6 will support Region 3 under the direction of TPWD Major who will be in coordination with local EOC and SOC. These teams will travel Sunday to stage at Bob Sandlin Region 8 Boat Barn. TPWD Major will furnish regions with directions. Strike Teams from Regions 5, 7 & 9 will travel Sunday to stage at Camp Allen in Navasota. Region 2 and Region 8 strike teams will stand by in their regions for response to the Dallas/ Fort Worth Area if necessary or to respond to region 3 if needed. Total deployment will be approximately 250 Game Wardens and 125 boats.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): DFPS issued additional office closures which are being reported to staff via broadcasts. A complete listing of office closures is available on the website. Office preparation broadcast was sent to inter-coastal regions detailing procedures for protecting equipment has gone to impacted areas. Agency has begun planning for re-entry and demobilization. Contact with residential centers, kinship care, and foster families have been completed. Staff has been accounted for in evacuated areas. Statewide intake evacuation hotline is up and taking calls. DFPS is staffing the SOC.

Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): Health and Human Services offices in the following cities are closed due to Hurricane Ike: Alvin, Anahuac, Angleton, Aransas Pass, Bacliff, Bay City, Beeville, Clute, Corpus Christi, Cuero, Dickinson, Edna, Galveston, Goliad, Hallettsville, Kingsville, Lake Jackson, Mathis, Port Lavaca, Rockport, Sinton, Texas City, Victoria. HHSC has contacted all their private contractors and received an inventory of water and ice throughout the State. HHSC has contacted their Regional Disaster Coordinators and put them on standby. HHSC has a logistic staff at AARC/Nelson Wolfe San Antonio.

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): All DSHS assets, ambulances and staff, are returning from Ford Park for rest and further deployment post storm or returning home after completing their assigned missions. The Glass Center and the BCFS shelters are full. There is no capacity for dialysis treatment in Lufkin. The City of Dallas is opening a 250 bed medical special needs shelter at the Convention Center. UTMB evacuation is complete; UTMB will maintain a small contingency for emergency room services only. Specific information is posted on their website at http://www.utmb.edu/alert/. Texas City Mainland Medical Center is sheltering in place. There are 257 individuals at this location including both patients and staff. Staffing is being recruited for East Texas Baptist University to care for individuals for a medical special needs shelter. Madisonville fuel station closed and all oxygen supplies were removed from the site. The Reliant Center in Houston is currently sheltering 300 individuals with medical special needs. 5 ambulance strike teams are located at the Reliant Center. A toll free number is being set up at DSHS to assist families relocate members evacuated from hospitals or transported to medical special needs shelters.

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS): Standing by at DDC 3A to facilitate requests and assisting DSHS in monitoring MSN numbers in the region.

DIR project manager is engaged with the Texas Poison Control Network (TPCN) to ensure the Galveston Center traffic is rerouted properly today upon closure of that center. Engaged in monitoring the Galveston remote agents that will be deployed today to ensure continued operation. We are working with the CSEC TPCN team to monitor the system and make changes as necessary to keep the telephone system at top performance for all Texas TPCN centers.

Office of Attorney General (OAG): A toll-free, emergency hotline number has been established to help Hurricane Ike evacuation shelters better enforce their registered sex offender policies. Law enforcement officials manning the hotline will be able to inform shelters about whether they are housing registered sex offenders.

When shelter personnel contact the Safe Shelter Hotline at (866) 385-0333, law enforcement officials will access state databases of registered sex offenders and can inform callers whether any of the hurricane evacuees housed at the shelter are registered in the database. Callers will need to provide the names, addresses and dates of birth of evacuees in order to ensure thorough database searches. Shelter managers can use this information as necessary to coordinate specialized housing arrangements for registered sex offenders at their facilities.

The Safe Shelter Hotline is operational 24 hours a day until the end of the emergency

Texas Engineering & Extension Service/Texas Task Force One (TEEX/TX-TF1): The following Search & Rescue assets have been activated and are pre-staged at the Reliant Center in Houston and Martindale Army Airfield. ESF-9 Overhead Teams & Joint Air-Ground Coordination Team with LNOs from supporting State and Federal Agencies. TX-TF1 Type I US&R, TX-TF1 Quick Response Force, TX-TF1 Swiftwater Teams (10), TX-TF1 Helicopter Rescue Specialists (4), TX-TF2 Type III US&R Team.

A TXMF SAR ground support package of approximately 60 high profile vehicles (HPVs) and 150 personnel are co-located with the US&R Teams. Additionally, Four (4) UH-60 with TX-TF1 helicopter specialists and 4 OH-58 helicopters have been pre-staged in Edinburg. Additional TXMF UH-60s are in Austin and San Antonio prepared to assist in SAR operations. TPWD and GLO have identified 200 plus

available water rescue assets w/personnel. There are 9 FEMA US&R teams staged in Houston and we are coordinating with the FEMA IST to insure a coordinated State/Federal response. There are 4 National Guard Bureau helicopters assigned to and they are located at Ellington Field.

We are also coordinating with our Federal partners to secure SAR aviation support. There are approximately 30 additional SAR helicopters available for response in Houston, Corpus Christi, Meridian, MS, and Mobile, AL. All SAR Personnel are currently engaged in Search & Rescue Operations.

The American Red Cross (ARC): In DDC 3A, ARC is working on an agreement with Robstown Show Barn for major operations such as staging for city, county, FEMA, and ARC. Additionally, they are working with Alice, Robstown, and Corpus Christi/City ISD to have shelters on standby. Eighty-four shelters are open with an estimated population of 3,530 people. The Marble Falls Independent School District are registered Red Cross Emergency Shelters and are on standby.

2-1-1: 2-1-1 handled 23,591calls. There were 201 call specialists logged on with a total of 1367 logged-in hours. Several Gulf Coast Area Information Centers (AICs) have evacuated due to the storm. Depending on damage to call center structures, most anticipate they will be back up and running by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Callers from those impacted areas are being assisted by AICs across the state. Area Information Centers (AICs) across the state are contributing 90% - 100% of total staff and volunteers to respond to information and referral calls related to Hurricane Ike. All have extended business hours as needed. AICs will work throughout the weekend with extended hours. The Disaster Kit was deployed yesterday, adding an additional 32 phones to the system. These phones will be staffed by HHSC staff volunteers 24/7. Deployment was supported by AT&T, DIR, HHSC IT and Cisco Systems. At 10:00 a.m. today, our call volume was 4,007 and our overall service level was 42%. The five top caller needs identified for Hurricane Ike are as follows: Evacuation Transportation, Evacuation Information, Shelter Information, Road Conditions, and Animal Shelters. Texas Information & Referral Network (TRIN) staff and volunteer HHSC/OFS staff are working 24/7 with 12 hour shifts to support the Knowledge Base, the State Operations Center (SOC), the telephone system, and general operations.

Deaflink: Deaf Link's Remote Interpreter Access is operational 24/7 in building 1536 at the Kelly USA. Deaf Link continues to provide 24/7 Interpreter Access at the Kelly USA Reception Center. Deaf Link provided interpreter services for ARCC Media/Press. All alerts and emergency information from State, County and their agencies are being processed by the Accessible Hazard Alert System - Individual Notification (AHAS-IN) for media broadcast and individual dissemination to persons with disabilities.

