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Archive for the Hurricane Ike Category

Beware It is not safe to swim in ditches, bayous, and Lakes at this time…

DANGER!

Do Not Swim in Ditches, Lakes, or Bayous

Due to Hurricane Ike, many of the waterways in our community have become increasingly contaminated with bacteria and toxins.   Health risks that could occur from exposure to these waters include diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections and various bacterial infections, including potentially deadly bacterial infections such as tetanus (lockjaw).

 

Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services strongly advises residents not to swim, bathe or play in ditches, bayous, creeks or lakes because of these health risks.   In addition, residents are reminded that they should never enter waters that you cannot see through, that may have a swift undercurrent or may contain debris.

 

As always, never leave children unattended around water, including swimming pools, even if they know how to swim.

 

Protect your family and your community from injuries and drowning.    

 

If you have any questions, call 713-439-6270.

Harris County Health warns against swimming in bayous, ditches etc. as a health risk

DANGER!

Do Not Swim in Ditches, Lakes, or Bayous

Due to Hurricane Ike, many of the waterways in our community have become increasingly contaminated with bacteria and toxins.   Health risks that could occur from exposure to these waters include diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections and various bacterial infections, including potentially deadly bacterial infections such as tetanus (lockjaw).

 

Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services strongly advises residents not to swim, bathe or play in ditches, bayous, creeks or lakes because of these health risks.   In addition, residents are reminded that they should never enter waters that you cannot see through, that may have a swift undercurrent or may contain debris.

 

As always, never leave children unattended around water, including swimming pools, even if they know how to swim.

 

Protect your family and your community from injuries and drowning.    

 

If you have any questions, call 713-439-6270.

Our Post Hurricane Ike Damages and Impact Are Slowly Being Repaired

When hurricane Ike came ashore last Friday night and early Saturday morning here in Friendswood, Texas, it left town with part of my roof, and other minor damages to our property.  I would have to say, besides the loss of power, A/C, cable TV and the internet, the worst seemed to be a section of our roof, that lost alot of shingles and felt; along with an Live Oak Tree I planted in the back corner of our backyard in memory of my Dad, who passed on back in October of 1995.

For days, I looked for assistance from anyone in putting a roof tarp up on the damaged section of the roof, and to somehow raise Dad’s Tree back up off the fence, that it came to rest on.  Well today, after 6 days, I am very glad to say that help finally arrived in the form of Mr. Dale Jones, a good friend of of a good friend of mine, Jim Gerland, also of Friendswood. 

Earlier today, I was updating Gerland about my predicament, and as well about his home here in Friendswood.  He and his wife, Melody and family evacuated in front of Ike’s landfall, faster than the decision-makers on the evacuation situation could yell “GIT!”.  In no time they had checked in at my favorite hotel in Austin.  Ah, The Driskill Hotel, which was built in 1886 as the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill, The Driskill still remains a landmark of Texas hospitality. As a member of The Historic Hotels of America and Associated Luxury Hotels International, The Driskill is among the world’s finest hotels, offering an elite level of luxury and service. 

So anyway, while Jimbo and his fab wife, Mel were enjoying themselves in such luxury, with a wonderful roof over Jim’s head, here I sat, under a roof that threatened to turn into a shower-head with the next cloud-burst.  Ok, I kinda drifted off the story-line…

Well I guess maybe he was pondering my desperate situation, (between bob-bons, & ice cream, yum, ice cold ice cream, hmm I can almost remember what that taste and felt like), and finally he said, ”Hey, give my old buddy Dale Jones a call…”  ”I bet he can fix you right up on that roof problem”, so thats what I did, I gave Dale a call and he said something like, Sure thing, “I can fix you up this afternoon”.  He then inquired about Jim and his family, and when they were expected back in town.  I then found out that Dale had, “borrowed” his old buddy Jimbo’s super-dupper generator and needed to return it before the Gerland’s returned home.

Well, what do you know, but right when Dale said he and his crew would show up, there was a knock on the door and sure enough, there was that tall Texan, Dale Jones and his Calvary to save my day, well my roof at least.  I tell ya what, in no time… in fact, faster than I could find my checkbook to write the payment, the Crew were through. 

