1, September J, 2008 by admin.

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.

Posted in City of La Porte, TX, City of Houston, TX, Hurricane Ike Recovery, Galveston County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Harris County Information, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information | 1 Comment »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

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.

Posted in Hurricane Ike Recovery, Harris County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information | 1 Comment »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

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

Posted in Hurricane Ike Recovery, The Fincher Inn, Galveston County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information, Home, City of Friendswood, TX | No Comments »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

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

Posted in Hurricane Ike Recovery, Galveston County Information, Harris County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information | No Comments »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

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/ 

************ 

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

Posted in Hurricane Ike Recovery, Harris County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information | 1 Comment »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

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

(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/

Posted in City of La Porte, TX, TX, City of Houston, TX, Hurricane Ike Recovery, Galveston County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Harris County Information, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information | No Comments »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

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#

Posted in Hurricane Ike Recovery, Harris County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information | No Comments »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

ILLEGAL DEBRIS DUMPING

The Harris County Flood Control District has received a number of calls from residents reporting the dumping of tree limbs and other debris in area bayous, creeks and tributaries.  Discarding debris into area bayous and creeks can obstruct the flow of storm water, impede drainage, cause flooding and deteriorate water quality.

We strongly urge all residents to properly dispose of all debris.  Tree limbs should be cut, tied together and appropriately placed for heavy trash pick-up. Other debris should be placed in garbage cans or other trash receptacles.

Please report items related to area bayous and creeks to Harris County Flood Control District’s Citizens Service Center at 713-684-4197.

Contact:  Rosio Torres - (713) 881-3090

Posted in Hurricane Ike Recovery, Harris County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information | No Comments »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

CITY OF LA PORTE UPDATE

City of La Porte, City Manager Ron Bottoms offered a Hurricane Ike recovery update:

Debris removal has begun. The debris must be separated into four groups as follows: normal household garbage, construction and demolition materials, vegetative debris, and appliances. This is crucial to ensure fast and efficient clean up of the city.  Normal garbage schedules have resumed.

The Mayor has amended curfew times from 12:00 a.m. midnight to 5:00 a.m. This mandatory curfew will be in effect until further notice.

There are currently two POD locations available for supplies one at Lomax Jr. High located at 9801 N. Ave. L. and the other at La Porte High located at 301 E. Fairmont Parkway. The plan is to consolidate to one location which will be the High School.

We encourage citizens to take advantage of the free Blue Roof Program run by the Army Corps of Engineers which is set up at Bayshore Baptist Church located at 11315 Spencer Hwy from 8am - 6 pm to get assistance which includes the installation of commercial grade tarps for homes that have suffered roof damages during the hurricane. The number is 1-888-766-3258.

The La Porte Library located at 600 S. Broadway will be open Friday and Saturday from 10 am - 5:00 p.m. with 25 computers that citizens can use to apply for FEMA assistance.

We are working to get the city back to normal as quick as possible.

Thank you.

Contact:  Rosio Torres - (713) 881-3090

Posted in City of La Porte, TX, TX, Hurricane Ike Recovery, Harris County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Ike | 1 Comment »