United Way: The number to contact for anyone needing transportation assistance for city of Corpus Christi is (361) 826-1100. The number to contact for anyone needing transportation assistance for rural Nueces County are directed to call (361) 887-2222.

Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD): The American Red Cross (ARC), Salvation Army (SA), and Texas Baptist Men (TBM) are coordinating efforts and assets to respond as needed. Texas is activating the Statewide Shelter plan. Local jurisdictions are asked to seek public assistance for donations and food stuffs for VOAD organizations.

PLAQUEMINES PARISH CALLS FOR VOLUNTARY EVACUATION

Belle Chasse, LA – Due to the threat of high winds and tidal surge from Hurricane Ike, Plaquemines Parish is calling for a voluntary evacuation this afternoon , especially for residents in FEMA trailers.

With all of coastal Louisiana under a Tropical Storm warning…there could be wind gusts this evening of up to 40 to 50 miles per hour. It is not safe for residents in FEMA trailers to stay in those structures with the anticipated Tropical Storm conditions. There are over 900 FEMA trailers still in Plaquemines Parish- with a number of families still occupying those trailers. The parish is opening the Belle Chasse Auditorium as a shelter for any residents who do not feel safe in their homes or trailers beginning at 4pm this afternoon. The auditorium is located at 8398 Highway 23 in Belle Chasse. Only Plaquemines Parish residents will be allowed in the shelter due to space constraints. The shelter can house approximately 200 people, but if there are more Plaquemines evacuees – other shelter locations will be opened.

If you need transportation to the shelter- please call:

504-297-5600.

It’s expected that the shelter will remain open for tonight only. However, the situation will be reassessed tomorrow based on weather conditions.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING TO The SHELTER:

Identificiation

Medications

Important documents

Personal items, such as a change of clothing, &personal hygiene items.

Pillows & blankets

Anything that your children might need to keep them occupied and calm-like books, games and puzzles.

If you leave your home- a reminder, turn off all your utilities, breaker boxes, gas, water, computers- do all you normally do to secure your home in the event of evacuations.

If you are evacuating from a FEMA trailer-make sure to turn off the propane gas.

The parish will provide cots.

Sheriff Jiff Hingle says that deputies will begin double shifts this afternoon to assist with the evacuation.

OTHER STORM PRECAUTIONS INCLUDE:

Debris crews are working to remove debris from along roadways as quickly as possible today. Residents are asked not to put anymore debris out today.The Empire Flood Gate has been CLOSED—

Crews will be sandbagging the road by the Venice Jump after 4pm this afternoon in anticipation of potential high water…

Crews continue to work to build up and strengthen levees on the East Bank and West Bank…some 3,000 sandbags are being put in place and crews are expected to work throughout the day.

Today, Thursday, September 11, 2008, Jefferson Parish has declared a State of Emergency due to Hurricane Ike.

As a precautionary measure, Jefferson Parish is calling for an evacuation of the coastal areas of the Parish only. Due to the weather which may be generated by Hurricane Ike, the following evacuations have been called:

MANDATORY EVACUATION

A mandatory evacuation for Grand Isle will begin at 10 a.m. today, Thursday, September 11, 2008.

VOLUNTARY EVACUATION

A voluntary evacuation of Jean Lafitte, Crown Point, Barataria and areas outside of the levee protection system will begin today at noon, Thursday, September 11, 2008.
For residents needing assistance to evacuate Jean Lafitte, Crown Point, Barataria and areas outside of the levee protection system, a bus will be available at Jean Lafitte Town Hall, 2654 Jean Lafitte Boulevard, at noon today.

For those residents who need to evacuate, Jefferson Parish will open the PARD Playground located at 5185 Eighty Arpent Road in Marrero and the Larose Civic Center in Lafourche Parish as a shelter at noon today.

Jefferson Parish encourages all residents to monitor the storm drains near their homes and businesses and remove all debris.

The West Jefferson Levee District has closed some of the westbank floodgates and are monitoring others. As of 4:30 p.m. today, September 11, 2008 the West Jefferson Levee District has taken the following actions:

- Company Canal Barge Gate - Closed

- Highway 45 floogate - Closed

- Harvey Canal floodgate - Open (Corps is on site and will close as tide approaches +2.0 feet )

Harris County

Date: Sep 11 2008 3:52PM Release: Immediate City of Houston 311 Answers Calls for Houstonians Needing Transportation Assistance
The City of Houston 311 center has received over 1,300 calls since 6 a.m. from people requesting assistance and information regarding evacuation from Hurricane Ike. Currently, the request for evacuations is limited to a small number of Zip codes in low-lying areas in east Houston and east Harris County. Officials of the 311 department are asking if you do not live in one of the zip codes that are in the evacuation area, then please refrain from your calls. Operators need to place the highest priority on those who live in the zip codes that will be most affected by the storm.

09.11.2008 - 12:00N Shoreacres [pop 1,700]

Due to changes in the track of Hurricane Ike and the expected storm surge of up to 15 ft. in some areas, Harris County, City of Houston and Shoreacres officials are calling for the evacuation of citizens residing in Zones A & B of the evacuation plan.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett has called for a mandatory evacuation for residents living in zip codes 77586 (Zone A), 77058, 77059, 77062, 77520, 77546, 77571, 77598 (Zone B) beginning at noon today.

Shoreacres Mayor Jayo Washington has called for a mandatory evacuation for all residents living in Shoreacres.

The routes identified for emergency evacuation by the state are Interstate 10 West to San Antonio, Interstate 45 North to Dallas, Interstate 59 North to Nacogdoches and Highway 290 West to Austin or Waco. The Texas Department of Public Safety will stage contraflow in coordination with local plans when needed. Refueling stations will be placed along the routes.

The nearest evacuation shelters can be found in Huntsville and Lufkin. There are no shelters in the immediate area.

Mandatory Evacuation

The City of Sweeny will evacuate people on school buses from the Sweeny Community Center (205 W. Ashley Wilson Road) today from 8am through 1pm tonight. If you need transportation assistance, please call 979-548-3320. From Sweeny, residents will be transported to West Columbia where they will be put on charter buses and transported to Belton, Texas. However, as the shelter in Belton reaches capacity, residents may be transported elsewhere.

This is a message from the City of Taylor Lake Village Office of Emergency Management:

Residents of the City of Taylor Lake Village are advised that a mandatory evacuation will be in effect at 12 noon today, Thursday September 11.

When Hurricane Ike makes landfall near or just south of us as a category 3 or more, National Weather Service predicts a storm surge of as much as 17-20 feet above MSL with sustained winds of over 100 mph. Taylor Lake Village streets have a base flood elevation of 11.5 feet above MSL and most homes sit at approximately 14 feet above MSL. It is the City’s recommendation that you secure your homes, pack your evacuation kit and leave before the evacuation becomes mandatory at 12 noon today.

