Beaumont Milk Processor Bottling Water After Harvey Destruction

Instead of bottling milk, a milk processing plant in Beaumont, Texas is bottling water to help residents cope with a lack of drinking water caused by Hurricane Harvey.

For one case of bottled water, cars lined up close to one mile after Harvey knocked out the city’s water plant.

The milk processing plant, owned by Kroger Supermarkets, shut down and bottled water in milk jugs for distribution at a local store.

http://www.dairyherd.com/video/beaumont-milk-processor-bottling-water-after-harvey-destruction

When will drinkable water return to Beaumont?

In the city of Beaumont, the question most crucial to almost everyone? Drinkable water. When will it be back? It makes the world turn, so to speak.

Now, 12 News has learned the process may be further along than you know. Is it going to take six weeks? 12 News set out to verify if that is the case with an engineer familiar with Beaumont's water supply.

He believes we are in the last stages of having drinking water from the tap back in play.

Lamar University Environmental Engineering Director Dr. Jerry Lin is not recommending using Beaumont water as drinking water at this time.

http://www.12newsnow.com/news/local/verify/verify-when-will-drinkable-water-return-to-beaumont/472185922

Jefferson County – Hurricane Harvey Bulletin – Thursday, September 7

A message from Judge Jeff Branick

I have always been a proud Southeast Texan, but never more so than I am now. Hurricane Harvey, its torrential rain, and unprecedented flooding tested the resolve of our communities. We responded the only way we know how – with grit, determination, love and compassion for our neighbors. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by Harvey. The road of recovery will be long and hard. Our communities must continue to work together to rebuild all that was washed away. Jefferson County will continue to work diligently to restore county services, repair infrastructure, and support and protect those in the most vulnerable positions. And, so it is important that all Southeast Texans are informed about the resources and disaster assistance available to them. This bulletin will serve as a daily update and reminder of important information for Jefferson County residents as we transition from relief to recovery. God bless Jefferson County and God bless Texas. – Judge Jeff Branick

Jefferson County Courthouse open with limited hours through Friday

The Jefferson County Courthouse will have a limited opening through Friday, September 8, 2017. There will be limited personnel in the offices of Tax Assessor-Collector, County Clerk, and District Clerk. Hours of operation will be from 8:00am – 12:00pm. The Jefferson County Courthouse plans to resume normal operations on Monday, September 11. Residents who have business with the commissioners, county, or district courts should reach out to the respective offices for schedules and hours of operations.

Hurricane Harvey documents and declarations available on county website

Please visit the Jefferson County website for a list of disaster documents, declarations, and orders pertaining to Hurricane Harvey.

PODs open through the weekend in unincorporated areas of county

Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick and Jefferson County Emergency Coordinator Greg Fountain are reporting that points of distribution (PODs) will be open in the unincorporated areas of the county at least through Sunday, September 10. For assistance locating the nearest POD, please contact Emergency Management at 409-835-8757.

County officials assessing damage to public structures, roads

Jefferson County officials are currently assessing damage to public structures, roads, bridges, and related infrastructure throughout the county. To report structural damage to buildings, please contact Cary Erickson at 409-839-2391. To report damage to roads and bridges, please contact the County Engineer at 409-835-8584.

Residents eligible for federal assistance at disasterassistance.gov

The federal government issued a Major Disaster Declaration for Jefferson County on September 2, 2017, which made county residents eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). All Jefferson County residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey are encouraged to apply for federal assistance at disasterassistance.gov, at a local government office, or at a FEMA disaster recovery center when established. For more information and helpful resources on FEMA’s disaster relief and recovery efforts, please visit FEMA.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

NOTE: residents who applied for FEMA assistance prior to the Major Disaster Declaration by the federal government on September 2, 2017, will need to re-apply for assistance.

FEMA opening disaster recovery centers in Jefferson County

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with Jefferson County officials and could set up disaster recovery centers as early as this week. Residents may apply for federal disaster assistance at FEMA disaster recovery centers. FEMA representatives will assess damaged properties of county residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey who have applied for federal assistance through disasterassistance.gov.

SBA disaster loans available to SETX businesses

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is actively coordinating with FEMA and other federal agencies to provide disaster assistance to affected individuals, families, and businesses. If you are business owner in Southeast Texas, you may be eligible to receive a low-interest, long-term disaster loan from the SBA to repair or replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property. For more information, please visit the SBA Hurricane Harvey Recovery webpage.

