09.26.05

safe to return

Posted in General at 10:05 pm by Paloma Cruz

Mayor John Manlove Signals All Clear to Return to Pasadena; City Services Expected to Return to Normal Beginning Tuesday, September 27

Pasadena Mayor John Manlove reassures evacuated citizens that the city is safe and that damage to the area is extremely limited. “We were very fortunate to have sustained minimal damage to the city,” stated the mayor. “Stores and restaurants are open. Gas is available, the roadways are clear of debris and City services will be in full operation beginning Tuesday. There is no reason for citizens to delay their return.”

The Mayor is also requesting that City employees return to service on Tuesday, September 27. “Our employees are essential to the city’s recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita,” commented the mayor. City employees may call 1-866-520-6819 for more information. Citizens are encouraged to access the city’s website at www.pasadenatexas.net for updates or call 713-477-1511.

Welcome back.

09.22.05

Evacuated

Posted in General at 12:28 pm by Paloma Cruz

My entire family has evacuated in anticipation of Hurricane Rita. We all live in Pasadena, and they went into mandatory evacuation this morning at 6 a.m.

I am staying in Houston. I’ve been pulled to coordinate communications for a client and am staying in town.

It’ll be OK… I hope.

09.20.05

Family Flood Preparedness Plan

Posted in General at 12:50 am by Paloma Cruz

I found this on the Harris County Flood Control District Web site:

Family Flood Preparedness Plan

The American Red Cross and FEMA have jointly published excellent brochures entitled “Your Family Disaster Plan” and “Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit.” Every family should obtain these and follow them. They cover more than just floods and will also be useful for other potential disasters. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility. To obtain a copy of the brochures, contact the Houston Red Cross office at: 713-526-8300 or search their website for related information.

Of course, you can always just use this link instead. With an imminent hurricane on its way to Houston, this plan is especially important.

09.18.05

Hurricanes increasing in strength

Posted in News at 6:25 pm by Paloma Cruz

ABC13.com posted a story from the Associated Press that, as a resident in a Hurricane-friendly city, I found very interesting.

Hurricanes getting stronger study finds

The number of hurricanes in the most powerful categories — like Katrina and Andrew — has increased sharply over the past few decades, according to a new analysis sure to stir debate over whether global warming is worsening these deadly storms.

While studies have not found an overall increase in tropical storms worldwide, the number of storms reaching categories 4 and 5 grew from about 11 per year in the 1970s to 18 per year since 1990, according to a report in Friday’s issue of the journal Science.

It’s been more than 20 years since a strong hurricane has hit Houston, and many argue that the city is not prepared. I don’t know about that. I do know that I’m not certain that my family would be prepared to deal with the fallout of something like what recently happened in New Orleans. If there are those of you out there that believe otherwise, then you’re lucky… or deluded.

The American Red Cross has a “Get Prepared” section that should provide valuable information on getting your family ready for the worst-case scenario.

(…reprint from stories from a Houston Life…)

09.04.05

unusual shelters

Posted in News at 3:04 am by Paloma Cruz

This is proof that all avenues of shelter are being considered:

  • Carnival cruise ships to house evacuees in Galveston (free registration may be required) - “Federal officials are chartering three of Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships for six months, part of a plan to provide shelter for as many as 7,000 people displaced by devastating Hurricane Katrina.”
  • Relatives’ home becomes site of family reunion - “When the 15-member Dingeman family finally arrived at their relatives’ home in Pierre Part, La., they thought they were coming to a relatively empty house. Instead, it was full of Hurricane Katrina refugees, just like them.”
  • Galveston-based cruise ships cancel trips for six months - “Federal officials are chartering three of Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships for six months, part of a plan to provide shelter for as many as 7,000 people displaced by devastating Hurricane Katrina.”
  • Convention Center Opens To Evacuees - “Evacuees arrived at the George R. Brown Convention Center late Friday after it was opened as a temporary shelter for thousands of evacuees from New Orleans, Local 2 reported.”
  • San Antonio to take in 25,000 more from Louisiana - “The state of Texas has agreed to take in an additional 25,000 Louisiana refugees from Hurricane Katrina and plans to house them in San Antonio, Gov. Rick Perry’s office said today.”
  • First evacuees arrive to stay at former air base - “Barefoot, bewildered and some carrying only their stowaway pets, more than 2,500 Louisiana evacuees arrived on buses and airplanes Friday to take shelter at KellyUSA, a former military installation that could hold 7,000 homeless victims of Hurricane Katrina.”
  • Brown Convention Center is home for now - “Carolann Thomas, 47, a special-needs caregiver from New Orleans, was getting used to her third new home in five days this morning at the George R. Brown Convention Center. She was there with her daughter, Katie, 22.”

(…reprint from stories from a Houston Life…)

Reminder: Houston Chronicle links expire after a couple of days. Articles are archived after a few days. If you want to access these articles after that, you either have to be a subscriber or go to the Houston Public Library and access the database using your Library Power Card.

Resources & Lists

Posted in General at 2:50 am by Paloma Cruz

I’ll be adding to this as I find more:

(…reprint from stories from a Houston Life…)