Tomball is in the target zone for Hurricane Ike; therefore no shelters will be open in the City of Tomball.

Only mobile home residents are encouraged to evacuate. The closest shelter is at the rest stop twelve (12) miles South of Huntsville at mile marker 101-1/2 on Click map for Local NWS radarsInterstate 45. Call the Harris County Office of Emergency Management at 713-881-3100 for additional information or assistance.

State supported evacuation routes are Highway 290 and Interstate 45.

All pets and outdoor items need to be secured. Items on hand should include water, non-perishable food, batteries, flashlights, battery operated radio, first aid kit, and necessary medications.

City of Wharton Public Notice - Hurricane Ike

Wharton County is hereby under voluntary evacuations for flood prone areas and people residing in mobile homes. Shelters are available in San Antonio and Austin for people that reside in flood prone areas and mobile homes. If you need transportation to the Shelters, please contact (979) 532-0479 by 2:00 p.m. today.

Hurricane Ike is currently predicted to make landfall on Saturday, September 13, 2008 in early morning; however, the tropical force winds will reach the Texas Coastal areas Friday morning. Hurricane force winds of 100-115 mph will reach the coastal areas Friday night.

Due to the hurricane force winds, electricity could possibly be out for an extended period. Please make preparations.

Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:45 a.m.

Last Update 9/11/08 10:50 a.m.

No Shelter Available in Pearland

The City of Huntsville has a public shelter available until it is full. After they have reached full capacity, new evacuees will be directed further north. Those who wish to evacuate should go to the Evacuee Reception Center in Huntsville TX.

Directions are: Take Interstate 45 North from Pearland; exit Interstate 45 at or about mile marker number 101 (also has a truck weigh station sign), & follow the signs to the Evacuee Reception Center in Huntsville TX .

Evacuees should bring medications, blankets, pillows - cots will be available.

Pets are allowed in a carrier. Bring pet supplies including a leashes, food, & medication.

Be aware - once this shelter is full, travelers will be directed to travel further north in search of a shelter - detailed information on shelters in other Texas locations is not available at this time.

This is some additional information on shelters. These are evacuation reception centers, not shelters. The centers will direct the evacuees to the nearest shelter.

Bryan-College Station ,Veterans Park, 3101 Harvey Rd, Located on Hwy 30
Mesquite, TEEX Facility, 15515 Interstate 20, at Lawson Rd off I20
San Antonio, Port of San Antonio, Duncan & Cricket, Refer to directional signs
Austin, Austin-Bergstrom Airport, Refer to directional signs

Q. What is the difference between voluntary and mandatory evacuation?

A. In a mandatory evacuation there is no guarantee of city services or emergency services until it is safe to resume normal operations.

Lake Jackson [pop 27,000]

9/11/08
The eye of Hurricane Ike is expected to pass directly over Lake Jackson late Friday, early Saturday. We expect winds in excess of 60 mph for almost 24 hours and hurricane winds for a period of 12 – 14 hours. We expect Tropical Force Winds of 40 mph beginning 1:00 PM Friday. You need to be on the road well before this time.

The highest winds are expected to be 120 mph. This is a very dangerous situation. All residents are urged to leave the city immediately. Evacuation of Individuals with Special Needs and those needing a ride will end at 6:00 PM. today.

Damage to the city could be extensive.

League City [pop 68,000 – 55 square miles]

Just 20 miles south east of Houston in northern Galveston County and the southernmost part of Harris County. The city is situated on the south shore of Clear Lake and directly on Interstate Highway 45 (Gulf Freeway).

Hurricane Ike Update: Due to the approach of Hurricane Ike, The City of League City is suggesting voluntary evacuations for all citizens. At this time city staff is taking every precaution possible to ensure the safety of citizens and employees. In doing so, the City has canceled all City-sponsored activities, events and classes from Thursday, September 11th at noon through Sunday, September 14th. City Hall, all city parks, the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center, the city pool, The Senior Citizen Program and the Helen Hall Library will be closed Thursday, September 11th at noon through Sunday, September 14th. Winds may delay emergency responders and responders will cease activities when winds reach 39mp sustained. Also extended power outages are likely.

Manvel [pop 7,160]

Hurricane Ike - Evacuation Notices

UPDATE: 9:30 AM September 11, 2008 - This is to confirm that the City of Manvel IS under a mandatory evacuation.

Due to Hurricane Ike approaching, Mayor Delores Martin is calling for:

* Voluntary evacuation beginning NOW (Wednesday, September 10 at 6:30 pm)

* Special Needs people will begin their evacuation tonight at 8:00 pm to the HUB in Alvin. If further assistance is needed, you will be contacted by the EMS.

* MANDATORY EVACUATION WILL BEGIN TOMORROW AT 8:00 am.

This is a serious storm. Please take all precautions for you and your family.

City of LaPorte [pop. 33,000 –25 miles to the East of Houston]

Mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the City of La Porte.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for all special populations
The Pasadena Convention Center evacuation hub has been activated.
Texas military forces have been requested to assist in evacuations
Charter busses have been requested for evacuations
LPISD has offered busses and facilities to the city
EMS and Senior Services are currently evacuating special populations

City of Clear Lake Shores [The population as of the 2005 estimates is 1,443 people. CLS is about 2 miles in circumference and/or 0.5 sq miles]

Thursday, September 11, 2008

MANDATORY EVACUATION FROM NOON UNTIL 6 A.M. FRIDAY

City of Dickinson [pop. 18,000]

Dickinson is located on Interstate 45 and Dickinson Bayou, between Houston & Galveston, 20 minutes from the beach. Clear Lake Resort Area, Galveston Bay, the Johnson Space Center (NASA), as well as three major shopping malls are all within 10 miles.

09-11-2008 9:00 a.m.

The Mayor has issued a curfew order for the City of Dickinson beginning at 5:00pm on Friday September 12, 2008. The curfew will remain in effect until the danger of Hurricane Ike passes.

09-11-2008 7:00 a.m.

Mayor Julie Masters has called for a Mandatory Evacuation of the low lying areas of Dickinson. This includes Tropical Gardens, the County Club area, Bayou Chantilly, and any residences fronting Dickinson Bayou. Storm surge of up to 10 feet have been forecast.

All residents should make preparations for the storm by removing loose items from their yard, such as garbage cans and lawn furniture. Tropical force winds can be expected in the area by Friday morning. Citizens are urged to stay off the streets during the storm and shelter in an interior area of their residence way from from windows.

Once the storm has passed please use extreme caution when leaving your residence. Downed power line may still be live and could be potentially life threatening.

Friendswood [pop 34,000+]

Friendswood School Closings

Posted: 09/10/2008 10:07 PM

Friendswood School Closings due to Hurricane Ike:

Friendswood ISD is closed on Thursday and Friday (September 11 and 12).

Clear Creek ISD is closed on Thursday and Friday (September 11 and 12).

Thursday, September 11, 2008. 8:15 a.m.

A message from the Friendswood Office of Emergency Management.

As a result of the projected path of Hurricane Ike, the City of Friendswood has not called for a mandatory evacuation at this time. However, voluntary evacuation is appropriate.