Oh… and that’s not all… as we were looking at the roof before the crew got started, I happened to mention that my Dad’s Tree had fallen down on a fence, just in a matter of fact way…

As soon as the crew climbed down from my roof, I started to finally write the check, but when I looked up to say thanks to Dale and his crew, they were no where to be seen out in front.  Finally, I heard some voices in the back yard, and that was exactly where they had dissapeared to.  I walked through my side fence into the back, and there they all were… they had all gathered around the tree, all working together to raise the Live Oak off the fence and back in the hole its root ball had pulled out of. 

It was that fast, that quick, and they were all laughing the whole time!  I was impressed by the men on the crew, their skill and their smiles as I just couldn’t stop thanking them enough.

I handed over the check for the roof, and started to write another for the tree work, and Dale said, “no thanks, that was on us… “  All I could do, was say thanks to everyone that had just helped me and my wife start healing from the minor wounds that Hurricane Ike had done to us. 

Yes we were blessed with just minor damage, which in no way compares with so many here in SE Texas, yes indeed, we were blessed by our friends and neighbors that helped us in the aftermath.  People like Rod, Joan, Charles, John, Amy and her husband, Ben, Pete and his wife Paula, Margie, Tom, and his wife Cindy and now Dale Jones and his roofing crew, yes truely blessed.

All my wife and I can say is, “Thanks so much for all of you that helped us”, and I do hope y’all know that we mean that, from the bottom of our hearts.

*Chuck, who works with Dale, just dropped off their estimate for a new roof, and it doesn’t look bad at all.  Now I gotta run down to the Friendswood Hardware Store and get a few stakes and wire to secure Dad’s Tree a bit tighter and return the rope back to Dale.

As I finish up this Log, I feel a great load has lifted off my shoulders, thanks to my friends and neighbors, Thanks Y’all, and God Bless…

Stay Safe,

Cane

        

The City of Friendswood’s Friday, (Sept. 19), Evening Hurricane Recovery Update

Friday evening, September 19, 2008 

Update from the Friendswood Office of Emergency Management: 

Electric power in Friendswood is at approximately 70 percent at this time.  The City of Friendswood is in daily contact with the power providers.  They expect to have the city close to 100 percent power within the next few days, with scattered severe exceptions. 

Food supply is adequate in Friendswood.  Grocery Stores and many businesses are now open. 

Fuel supply is available with moderate wait times. 

Water supply continues to be safe to drink, and there is no shortage of water pressure in Friendswood.  A mandatory curfew is in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. in Friendswood until the City and utility companies can provide safe and effective services. 

Sewer facilities are not operating at 100% at this time.  While unlikely, there is a possibility of some sewer back-ups until power is restored to all of Friendswood’s lift stations.  

FISD and CCISD schools are still closed until further notice. 

All Friendswood roadways are open to traffic. 

The FEMA POD site that was activated in Centennial Park in Friendswood is no longer in operation.   

Friendswood has recently put a price-gouging ordinance into effect that prohibits vendors and others selling goods or services from unreasonably increasing their prices or rates.  Residents who suspect that anyone in our community is price gouging should call the City of Friendswood at 281-996-3335 to report the gouging.  

In addition, the City is requiring that Contractors who will be providing building and repair services in Friendswood register with the City and receive from the City a building contractor’s license.  One of the purposes of this licensing is to ensure that contractors who will be working on properties in Friendswood are licensed and insured.   

For FEMA assistance, residents can contact FEMA at:Phone: 1-800-621-FEMAWeb: www.fema.gov 

There is FEMA assistance for temporary housing and long term financial relief for those with substantial damage or displacement. 

As we begin transitioning into debris management mode, please make sure that household trash is bagged as usual and separated from any wooded storm debris.  Any green waste that is placed in trash bags should be placed alongside the household trash instead of with larger wooded storm debris.  Wooded storm debris does not have to be cut, bundled, or tied.  Per FEMA regulations, all trash must be no further than 12 feet from the curb.  

