League City Area News: Hurricane Rita Archive (2005)

Landscape Trees Damaged By Rita?

Don’t eliminate without careful evaluation

by Dr. William M. Johnson
Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture

October 19, 2005

Hurricane Rita left trees looking like there’s no tomorrow for many of our neighbors in East Texas and Louisiana. While most trees in our area escaped with relatively little damage, there were some instances where trees were blown over and many instances where major limbs were broken or damaged, foliage was shredded or stripped, or the bark had been torn or gouged. The remains of many trees can be seen but at first glance what may look like mortal wounds are not necessarily fatal to a tree.

Trees have an amazing ability to recover from storm damage. The first step is to assess the damage. Before writing off a damaged tree as a "goner," evaluate trees by asking the following questions...See article.

Gardening: More - Tree Q&As

Evacuation Plan Map

Click on the map or the text link to go to a larger map - File size 161 kb. Then click on that map to return.
(The larger map takes extra time to load.)

This map and the larger map is a quick composite of Return Maps from Governor Perry's Office by Marilyn Clark. The file size of each of the original maps was a little over 2,000 kb.

(The Return Maps are Copyright 2005 - Texas Department of Transportation)

Gov. Perry Calls on Rita Evacuees to Follow Plan for Safe Return Home

By Rick Perry, Governor of Texas
September 24, 2005

AUSTIN, Sep. 24, 2005 – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that state and local leaders have developed a plan to stagger the return of more than 2.5 million Hurricane Rita evacuees over at least three days to ensure that the affected areas are safe, fuel supplies are adequate and traffic keeps moving.

“If you return today, we cannot guarantee enough fuel, we cannot guarantee safety along the roads because of debris and down power lines, and we cannot ensure a fast return,” Perry said.

The Governor called on all school districts in the affected areas to remain closed Monday to provide evacuees with adequate time for a safe and orderly return. Perry said the staggered plan also would provide emergency workers with enough time to assess damage and ensure that neighborhoods are safe.

“We do not yet have enough fuel along the return routes and in Houston to accommodate the return of everyone who evacuated,” Perry said. “If Texans will be patient and follow this plan, they will find their return trip to be easier and more efficient.”

Perry urged evacuees to follow this schedule to ensure a safe and orderly return to coastal communities:

Sunday: Residents may return to communities west of I-45 and north of I-10, including residents of Tomball, The Woodlands, Waller, Hockley, Katy, Brookshire and surrounding communities.

Monday: Residents may return to communities west of I-45 and south of I-10, including residents of Richmond, Stafford, Rosenberg, Sugarland, Pearland and surrounding communities, plus all Houston residents inside Loop I-610. Monday

Tuesday: Residents may return to all remaining areas east of I-45 and north of I-10 up to the Liberty and Chamber county lines. Tuesday

State and local emergency officials continue to develop a plan for the safe return of evacuees to communities east of the Houston area that sustained the most damage from Hurricane Rita.

Earlier today, Perry asked fuel terminal owners and operators to begin refueling service stations as quickly as possible.

“We need to ensure there are adequate fuel supplies along the routes,” Perry said in a special announcement to fuel terminal operators. “If you will open your terminal throughout this weekend, we can begin refueling service stations along the major roadways.”

The Governor cautioned that evacuees should not begin returning to the affected areas ahead of the state schedule.

“I can’t say in strong enough terms to those who evacuated the coastal region that they should not begin their return for the time being,” Perry said. “We are not through assessing the damage and cannot assure you at this time that your community is safe to return to."

Texas: Larger Rita Return Plan Map
- A little extra time to load - file size 136k.

After Hurricane Rita

From the City of League City
September 25, 2005

School District Information

The Clear Creek Independent School District and other county ISDs will not be back in session until Thursday, September 29.

League City residents can come on home...

Galveston County residents can come back to the area although they should expect to see some spots of traffic. 95% of League City has power restored and some area businesses have already opened. Fuel is on the way...