Those in flood prone areas should seek higher ground.

Thursday, September 11, 2008 - 11:45 a.m.

Update from the Friendswood Office of Emergency Management:

Hurricane Ike’s tropical force winds are still projected to make landfall somewhere near the central Texas coastline on Friday.

Mandatory evacuations are NOT being ordered in Friendswood at this time. However, a voluntary evacuation order has been given in Friendswood, and Friendswood residents who are planning to leave the area should do so as soon as possible.

Residents of low lying areas are encouraged to monitor creek levels and seek higher ground if necessary. There is also the potential for loss of electrical power in Friendswood.

Friendswood residents should prepare to remain in their homes beginning Friday morning through at least a 24 hour period. Residents should also begin preparing their homes in advance of Ike's landfall. Specifically, any loose outdoor items that could become flying debris in a high wind event (i.e. lawn furniture, TV Antennas, etc.) should be stowed away.

As a result of the projected storm, Friendswood City Hall will be closed on Friday, September 12.

Friendswood residents are asked to NOT put trash on the curb for garbage pick-up on Friday or Saturday.

The City of Friendswood Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor Hurricane Ike and provide updates as needed..

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE CITY OF BAYTOWN. Harris County Judge Emmett has issued a mandatory evacuation for zip code 7 7 5 2 0, to begin at noon Thursday, September 11. The City recommends citizens in low-lying areas and who live in mobile homes and trailers should evacuate today. Citizens that can self evacuate should use Interstate 45 North and travel to Dallas. If you need transportation assistance you can go to the San Jacinto Mall this afternoon for a bus ride to the George R. Brown evacuation hub. Should you be unable to drive to the Mall, report to a local junior school and transportation to the Mall will be provided. You can contact Baytown OEM at 281.420.5311

Angleton TX. Population – 19,000. Located 30 miles from Houston and 12 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. UPDATED 9/11/08 11:20 AM

MANDATORY evacuation was called for Angleton beginning at 8:00 am today, Thursday, Sept. 11 for all of Angleton. Hurricane Ike has taken a northern turn
towards Freeport and is expected to make landfall as a Cat. 3 hurricane in Brazoria
County.

If you stay, there will be NO city services available including police, fire and EMS.
There will be NO shelters in Angleton.

Re-entry to the city will be determined after damage assessments are completed and services restored to a level to support general public needs. The city is anticipating power outages, downed trees and possible loss of water and wastewater services, in addition to widespread flooding.

The city has issued a dusk to dawn curfew beginning tonight, Sept. 11 at dusk.

Harris County's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, in coordination with emergency management partners, has established a call center for residents to call with standared preparedness questions in advance of Hurricane Ike. The call center is open until further notice. RESIDENTS WITH STANDARD PREPAREDNESS QUESTIONS SHOULD CALL 713-368-2741 (Spanish speaking phone bank operators are available)

September 11, 2008; Wharton County Emergency Management

Wharton County is facing a major hurricane making landfall just north of Matagorda early Saturday morning. Wharton County could experience tropical storm force winds (+40 mph) beginning as early as 1 pm Friday and lasting up to 36 hours, with hurricane force winds (+74 mph) early Saturday morning. Very heavy rainfall will accompany the storm, with potential rainfall totals of 8-12" on Friday and Saturday. The confidence in the hurricane striking somewhere between Matagorda and Galveston is high.

We encourage Wharton County citizens to evacuate if they live in a mobile home, RV or a flood prone area effective immediately.

Ike continues to threaten the Wharton County area. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS STORM! The current forecast calls for Wharton County to experience 75-100 mph sustained winds for a 6-8 hour period. This will cause extensive damage, especially to the power grid in the county. If the storm stays as forecast you can expect massive power outages as well as very long wait times, perhaps in excess of two weeks, for the restoration of power. Also, during the period of high winds, Fire, Police and EMS will be unable to respond to calls, and blocked roads may hinder response after the storm has passed through the area.

If you plan to stay in Wharton County, plan to be 100% self sufficient for a period of no less than 3 days.

NEMRC Update - TX - Harris County evacuations - including special needs evacs

Due to changes in the track of Hurricane Ike and the expected storm surge of up to 15 ft. in some areas, Harris County and City of Houston officials are calling for the evacuation of citizens residing in Zones A & B of the evacuation plan. A mandatory evacuation has been called for noon today for residents living in zip codes 77586 (Zone A), 77058, 77059, 77062, 77520, 77546, 77571, 77598 (Zone B).

Harris County will begin evacuating citizens with special needs that registered with 2-1-1 as soon as possible. Those not registered should call 3-1-1 immediately if they need help evacuating.

In order to minimize traffic of highways, emergency officials recommend that major employees allow non-essential personnel to not report to work on Friday. However, service providers such as grocery stores, restaurants and service stations are encouraged to remain open to serve the public.

Those who have registered already with the state’s 2-1-1 system can expect to be picked up and transported to one of the transportation staging areas for evacuation. Any other special needs persons who need help evacuating need to call 3-1-1.

WHEREAS, by Proclamation issued September 10th, 2008, the County Judge declared a state of disaster for Chambers County, Texas resulting From THE THREAT OF HURRICANE IKE Mandatory evacuation at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 11t\ 2008 includes: all low lying areas including the communities of Smith Point, Oak Island and all areas south of 1985, Cedar Point, and Walker subdivision. Citizens should also consider evacuating if they live in lowlying areas subject to flooding or in unanchored mobile homes or RV's. Mandatory evacuation is hereby issued for the general population of Chambers County at noon, Thursday, September 11th, 2008. ORDERED THIS THE 11th day of September, 2008

VOLUNTARY EVACUATION ORDERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR MANY COASTAL COMMUNITIES. THE CITY OF GALVESTON IS CALLING FOR A MANDATORY EVACUATION AT 9:30AM. HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAVE ORDERED A MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR THE FOLLOWING ZIP CODES: 77058, 77059, 77062, 77520, 77546, 77571, 77586, and 77598.

Current Mandatory Evacuations
City of Galveston
City of Jamaica Beach
City of Tiki Island
City of Bayou Vista
Bolivar Peninsula
San Leon
Bacliff
Freddiesville
Omega Bay

11 Sep 08 09h48 NEMRC Update - TX - Ike - Galveston County update

The weather forecast as of early Thursday morning has shifted Hurricane Ike's landfall a little more to the east, bringing the storm a little closer to Galveston County. Galveston County offices will be closed beginning at 10:00 today through Friday.

A mandatory evacation will begin at 7:00 am for the following areas: West Galveston Island, Jamaica Beach, Bolivar Peninsula, Omega Bay, San Leon, Bacliff and Freddiesville. Tiki Island began a mandatory evacuation this morning at 5:30 am.

Pick up points for special needs in these areas will be Dickinson Community Center, Bacliff Community Center, Hitchcock Library and Crystal Beach Annex. The last bus will be rolling out of the Doyle Center at 5:00 pm today.

