[stxares] Central and South Texas Red Cross Update Hurricane Laura (09/04/20)

[Kevin_McCoy]

ARES Operators, Quick update. I am now reporting to the HQ for the DR which is located in Orange County TX. But still responsible for technology in the Central and South Texas area.

As of this evening there were still 7K folks on the Texas side of the border with power issues. (see https://poweroutage.us/)

Between Austin and San Antonio we were sheltering roughly 1000 folks (Down from 5200 at the peak). Most from areas like Galveston were able to go home quickly. Progress has been slower in impact areas. Damage in Louisiana is said to be more severe. In Texas more than 380 homes were major damage or destroyed. We are working in partnership with the state, and we will continue to shelter folks until it is safe for them to return home. Sheltering is also going on in Dallas Fort Worth area, the Houston area, and in locations closer to the impact area where power and infrastructure is available to support them. We are trying to use Hotels as much as possible for COVID-19 Safety.

1400 trained Red Cross workers are on the job, and as we switch from response to recovery we are focusing increasingly on Mobile Feeding and distribution emergency supplies. (about 47,000 - e.g. cleaning supplies, …)

And Fixed and Mobile Feeding (110,000 Meals and snacks so far)

There has been great demand for Disaster Mental Health, Disaster Health Services, and Spiritual Care.

Folks from affected areas (eligible counties or parishes) can get shelter assistance by calling 1-888-991-5229

And other resources are available from 1-800-RED-CROSS and

Texas: https://gov.texas.gov/hurricane

Louisiana: https://hurricanelaura.la.gov/

Shout out to Ron N5SBN - EC for Brazos County, sent me a great note from Baton Rouge where he is driving an Emergency Response Vehicle for the relief effort.

As always feel free to reach out to me if you become aware of an unmet need.

Best

Kevin @KF5FUZ
IT / Disaster Services Technology Lead - Central and South Texas DR 538-21 HUR Laura 8/20

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[David_McGilbery_K5DD]

This is Dave…K5DDM , Jasper / Newton ARES EC.
We have tons of outside help from the electric utility people, and judging from the license plates, many from out of state.
We appreciate their help. We have not had any communications problems in our area, as most government systems remained on, as did almost all cell phone towers. The problem we had during Rita, was that cell phone towers had no backup power, or if they did, the fuel supply was limited to the generators. They seemed to have fixed that problem.

Power has been restored to the vast majority, only remote isolated areas remain…and the fix is in on most of them.

As I travel from south Jasper County to North Jasper county on US 96, I see dozens of homes with roof damage, but very little structural damage.Trees fell on some houses, causing heavy damage, and carports / sheds / barns demolished…but most survived. Not nearly as bad as Rita. The improved clearing of right of ways for power distribution lines paid big dividends.

If there is still any specific info from Jasper County you need, please send me an email, and I will try to get what I can find to you.

Dave
K5DDM
Call, Tx.
mcgilbdd@sbcglobal.net

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[Charles_Doughtie_N5E]

HiYall,
I have been incarcerated since late eve Sept 3 so missed some of these bulls. StDavid’s

RRock Med Ctr rm 359 phone 512 341-1359 and home phone forwards to my cell and cell phone too!

Problems with the first stent that are fixed now, I hope. Getting tired of this bs,

Sent before I finished so I’ll forward rhis one also. Not WX alert but related.

Thanks friends and neighbors for all the help - you know who you are. I will never be able to repay you.

Hard to type with both arms fulla tubes etc.

<b>
de Charlie, N5EXY, Grid EM10FL,</b>
<b>
South Suburban Greater Hutto</b>
Where am I? https://aprs.fi/#!call=a%2FN5EXY-9&timerange=3600&tail=3600

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[Tom_Whiteside_N5TW1]

Please ignore (unless you know Charlie). Charlie didn’t mean to send this to this group.

Tom N5TW

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