LEAGUE CITY First Responders Requested to Return

Winds will begin to taper off as of 9am and first responders are requested to report to the EOC as soon as possible

Returning Rita Evacuees Can Call TxDOT Number for Road Conditions

Effort to Get Medical Personnel, Fuel into Impacted Areas Continues

By Rick Perry, Governor of Texas

September 27, 2005

HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the Texas Department of Transportation can provide coastal evacuees information on road conditions in Texas if they call a 1-800 number.

“As we begin the staggered return plan, Texans can find out the latest information on road conditions by dialing 1-800-452-9292,” Perry said. “Our effort remains focused on restocking impacted areas with fuel, food and water. We ask Texans to continue to be patient because of the sheer size of this re-supply effort.

Texas: More - Road Conditions

Attorney General Abbott Warns Against Exploiting Hurricane Rita Victims During Recovery Efforts

Investigators worked through weekend to avert exploitation of evacuees; will aggressively pursue price gouging, other unlawful acts targeting affected Texans

From the Office of Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas
September 27, 2005

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today warned about the continued threat of price gouging as his office received hundreds of reports over the weekend about businesses that tried to exploit displaced Texans who fled coastal areas in the wake of Hurricane Rita.

“In the coming days millions will go back to their homes and their lives. As they do so, I will not tolerate unscrupulous businesses and con men who prey upon those who have already faced a tremendous ordeal,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Unfortunately, price gouging and various types of scams often arise amid natural disasters, and my office will aggressively pursue those who engage in these activities.”

More than 500 complaints

More than 500 complaints alleging price gouging have been filed with the Attorney General since Wednesday, when the bulk of the evacuation began from the Texas Gulf Coast region. Consumers have been reporting inflated prices such as $199 per day for a rental car, $250 nightly motel stays, $30 for a case of bottled water, and $20 for a dozen eggs. The Office of the Attorney General is also investigating dozens of reports of gasoline allegedly priced between $5 and $15 a gallon.

Texas: More - Price Gouging

Projected Track of Hurricane Rita Photo credit: NOAA

Mayor Shults Makes Plea For Citizens To Adhere To Call For Mandatory Rita Evacuation

From the City of League City
September 21, 2005

LEAGUE CITY - - - Due to emanate threat posed by Hurricane Rita, Mayor Jerry Shults has declared a local emergency for the City of League City. He is urging League City residents to adhere to the Mandatory evacuation procedures outlined below.

Wednesday September 21, 2005 at 6:00 pm

the order for a mandatory evacuation for Galveston County will be in effect.

The following cities will begin evacuations at 6:00 pm

Galveston
Tiki Island
Bayou Vista
Kemah
Boliver
Bayview
Clear Lake Shores

Thursday September 22, 2005 at 2:00 am

the order for a mandatory evacuation of the following cities will be in effect:

Texas City
LaMarque
Dickinson
Hitchcock

Thursday September 22, 2005 at noon

the order for a mandatory evacuation of the following cities will be in effect:

League City
Friendswood

More Information

League City residents that live to the east of FM 270 will evacuate on 146, (Remember, if you leave after 6:00 pm Wednesday, you will have to go 146 to Nacogdoches) residents that live to the west of FM 270 will evacuate on I45. (Remember if you leave after 6:00 pm on Wednesday you will have to go North on I-45)

Pets may be taken but they must be in carriers

Southbound traffic to the island will be shut down at Exit 5 on Wednesday at 6:00 pm

Citizens are urged to monitor local television stations for information on the progress of Hurricane Rita, and to monitor the city’s webpage at www.leaguecity.com, click on “city government” for information as to when it is safe to return to League City and surrounding areas.

UH-Clear Lake Announces Hurricane Rita Closure

From The Office of Communications at University of Houston-Clear Lake

September 21, 2005

CLEAR LAKE, September 20, 2005 - Due to the threat of Hurricane Rita, University of Houston-Clear Lake will close Wednesday, Sept. 21, through Sunday, Sept. 25. This includes all UH-Clear Lake classes, both on campus and off campus, and all events scheduled at UH-Clear Lake. At this time, the university plans to open for normal operations on Monday, Sept. 26. For updates, call the UH-Clear Lake hotline, 281-283-2221, or visit the university's Web site http://www.uhcl.edu.