Voluntary evacuations should be considered for low-lying areas in Dickinson, Kemah and Clear Lake Shores and La Marque. Citizens should also consider evacuating if they live in areas subject to flooding or in mobile homes. If you should decide to evacuate, please remember to pack your disaster kit and important papers.

Hurricane Ike continues to be a difficult storm to track because of the number of shifts in the forecast models. Given the current track, we are preparing for the possibility of tropical storm force winds beginning sometime Friday morning and possible hurricane force winds affecting the county Friday evening around dusk.

The anticipated storm surge is between 12-16 along the beach front and between 12-20 feet in Galveston Bay at the height of the storm, but higher tides could begin as early as Thursday night.

The Galveston-Bolivar Ferry will cease operations at 11:00 PM on Thursday night. The Bolivar SUD has indicated they will cease water service to the Peninsula at 5:00 pm on Thursday.

We have received notification of the following school closures: High Island ISD - Thursday and Friday; Galveston ISD - midday on Thursday and Friday; Dickinson ISD - midday on Thursday and Friday; Texas City ISD - Friday; La Marque ISD - Friday; Clear Creek ISD - Thursday and Friday; Hitchcock ISD - Thursday and Friday; Santa Fe ISD - Thursday and Friday; Friendswood ISD - Thursday and Friday.

Citizens of Galveston County should pay close attention to the news media throughout the day for the most current information. We are continuing to work with our local jurisdiction partners, the National Weather Service and the Governor's Division of Emergency Management.

Now is a crucial time to activate your family plans if you have not already done so. Please keep your gas tanks full. Take steps to protect your property from the wind by storing any patio furniture and loose items inside. Stock up on non-perishable food and water. You should have enough to last at least 3 days.

Texas: Ike update - SitRep 4 [Sep 11 Austin]--CURRENT PRIORITIES: a. Prepare for the strike of IKE somewhere along the Texas coast from Port Mansfield to Louisiana Border on or about Saturday, September 13th. Time: On or about 3:00 a.m.
b. Deploy the state SAR force.
c. Conduct orderly and safe evacuations of special needs citizens.
d. Verify and confirm with evacuating jurisdictions the number of Medical Special Needs (MSN) citizens that require assistance with evacuation.
d. Complete activation of the statewide shelter network.

CURRENT SITUATION: After a long interaction with the mountains of Cuba, Hurricane Ike has entered the Gulf of Mexico and has begun regaining its strength. It is now a category 2 hurricane. The official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center has Ike making landfall early Saturday morning just north of Corpus Christi at Matagorda Island. However, there is a slight weakness between the subtropical ridge and the ridge over Mexico that may allow Ike to slip more towards the right side of the “cone of uncertainty”. Although forecasts vary when it comes to strength at landfall, most models indicate the likely scenario will be a category 3 (111-130 mph).

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS: (Current)
a. Based on Lessons Learned from Gustav there will be a higher number of MSN evacuees than currently estimated.
b. Evacuation of Special Needs Citizens to begin on or about Wednesday, September 10th. To be completed no later than Thursday, September 11th.
c. Statewide Shelter Network activation complete on or about Wednesday, September 10th.
d. Statewide Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Organizations will require state and private sector assistance to optimize capability.
f. Hurricane Ike strikes the Texas Coast as a Category 4/5 Hurricane

Alamo Area Regional Command (AARC): The AARC is preparing for a massive number of evacuees into San Antonio starting today from the coastal communities. Currently 1,350 commercial buses have been contracted to come to San Antonio; 1,138 commercial buses have arrived; 499 drivers are ready to deploy; 65 school buses and 27 wheelchair vans are ready for deployment. Medical and special needs evacuations will begin today. Metro Health, EMS, University Health System, Baptist Child and Family Services, American Red Cross and the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services are on standby to receive evacuees at Port San Antonio.
Evacuees can call (210) 207-6400 for information on shelters. This is the City of San Antonio’s call center for local information; also known as “311”. AARC will be providing basic sheltering. The AARC recommends evacuees bring medications, blankets, pillows and toiletries. There is also a shelter for pets.

Public Utilities Commission (PUC): The PUC made contact with representatives from American Electric Power (AEP), CenterPoint Energy, and the South Texas Project (STP) nuclear facility regarding storm preparations. PUC received a request from the Corpus Christi DDC for an AEP representative to report to the DDC today. AEP will be making contact with the DDC and will try to have a representative there soon. The PUC will continue to remain in contact with all utilities in the potentially impacted areas.

Texas Forest Service (TFS): The Lone Star State Type II Incident Management Team (LSSIMT) and five Type III local government teams led by TFS personnel have been requested by the GDGEM. The Type III teams will report to College Station today and mobilize to the Alamo Regional Command Center

in San Antonio on Thursday. Incident command personnel are currently determining if Victoria is the most strategic location for approximately 40 members of the LSSIMT that will need to respond immediately after landfall. An additional 30 members of the Lone Star State IMT have reopened the Lufkin RSA and continue to receive dozens of truckloads with commodities such as ice, sleeping cots, water, heater meals, and other essential items. These commodities are being used to supply evacuation centers throughout the state.

• The Georgia State Forestry Commission Type II Incident Management Team has been requested to report to College Station Thursday to assist the Lone Star State IMT with potential RSA and POD operations.

• State Operations Center Support – One TFS person is assisting as a FEMA liaison and another as a liaison to the private sector, coordinating commodities distribution through the RSA’s. Two TFS GIS Specialists are assisting with mapping needs for the state. An additional TFS employee is serving as the TFS ESF-4 liaison.

• Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Support – The TFS EOC is coordinating with TIFMAS to provide 12 ambulances and 61 EMT/Paramedics to assist the Department of State Health Services with patient evacuations.

• ESF-9 Search and Rescue Support – Eight TFS employees are assisting with aviation and logistical support to Texas Taskforce I in San Antonio.

• Corpus Christi DDC - Two TFS employees are assisting with situation assessment and resource tracking.

• McAllen DDC – Two TFS employees are assisting with situation assessment and resource tracking.

• Victoria DDC - One TFS employee is assisting with situation assessment and resource tracking.

• San Antonio DDC Support – One TFS employee is assisting with situation assessment and resource tracking.

• Hardin County EOC – One TFS employee is assisting with situation assessment and resource tracking.

• Livingston EOC Support – Three TFS employees are providing situation assessment and resource tracking for Polk County.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): DPS has deployed 100 troopers and 8 sergeants to Beeville to assist with the escorting of buses to Corpus Christi, Victoria, Matagorda, and Brazoria. One Captain and 1 Lieutenant have been deployed to the DDC in Corpus Christi. One additional Captain has been deployed to the ARCC in San Antonio to work with Texas Task Force Ike. One additional Lieutenant has been deployed to the DDC in Victoria. Two hundred additional troopers are being staged in Austin for rapid deployment.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ): Due to the threat of Hurricane Ike, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is in the process of evacuating offenders from some of the units that could be affected. Currently 6 buses and 1 van have left the Stevenson Unit en-route to the Connally Unit. TDCJ Office of the Inspector General Investigators will be staged along the route.