Joe Jaworski is helping getting the call out for Volunteers

Friday, September 19, 2008 Dear Friends and Volunteers,Below are some volunteer opportunities we have heard about.  Please help out if you can and forward or pass the word to anyone you know in the area.Galveston County
From Larry Jones, Sr., Pastor, Santa Fe Baptist Church, and Santa Fe, Texas:
If you have volunteers who wish to help in Bayou Vista I will be glad to assist you.  I’m organizing our volunteer help for the city.  We have many citizens who are elderly or have other issues which prevent them from doing their own debris removal and clean-up.  Also, a number of our staff have been working selflessly around the clock and I would like to send volunteers to help remove debris from their property.  Please contact Larry at 409-771-8209 or via e-mail at blawrencejones@hotmail.com.
Brazoria County
Volunteers with Chain Saws, wheelbarrows, rakes, etc. – Many homes need clean up, especially those of the county’s elderly residents.  Individuals and groups are invited to email Gloria Luna at gluna@uwbc.org or call her at (979) 849-9402 to discuss projects.
Volunteers to deliver food to homebound – There are a number of elderly, disabled and low-income individuals who are unable to get to food and water.  Email Gloria Luna at gluna@uwbc.org or call her at (979) 849-9402 for further information.Harris County
Blockwalk Saturday and Sunday in the Sagemont area to hand out informational flyers to residents who do not have electricity.  Contact BAND headquarters for more information at 281-218-6020.
For additional volunteer opportunities in Harris County go to http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/side/6004619.html.Thank you,
Angie and Brooke
Joe Jaworski for Texas Campaign

Boil Water orders for private water systems

UPDATE ON PRIVATE WATER COMPANIES 

September 19, 2008                                                                Contact: Mark Seegers                                                                                      713-881-3090 

The following private water systems remain under a “boil water” notice.  Persons using these systems should follow these steps for purifying their water:  

Bring water to a full boil (it will bubble) and keep it boiling for two minutes.  Or add eight drops of non-scented, non-colored chlorine per gallon of water. Wait 30 minutes before using. 

·         BRAZORIA COUNTYALVIN OFFICEASHLEY OAKSASHLEY OAKSBERNARD ACRESCALICO FARMSCENTENNIALCOUNTRY CREEKFLORA SECT 6FLORA SECT 7HASTINGSHEIGHTS COUNTRYLAS PLAYASMEADOWLANDMORELAND 1&2MORELAND 3&4OAK BENDPALMETTOPLEASANT MEADOWSPLEASANTDALEQUAIL MEADOWSSANDY RIDGESHARONDALESOUTH MEADOWSSTERLING ESTATESVILLAGE TRACEWELLBORN ACRESWESTWOODWEYBRIDGEWINDSONG ·         HARRIS COUNTYALDINE MEADOWSBERGVILLECOLONIAL HILLSCOLONIAL HILLSDORSETTGREENWOOD VILLAGEKENWOODMARY FRANCIS/BERTRANDSPRING CREEKSTETTNER ·         LIBERTY COUNTYMAYWOOD ·         MATAGORDA COUNTYOAK HOLLOWTIDE WATER OAKSTRES PALACIOS OAKS ·         MONTGOMERY COUNTYAIRPORT HEIGHTSARROWHEAD/FRONTIERENCHANTED FORESTFOREST WOODSHIDDEN FORESTLAIRD ESTATESLAKE CONROE WESTPINE VISTAPINEY POINThttp://ohsem.newsrouter.com/ 

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You are receiving this email notification because you are on a distribution list managed by Harris County Homeland Security & Emergency Management

RESIDENTS EVACUATED & SHELTERED THROUGH THE TX TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE REGISTRY (2-1-1) Update

RESIDENTS EVACUATED & SHELTERED THROUGH THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE REGISTRY (2-1-1) ARE REMINDED TO REMAIN AT THEIR CURRENT SHELTER

 

Date:   September 19, 2008                                    

CONTACT:  Mark Seegers          

Subject: 2-1-1                                                                      

713-881-3090

 

(Harris County) Persons who evacuated for Hurricane Ike through the Texas Transportation Assistance Registry or who have specials needs should remain at their current sheltering location until advised to do so by their home jurisdiction.

 

Officials from affected communities warn residents that they continue to be without power, other essential public services and are currently under boil water notices.

