Texas flood updates Saturday Post Harvey problems plague

One week after Harvey roared into the Gulf Coast, residents of a Texas city struggled with no drinking water, fires continued to erupt at a stricken chemical plant and funerals began for some of the mounting toll of victims.

In Beaumont, Texas, home to almost 120,000, people waited in a line that stretched for more than a mile to get bottled water after the municipal system failed earlier this week.

Thick black smoke and towering orange flames shot up Friday after two trailers of highly unstable compounds blew up at Arkema, a flooded chemical plant in Crosby, the second fire there in two days.

http://www.panews.com/2017/09/02/texas-flood-updates-saturday-92201-post-harvey-problems-plague/

Long cleanup process begins for SE Texans hit hard by Harvey

While many Southeast Texas communities still reckon with heavy flooding, high water in Winnie and Hamshire has been replaced by piles of soaked personal belongings.

Floodwaters in the two cities began receding Thursday. By Saturday, residents with flooded homes were ripping up carpet, knocking out drywall and piling their losses in their front yards.

Winnie resident Hank Sonnier had eight inches of water in his home - less than some of his neighbors - and said he and his family likely won't be able to live in their home until Christmas.

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Long-cleanup-process-begins-for-SE-Texans-hit-12170254.php

Where to get supplies on Sunday

  • Beaumont: Aqua Texas is bringing a water tanker to the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church at 1175 Isla Avenue at noon. Bottles will not be provided but residents with their own containers can fill them up.
     
  • Beaumont: Ferguson Law Firm will be handing out free boxed meals at 1:30 p.m. in the Colonade Center, Phelan at Dowlen.
  • Beaumont: Southeast Texas Food Bank, 3845 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, 12-3 p.m. Remain in the vehicle and follow instructions from staff. No walk-ups.
       
  • Beaumont:  Babe Zaharias Memorial Stadium at  2445 Concord Road. This is a city operated distribution site that will be providing water, ice and a box of meals ready to eat to every car while supplies last until 7 p.m. They ask that drivers roll down windows for instructions to help the lines move more quickly.
     
  • Beaumont: Ozen High School at 3443 Fannett Road This is a city operated distribution site that will be providing water, ice and a box of meals ready to eat to every car while supplies last until 7 p.m. They ask that drivers roll down windows for instructions to help the lines move more quickly. 

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/weather/article/Where-to-get-water-food-on-Saturday-12170300.php

PA - City disseminating information on Facebook

It’s been a traumatic week for Port Arthur and an interesting past couple of days as the city recovers from Hurricane Harvey.

Some information being disseminated on the city’s Facebook page are as follow:

· The city health department is available at the shelter located at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and can assist in dressing changes, wound care and prescription assistance.

· Port Arthur Police and Fire Departments continue to provide continuous citywide coverage.

· As businesses begin to reopen make sure you look for an orange tag. It means the health department has inspected the restaurant, and they’re cleared to operate.

· Tetanus shots available for citizens starting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the city health department at 449 Austin Ave.

· You may need a tetanus shot if you were exposed to flood water and/or have not had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years. First responders are still responding to calls for service, but the calls have reduced dramatically.

http://www.panews.com/2017/09/03/city-disseminating-information-on-facebook/

Hurricane Harvey draws attention to planning, development on Texas coast

Dr. John Jacob of Houston AgriLife extension said while addressing flooding is the major issue after events like Hurricane Harvey, responsible development should also focus on making a town or city a safer and better place.

“The issue extends beyond floods and flooding, but such disasters as Hurricane Harvey remind us we should focus on ‘resilient growth’ so we can bounce back from adversity,” he said. “We want to get these communities affected by flooding to the point where a flood can be seen as an inconvenience and not a disaster.”

He said much of the area of Houston affected by Hurricane Harvey was in communities built before regulations regarding development on floodplains were put into effect.

https://today.agrilife.org/2017/08/31/57282/

Nederland police: City’s water supply remains safe, secure; garbage collection still delayed

The City of Nederland said early Thursday the rumors spreading via social media regarding the city’s water supply having problems are not true.

Despite the City of Beaumont losing its water supply this morning, Nederland’s water supply is the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA).

“We have been in close contact with them and our water supply is still available,” a Nederland city spokesman said. “If the water supply were to become unavailable, we have storage in the water towers and would ask people to conserve water. But at this time, the water is safe and our water supply is secure.”

http://www.panews.com/2017/08/31/nederland-police-citys-water-supply-remains-safe-secure-garbage-collection-still-delayed/

Though safe, many in Port Arthur remain in need

For those stuck in the Port Arthur floods, there is little to do but wait.

While hundreds remain stranded on rooftops and in homes, hundreds more wait in hotels.

Some, fearing the worst on Tuesday, planned ahead and booked rooms on higher ground. However, at the Baymont Inn and Suites on Highway 73, safety is little more than an island of strangers surrounded by several feet of floodwater stretching out as far as the eye can see.

http://www.panews.com/2017/08/31/though-safe-many-in-port-arthur-remain-in-need/

VIDEO: Flooding forces Texas hospital to evacuate 200 patients

Officials at Beaumont's other hospital say they've decided not to move their patients elsewhere but are operating under "extreme emergency conditions."

Christus St. Elizabeth issued a statement Thursday saying 256 patients will remain at the Texas hospital, which gets its water from wells and has a store of potable water.

http://home.suddenlink.net/player/category/news/article/fox_news-flooding_forces_texas_hospital_to_evacuate_200_pat-foxnews