• Moved 12 Dialysis female patients from Carol Young Unit to Estelle Unit

• Currently transferring 1336 offenders from Stevenson Unit to McConnell and Connally Units

• Currently transferring 597 offenders from Glossbrenner Unit to Briscoe Unit
Chase Field providing support to DPS and Naval Personnel Planning Update:

• Developing the plan for evacuation of High Risk Parolees from the central Texas coast. Evacuation expected to begin today 9/10/08.

• Contingency plans for possible move of approximately 4,215 TDCJ offenders from metal building facilities in Beeville are also being made

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD): Region 10 Corpus Christi has made all preparation for Hurricane Ike. 65 Game wardens in the region are activated with 30 boats fueled and prepared for Hurricane Ike. All assets including fuel trailers and communications trailers are in safe locations prepared to respond for SAR.

• Region 4 Houston is prepared to respond for Hurricane Ike. Personnel include 55 Game Wardens with 27 boats/trailers.

• Region 5 San Antonio is prepared to respond for Hurricane Ike. Personnel include 55 Game Wardens with 25 boats/fuel trailers.

• A strike team is assembled and will deploy to Game Warden Choke Canyon camp house no later than 11:00 AM on Thursday Sept.11th in response to Hurricane Ike.
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS): DARS service delivery staff are on call in the event a request for deaf interpreter services is made. Contractors in the following cities have been placed on standby: Austin, Dallas, Houston and Beaumont

Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT): TxDOT has activated comfort stations along evacuation routes from the coast. Evacuation lanes (Evaculanes) have been activated on IH 37, opening the shoulder of the road as a travel lane. TxDOT operators are staffing the Road Condition and Travel Information line, starting 24-hour operations as call volume increases. Crews are preparing for re-entry operations. Dynamic Message Signs are displaying a fuel message encouraging the public to fill their tanks.

General Land Office (GLO): All agency coastal response resources have been relocated inland to pre-designated staging areas. Two agency personnel are supporting TTF-1 USAR planning effort at Reliant. State Veteran's Homes in McAllen and Floresville have activated their emergency operations plans. Bed availability is being reported to the DADS Five System.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): DFPS has issued instructions for offices and personnel in the vulnerable areas to protect agency assets as instructed. Communication protocols have been initiated to stay in contact with staff and clients.

• DFPS Regions 6, 8, and 11 teams are on stand-by to provide support to special needs shelter.

• The DFPS Evacuation Hotline and survey was activated 9-9-08 at 12 pm and monitored by CPS Staff.

• The Hurricane section of the DFPS public website (http://www.dfps.state.tx.us) is updated. The section includes information for DFPS clients and staff. Information will include contact information for clients. In addition protocols for staff to stay in contact with the agency will be included.

• DFPS has sent out formal communications to Foster Families and residential facilities. Individual contact with foster families includes advising them to follow their evacuation plans and notifying DFPS when they arrive at their destination.
Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): HHSC has contacted all of their private contractors and received an inventory of water and ice throughout the State. HHSC has contacted their Regional Disaster Coordinators and put them on standby. HHSC has 2 logistic staff in route to RSA Beeville and AARC San Antonio.
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): 80 ambulances and 62 medical special needs deployed to Beeville. There have been no additional requests for medical special needs evacuations for Corpus Christi. DSHS In DDC 3A, DSHS has been making contact with counties in the region to obtain numbers of MSN individuals.

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS): Standing by at DDC 3A to facilitate requests and assisting DSHS in monitoring MSN numbers in the region.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): The TCEQ Emergency Response Strike Team preparing for deployment to San Antonio on Thursday. Regional Office state assets have been secured. Monitoring critical infrastructure status.
Railroad Commission (RRC): SOC Team is active. Potentially affected District Offices have been notified of the upcoming event.

Department of Information Resources (DIR): At the request of ARCC Logistics:
• Chargers & splitters for the Nokia 6085H have been ordered.
• DIR ordered a total of 1,066 each and 3 digital multimeters.
• 532 of each plus the 3 digital multimeters will be hand-delivered by Centex Solutions, Inc. this morning to Building 1537 at the Port of San Antonio.
• The rest of the order will be delivered in the next 2 days.

Public Works Response Team (PWRT): PWRT staffed in the SOC, additional resources have been requested. Three PWRT Resource teams (San Antonio Water Systems, Plano and Lufkin) are scheduled to stage in San Antonio on Thursday to support Texas Task Force Ike, PWRT Assessment team also scheduled to stage. This totals 65 personnel, 31 vehicles and myriad trailers, pumps, backhoe, and other equipment for dewatering and water/wastewater systems repair. Additional resource team from McAllen potentially available pending final storm track. Additional PWRT assessment teams being recruited.

Office of Attorney General (OAG): The Office of the Attorney General is preparing to open a command post to dispatch investigators to affected area to investigate consumer-related price-gouging complaints. Consumer complaints can be made toll free to 1-800-252-8011, or at the OAG website. The website can be accessed two ways, at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov or www.oag.state.tx.us. The OAG has commissioned peace officers available in Austin, Houston and Ft. Worth available for law enforcement related needs.

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC): Personnel from TAHC, along with the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Veterinary Service (USDA-APHIS-VS), are standing by to assist as needed for Hurricane Ike response operations. Field personnel are beginning to staff the various disaster district committees (DDCs), as needed, and a representative is now staffing the State Operations Center (SOC). The TAHC Area Command will be activated at the TAHC Central Office, tomorrow morning. The executive director of the Texas State Animal Resource Team (TXSART) is supporting TAHC by coordinating with the member organizations on its Advisory Council, as well as with other animal care agencies, to prepare for animal sheltering in the hosting areas and for eventual reentry operations into the impacted areas.

Texas Education Agency (TEA): The Texas Education Agency stands ready to assist school districts that may be impacted by Hurricane Ike. A number of school districts in the direct impact area are closing on Thursday and Friday as are their Regional Education Service Centers (ESCs). A full list of closings can be found on the TEA home page (http://www.tea.state.tx.us). The Commissioner of Education will issue waivers for missed instructional days. Districts should download the waiver applications from the Hurricane Information section located on the Agency's home page. A number of school buses are in route to Kelly USA. More buses are available; however, there is a shortage of certified bus drivers. The Agency is working with the ESCs to locate more buses and drivers.

Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA): State vehicles and associated equipment on the coast is being moved to a secure location as far inland as possible. Offices on the coast are being secured and computers and other valuable equipment are being safeguarded in preparation for the storm.

• All TDA Regional Offices across the State are preparing vehicles in case they are needed for delivery of materials to areas impacted by the storm.

• TDA is on stand-by to release food commodities when requested.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service (ALEXT): Texas AgriLife Extension Service agents across the Gulf Coast region and inland evacuation hubs have been activated as follows: 2 Extension specialist at the Texas 4-H Center at Lake Brownwood for housing of 30 Texas Youth Commission employees who have evacuated Gulf Coast facilities to their Brownwood facility; 60 Extension agents to support GDEM with public information and education regarding pre storm preparedness and State evacuation and sheltering plans; 25 Extension agents to support animal care and sheltering across sheltering hub counties; 32 Extension agents to assess pre-storm crop harvest, yield, and conditions to create a benchmark for post hurricane damage assessments; 10 Extension specialists to prepare for liaison services at the SOC. Public household and farmstead mitigation and recovery information are available at http://texashelp.tamu.edu <http://texashelp.tamu.edu/> .