Updates will be issued regularly to inform these residents when their local officials deem it safe to return home.

http://ohsem.newsrouter.com/

Three Additional Point of Distribution (PODs) Open

Three Additional Point of Distribution (PODs) / Tres Sitios Adicionales de Distribución

 

The following locations are operating Points of Distribution (PODs) sites for Friday, September 19, 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 and only some of the PODs will have Meals Ready to Eat (MREs).  The POD at Clyde Abshire, Deer Park Football Stadium will close permanently today at 3:00 PM.

 

Los siguientes Sitios de Distribución estarán abiertos el viernes, 19 de Septiembre del 2008 de 9 a.m. a 6 p.m.  La mayoría de los sitios tendrán solamente hielo y algunos de los sitios tendrán comidas preparadas (MREs).  El Sitio de Distribución de Clyde Abshire, Deer Park Football Stadium cerrará permanentemente hoy a las 3:00 de la tarde.

 

1.         Harvest Time Church         17770 Imperial Valley, Houston 77060

 

2.         La Porte High School         301 E. Fairmont Pkwy., La Porte 77571

 

3.         Clyde Abshire, Deer Park Football Stadium     710 West St. Augustine, Deer            Park 77536@Center

 

4.         Bay Area Community Center       5002 NASA Road #1, Seabrook 77586

 

5.         Jim Fonteno Courthouse Annex  14350 Wallisville Rd., Houston 77049

 

6.         San Jacinto Community Center   604 Highland Woods, Highlands 77562

 

7.         Community of Faith           1023 Pinemont Dr., Houston 77018

 

8.         Ripley House           4410 Navigation, Houston 77011

 

9.         Sharpstown Mall     7500 Clarewood, Houston 77036

 

10.       Robertson Stadium, University of Houston      3600 Scott, Houston 77011 (Lot 12A)

 

11.       Fountain of Praise Hillcroft Campus      13950 Hillcroft, Houston 77085

 

12.       Zion Lutheran          3606 Beauchamp, Houston 77009

 

13.       Baytown Courthouse Annex        701 West Baker Rd., Baytown 77521

 

14.       Church Without Walls       5314 Bingle Rd., Houston 77092

 

15.       S. Houston Community Center    1007 State St., South Houston 77587

 

16.       St. Agnes Baptist Church  3730 S. Acres Dr., Houston 77047

 

17.       New Light Church  7317 East Houston Rd., Houston 77028

 

18.       Houston Community College SE            6815 Rustic Avenue @ 45 & Woodridge

 

19.       Tinsel Town Jacinto City   11450 East Fwy., Jacinto City 77029

 

20.       Kipp Academy Houston    9634 Mesa Dr., Houston 77078

 

21.       First Assembly of God       1915 FM 1960 Bypass, Rd E, Humble, 77338-

 

22.       Christian Temple Assembly         9701 Almeda Genoa Rd., Houston 77075-

 

23.       Crosby High School           14703 FM 2100, Crosby 77532-

 

More Harris County WIC Clinics Re-Open

Certain WIC Clinics Re-Open After Hurricane Ike 

More and more Harris county WIC offices are open and operating in Harris County as of today.  This includes WIC offices operated by the Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, Houston Department of Health and Human Services and by University of Texas Health Science Center Houston.  WIC Clients can go to any of the open sites for services regardless of where they were originally enrolled in WIC.   

Clients should call one of the open WIC offices if they lost their voucher or food as a result of Hurricane Ike.   

Special allowances are being made regarding the types of documentation that will be accepted as proof of income and residency.  WIC income guidelines are the same as the school lunch guidelines, for example a family of four would qualify up to $39,220.  Often working parents who do not qualify for other types of assistance are eligible for WIC. 

For information about WIC services please call 1-800-942-3678 

http://ohsem.newsrouter.com/ 

Phone Number Changes For Harris County

Phone Number Changes For Harris CountyThe following telephone information numbers have changed.  Please forward the information to your others that could be effected:

  • Hurricane Ike Hotline/Phone Bank is 713-368-2741.

  •  

    American Red Cross-Houston Chapter:

Shelter Information has changed from 713-313-5286 to 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-733-2767

Missing Persons Information has changed from 713-313-1656 to 713-526-8300

Date: September 19, 2008 Contact: Rosio TorresSubject: Phone number changes (713) 881-3090 JIC#