More useful links for individuals and families impacted by Harvey

The General Land Office (GLO) has compiled a list of useful links for individuals, families, and businesses affected by Hurricane Harvey. The webpage includes links to guide residents in replacing lost or damaged documents such as birth certificates, proof of residency, military records, Medicare cards, and others. Find out more at GLO’s Recovery Assistance.

Please report price gouging and scams to Texas Attorney General

The office of Attorney General Ken Paxton has provided helpful tips to avoid price gouging and scams, and to protect residents in vulnerable positions. Please contact the Office of the Texas Attorney General to report any of these suspicious activities at 1-800-621-0508 or file a complaint online.

 

Port Arthur officials are working closely with the Federal Emergency

One plan is to shuffle FEMA representatives from local hotels to base camps that will be set up in Port Arthur, Beaumont and other affected areas, Kevin Hannes, FEMA federal coordinating officer, said.
“We want to empty the hotels for the evacuees to use,” Hannes said.
But, as FEMA looks at long-term rebuilding, some area residents remain displaced, housed in shelters or hotels.
About half of a million people have registered with FEMA across all of the impacted areas, tens of thousands are in shelters and about 16,000 families are in hotels following the catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey.
Port Arthur Mayor Derrick Freeman said they are working on a long term housing solution for those who lost their homes and that shelters will likely be open for another three-to-four weeks.
There is currently a shelter at Thomas Jefferson Middle School housing more than 200 people in the two gyms.
Hannes asked that residents register with FEMA. There is no cost to file.

Update from the city of Port Neches

The city of Port Neches has released updated information regarding city services and more:

·       The city strongly encourages its citizens to contact their insurance regarding policy requirements for the disposal of storm debris.

·       The city storm debris contactor, DRC, will begin work on Thursday, Sept. 7. They will be required to make three passes. Residents are asked to separate items.

·       The city is back on its regular garbage schedule. The city will only be collecting regular household garbage and green waste; please do not mix the piles. Trailers will be allowed during reconstruction for homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey. A permit will be required, however, fees are waived.

·       PODS will be allowed for storage for homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey. A permit will be required, however, fees are waived.

·       Building permits will be required for applicable reconstruction, however, fees are waived.

·       It is requested that citizens continue to sign-up for Blackboard Connect/STAN and Nixel to receive information. The city’s website, www.ci.port-neches.tx.us includes links to sign-up for these notification services.

http://www.panews.com/2017/09/06/update-from-the-city-of-port-neches/

Abbott to SE Texas: 'Texas has your back'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott met with local leaders and reporters at a supply distribution point at Ozen High School Tuesday afternoon and pledged support for the region.

"I'm so proud to be here in Jefferson County," he said, after handing out ready-to-eat meals to about half a dozen cars in line. "The real heroes over the past week or so have been our fellow Texans. It's been Texans stepping up and helping their fellow Texans, neighbor helping neighbor and stranger helping stranger." He also praised local leaders, first responders and National Guard members.

"We're here to send a message. While you're still working on desperately needed supplies, as I handed out tonight, food and water, we're beginning the rebuilding process. We're not going to waste a single day," he said.

"Texas has their back, and Texas is going to step up and aid our fellow Texans," Abbott said, when asked about his message to Southeast Texans.

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Abbott-to-SE-Texas-Texas-has-your-back-12177170.php

FEMA centers could open soon, 550K have registered so far

FEMA disaster recovery centers could be set up in Southeast Texas as early as this week, a FEMA representative said on Tuesday.

In the meantime, people who were affected by Tropical Storm Harvey should go to DisasterAssistance.gov and register, said FEMA's Jefferson County spokesman, Scott Thomas.

More than 550,000 Texans had registered as of Tuesday, said Kevin Hannes, FEMA's federal coordinating officer in Texas.

Once someone registers, a FEMA inspector will contact them to schedule an appointment to review the damage.

Thomas said no Federal Emergency Management Agency representative will ask for money up front, or bank account information or any requirement to pay for assistance.

"Anything else is fraudulent," Thomas said.

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/FEMA-centers-could-open-soon-550K-have-12176493.php