Texas Procurement & Support Services (TPASS): TPASS continues to coordinate bus transport assets from state contracted bus operators. TPASS is also in contact with contingency contract holders to ensure delivery of goods/services.

Sun Coast Resources: Sun Coast Resources continues to provide fuel support for San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Lufkin, Beeville, Tully and Angleton.

Resources Staging Area (RSA) the RSAs in Lufkin and San Antonio are prepared for response to Hurricane Ike and are also supporting host shelter operations.

Texas Military Forces (TXMF): The TXMF has 10 UH-60 helicopters located in San Antonio and Kingsville. Five OH-58 helicopters are located in San Antonio. TXMF has 5 C130 aircraft located in Corpus Christi. Several high profile vehicles and various personnel stationed throughout the anticipated impact areas.

Texas Engineering & Extension Service/Texas Task Force One (TEEX/TX-TF1): Joint Air-Ground Coordination Team with LNO; ESF-9 Overhead Team; TX-TF1Type ! US&R Team; TX-TF2 Type III US&R; TX-TF1 Swiftwater Teams and EMAC Swiftwater Teams on stand-by in Houston. Quick Response Force; TX-TF1 Swiftwater Teams and EMAC Swiftwater Teams are on stand-by in San Antonio. TX-TF1 Helicopter Rescue Specialists are on stand-by in Austin.

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC): TWC is standing by for post-event activation. TWC is staffing the SOC and is available to respond to questions, coordinate communications, convey requests and reports as received. TWC is now coordinating post-event activities to ensure employment and unemployment services are provided, working with Local Workforce Development Boards in response locations.

• The Coastal Bend Board and Workforce Center Offices and preparing for strike and plan to close offices Thursday and Friday. The board serves Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio counties.

• TWC UI call centers are preparing for additional call volume.

• TWC is working with local workforce board management to authorize staff’s early reentry into impacted areas to serve as essential disaster recovery personnel in the Hurricane Ike’s aftermath.

United States Border Patrol (USBP): In DDC 3A, the USBP is standing by to assist with law enforcement support for contra-flow, if implemented.

The American Red Cross (ARC): In DDC 3A, ARC is working on an agreement with Robstown Show Barn for major operations such as staging for city, county, FEMA, and ARC. Additionally, they are working with Alice, Robstown, and Corpus Christi/City ISD to have shelters on standby.

2-1-1: Calls taken thus far: 3190 disaster related calls since midnight, Monday, 9.8.08. Overall, 10,487 calls have been handled; this number reflects additional disaster related calls and general information. Top caller needs: Transportation Assistance Registry, evacuation information, shelter hub information and Bus Embarkation Points. Unmet Needs: shelter hub information and Bus Embarkation Points

Deaflink: Deaf Link's Remote Interpreter Access Services have been deployed for installation at the Alamo Regional Command Center in San Antonio. Deaf Link is on standby notice for Shelter Link installations where needed. Deaf Link has staff on location at the Alamo Regional Command Center in San Antonio and at the SOC in Austin. Information regarding evacuations and fuel alerts from TXDOT are being made accessible and disseminated through the Accessible Hazard Alert System - Individual Notification (AHAS-IN) for Texans with Disabilities.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA Region 6 RRCC remains at Level 1 with all ESFs activated. Federal resources are anticipated to be staged by Thursday night in order to support the State of Texas in post-land fall response. FEMA Region 6 is also participating in working out the challenges of air evacuation for this storm.

State Fuel Coordination Team: Is moving to evacuation areas.

Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD): The American Red Cross (ARC), Salvation Army (SA), and Texas Baptist Men (TBM) are coordinating efforts and assets to respond as needed. Texas is activating the Statewide Shelter plan. Local jurisdictions are asked to seek public assistance for donations and food stuffs for VOAD organizations.

DDC 3A Corpus Christi: The DDC has been in contact with local jurisdictions for their Medical Special Needs numbers for Aransas Pass, Ingleside and Portland. TXDOT has begun to move traffic from the 3rd lane on US 37 for preparation of evacuations as early as Wednesday morning. The Coastal Bend MACC has requested that the Live Oak County communications trailer be sent to Chase Field to support the initial staging area for the incoming buses. This is to establish communications at Chase Files and provide an Incident Command Post for the staging area. The United States Coast Guard is currently at HURRCON III for Port O’Connor, Corpus Christi, and South Padre Island. They are under condition WHISKEY set for the Port of Corpus Christi, Port O’Connor and Port Comfort. They will be conducting a coastal broadcast of the approaching storm.

DDC 1A Garland: DDC 1A Garland activated today.

DDC 3B San Antonio: DDC 3B has been activated. ARRC Reception area is staffed and receiving buses. Approximately 646 commercial buses have arrived with 129 buses staged and ready to be deployed. 50 school buses are ready to deploy.150 buses, 13 wheel chair vans, 35 ambulances, and 10 ambulance buses were deployed to Beeville. DDC 3B will continue to prepare shelters for 20,000 to 30,000 evacuees.
DDC8A McAllen: DDC 8A activated today and will be co-locating with the MACC at the McAllen EOC located at 1300 Houston Avenue in McAllen.

Louisiana: Calcasieu Parish announces voluntary evacuation [Sep 11 Calcasieu Parish]--"Based upon the National Weather Service’s best-case scenario, we are advising residents in low lying areas and mobile homes to seek shelter beginning tomorrow. This is not a mandatory evacuation. The National Weather Service has forecast Tropical Storm force winds coupled with storm surge for Calcasieu Parish as early as Friday evening. These surge and wind conditions may affect residents in mobile homes and low lying areas.

This advisory is consistent with our advice whenever Tropical Storm force winds and storm surge threaten this area. With the tropical storm force winds, this area can expect power outages. Residents whose medical needs or other requirements depend upon electricity should make appropriate arrangements for their needs.

Residents with special needs, or those who need a ride out of the area and a place to stay can call 721-4020 to arrange for transportation to the Civic Center for coach bus transportation. The phone lines will be open until 10 pm tonight, and beginning tomorrow morning at 8:00 am. Coach bus transportation will also be available for residents who can be privately transported to the Civic Center. Transportation will begin at 8 am, Thursday.

We have arranged that all residents who choose to evacuate will be transported to one centralized location in North Louisiana. The Sheriff has agreed to provide personnel for security purposes at the shelter. The Civic Center cannot be used as a shelter.

We will continue to monitor the weather forecast throughout the night and plan to speak to the public again at 6 am Thursday morning to provide updated advisories or necessary information."

Louisiana: Lafourche Parish declares state of emergency for Ike [Sep 11 Raceland]--Due to flooding conditions expected due to Hurricane Ike, Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph has declared a State of Emergency for the Parish of Lafourche, effective at 5:15 P.M., Wednesday, September 10, 2008.

A MANDATORY EVACUATION is now in effect been called for all areas south of the Leon Theriot Floodgates in Golden Meadow, as well as the community of Pointe-Aux-Chenes. A Red Cross Shelter is currently open at the Larose Civic Center.

LA-1 will be shut down south of the floodgates when the water rises above a “safe” level.

Louisiana: Voluntary evacuation order for parts of St Bernard Parish [Sep 11 St Bernard Parish]--St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr. and members of the Parish Council held a press conference Wednesday to announce the details of the voluntary evacuation of the area of St. Bernard Parish outside the hurricane protection levees.

The call for a voluntary evacuation is a response to the National Weather Service update at 4 p.m. today, September 10, 2008. During the update, the National Weather Service stated that St. Bernard Parish could experience storm surge of 4 to 6 feet. The situation could be worsened with the expected high tide tomorrow around midday. The high tide could raise the water level 2 feet, and then the surge could build on top of that high tide.

As of 6 p.m. today, September 10, 2008, Taffaro called a state of emergency for the areas of St. Bernard outside of the hurricane protection levees.

The voluntary evacuation order for the unprotected areas will be in effect at 8 p.m. tonight.

The water is not expected to fall until late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

Anyone who chooses to stay in the areas outside of the protection levees are urged to have supplies of water and food to last for several days. The rising water will probably make most roads impassable.

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office is starting to travel the areas outside of the levee protection system to announce the voluntary evacuation.

The Bayou Bienvenue and Bayou Dupre locks are closed at this time and will be closed until the Lake Borgne Levee District has determined that it is safe for them to be re-opened.

There is no voluntary evacuation order or recommended evacuation order for the areas of St. Bernard Parish within the hurricane protection levees.

Tune to the local media for information. Also, St. Bernard Parish Government will be issuing updates on its website on its cable access station at channel 76 for Cox Communications customers and on its emergency communications radio station at 1680-AM.

Gulf Coast: USNORTHCOM conducts medical evacuations, prepares for post-landfall Ike search and rescue operations [Sep 11 Peterson Air Force Base CO]--U.S. Northern Command is coordinating Department of Defense support to FEMA, state and local response in anticipation of Hurricane Ike and preparing for its potential landfall in the United States.

The following is a list of DoD assets and personnel that are part of U.S. Northern Command’s support efforts:

NEW OPERATIONS:

* USNORTHCOM’s Air Forces Northern is establishing a search and rescue unit in preparation of Hurricane Ike landfall. The unit, 331st Air Expeditionary Group, is responsible for search and rescue operations and will be located at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Texas.

ONGOING OPERATIONS:

* USNORTHCOM is providing aeromedical evacuation of medical patients from Corpus Christi Airport, Corpus Christi, Texas. To support the medical evacuation efforts, the following addition supporting assets were deployed:

- Three Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility teams deployed: the 6th Air Mobility Wing, stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.; the 43rd Air Mobility Wing, stationed at Pope Air Force Base, N.C.; and the 375th Air Mobility Wing stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The mission of the MASF team is to receive patients from any type of situation and prepare them for flight.

- Ten Critical Care Air Transport teams deployed to assist in the medical evacuation. These CCAT teams are made up of a physician, a critical care nurse and a cardio-pulmonary technician. The critical care air transport and aeromedical evacuation teams are a group of highly specialized nurses, physicians, medical technicians and respiratory therapists charged with the responsibility of patient care during medical flying missions and play a vital role in saving lives.

- Additionally, Joint Patient Movement Teams deployed to support medial evacuation of ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients from hospitals to assist in the aeromedical evacuation from this location.

* USNORTHCOM is providing medium lift, rotary wing military aircraft to conduct search-and-rescue efforts and movement of personnel and supplies in support of disaster operations in the affected region.

* USNORTHCOM, working with U.S. Air Forces Northern, is providing personnel and air management systems in direct support of the Texas Military Forces Aviation Coordination Group. These assets will assist Texas in managing air operations during operation in response to Hurricane Ike in Texas.

* DoD has designated the military installation of Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as a FEMA National Logistics Staging Areas to support forward distribution of supplies and equipment to affected areas as required prior to Hurricane Ike making landfall.

* Defense Coordinating Officers/Elements for FEMA Regions X and VI have been activated in support of the response to Hurricane Ike to support FEMA as the lead federal agency. They are located in Austin, Texas and will work very closely through FEMA with other federal, tribal, state, and local officials to determine what unique DoD capabilities can be brought to assist in mitigating the effects of a natural disaster.

Texas: USNorthcom provides Ike evac support [Sep 11 Corpus Christi] by Staff Sgt. Robert Maki, 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs--A Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility team from the 6th Air Mobility Wing stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., arrived here yesterday to support Hurricane Ike evacuation efforts.

The MASF is deployed supporting U.S. Northern Command, which is coordinating Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, tribal, state and local response efforts in anticipation of Hurricane Ike and preparing for its potential landfall in the United States.

Along with the MASF team, more than 200 state and federal assets and volunteers converged on Corpus Christi ahead of Ike to coordinate, manage and safely transport patients from the surrounding area to points of definitive care. The staging facility is outfitted with more than $750,000 in medical supplies and equipment to handle up to 600 patients with minimal to intensive care needs.

The mission of the MASF team is to receive patients from any type of situation and prepare them for flight. Once on site in Texas, the aeromedical staging facility was fully operational and ready to receive patients within two hours.

The MASF team had come a long way since arrival and felt confident about its capabilities in handling the situation, said 1st Lt. Jason Estes, director of operations for the MASF team.

“We are feeling pretty confident,” Estes said. “We have a good squad and good support here with the Guard and Reserve – a lot of good people on the ground.” All the teams embedded in the staging facility worked well together to organize and prepare to process patients, he added.

“I think that we have had enough time together to know the strengths and weaknesses of each member to back each other up,” said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Corbin, MASF team administrative clerk. “I have faith in us. We have a great team out here.”

All the staging facility personnel are “taking every opportunity to ensure patient safety and comfort,” said Maj. Scott Russell, operations officer for the Delaware National Guard’s 142nd Aeromedical Squadron. The staging facility is on high alert to evacuate at a moment’s notice. The teams may fall back or wait out the hurricane at their current location.

A 13-member MASF team deployed to Beaumont, Texas, earlier this month in support of USNORTHCOM’s Hurricane Gustav support efforts. This marked a landmark moment for the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, as it was the first real-world operation for the MASF after the mission was transitioned to active-duty Airmen from Reserve in 2007.

Texas: Ike update - SitRep 4 [Sep 11 Austin]--CURRENT PRIORITIES: a. Prepare for the strike of IKE somewhere along the Texas coast from Port Mansfield to Louisiana Border on or about Saturday, September 13th. Time: On or about 3:00 a.m.
b. Deploy the state SAR force.
c. Conduct orderly and safe evacuations of special needs citizens.
d. Verify and confirm with evacuating jurisdictions the number of Medical Special Needs (MSN) citizens that require assistance with evacuation.
d. Complete activation of the statewide shelter network.