Updates
RE-ENTRY: When Can I Go Home?
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Monday, September 29 - 3:51pm
Latest Ike Update from TWC
The Texas Workforce Commission has received approval for a $15.9 million National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide 600 temporary jobs to assist with disaster recovery, as well as to provide humanitarian assistance. TWC had taken nearly 65,000 unemployment claims as a result of Hurricane Ike. -
Friday, September 26 - 9:26am
Latest Ike Update from OneStar Foundation
OneStar Foundation, administrator of the State Service Commission, coordinated with the Corporation for National and Community Service for the engagement of 18 teams of National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members to assist in Hurricane Ike relief efforts. The contingent of more than 150 members has been working with the Red Cross, Salvation Army, 2-1-1, United Way and FEMA. AmeriCorps NCCC is a national service leadership program for young people ages 18 to 24. -
Thursday, September 25 - 3:11pm
Latest Ike Update from TEA
At least nine school districts in the Houston-Southeast Texas area plan to reopen today. For a status report on districts and charters impacted by Hurricane Ike, please go to: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/hurricane/schclosings.html. -
Wednesday, September 24 - 4:43pm
Latest Ike Update from PUC
Entergy Texas continues restoring electrical service to customers affected by Hurricane Ike. At 11 a.m., the outage report shows that 383,826, or 98 percent, of the Texas customers affected by Hurricane Ike now have power, with 8,774 still in need of electricity. -
Wednesday, September 24 - 10:32am
New update from OneStar TexasResponds
Currently, 23 national and state volunteer organizations, including faith-based organizations, providing recovery services to victims are registered to accept bulk donations of goods and services and to post their needs. As of 9/23/08 over $20 million of goods and services have been offered and of that $225,463 in goods has already been accepted including portable toilets, drinking water and interior and exterior cleaning supplies for homes. -
Wednesday, September 24 - 10:25am
Latest Ike Update from TEA
The Texas Education Agency is moving a total of $1 million to the Education Service Center Regions VI (Huntsville) and VII (Kilgore) for assistance to area school districts that were either directly impacted by Hurricane Ike or provided shelters to evacuees. This money is in addition to a total of $2 million already provided to service centers in Regions IV (Houston) and V (Beaumont). -
Monday, September 22 - 11:27am
Latest Hurricane Ike Updates from Entergy
As of 5 a.m. on Monday, Hurricane Ike outages in Texas numbered 54,199. 338,401 customers have been restored, or 86%, from the peak outage of 392,600. -
Monday, September 22 - 11:17am
Latest Ike Update from TWC
TWC had taken almost 11,000 claims as a result of Hurricane Ike. The agency has established temporary workforce centers in evacuation centers in Austin, Anderson, Bedias, Corsicana, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Austin, and across the state to assist those affected by the disaster with assistance filing disaster-related unemployment claims. -
Monday, September 22 - 11:13am
Latest Ike Update from TDI
Commissioner Geeslin is in the field and will make several visits to the impacted areas on Monday. TDI staff are assisting consumers at FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in East Texas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, and are awaiting opening of several additional DRCs this week. All other TDI activities continuing. -
Monday, September 22 - 11:03am
Latest Ike Update from TAHC
The TAHC’s Area Command continues operations in the TAHC headquarters in Austin, with on-site representatives from the USDA’s Veterinary Services, Animal Care, and National Resources Conservation Services; the Texas Department of Agriculture, and TXSART. The TAHC also is represented at the State Operations Center and is in close contact with livestock industry representatives. The Area Command may be reached at 800-550-8242, ext 296. -
Monday, September 22 - 10:59am
Latest Ike Update from DPS
DPS continues to man roadblocks, provide security, handle traffic management and assist in shelter sex offender compliance. DPS is assisting the Houston Police Department with traffic duties and 100 additional troopers are preparing for deployment to Galveston. -
Monday, September 22 - 10:51am
Ike News Update from Texas Parks & Wildlife
This week on Galveston Island, TPWD has been tasked to deploy 50 game wardens to meet with 100 DPS troopers to assist with law enforcement and traffic control. A total of 13 Texas State Parks remain closed due to Ike, down from 37 closures at the event’s height. -
Monday, September 22 - 10:46am
List of Valero Stores Open For Business Throughout Southern Region
Status of Valero stores open for business across Texas Gulf Region as of 9/22: 169 of 184 stores = 90% 13 stores operating on generators 1 store lost power after having power restored (not included in open totals) Download list here. -
Monday, September 22 - 10:21am
Visit Texas Responds to Donate Goods, Services and Time for Victims of Ike
A state website portal, www.TexasResponds.org is collecting offers of bulk supplies, goods and services, volunteers and cash donations to be used by volunteer organizations that provide direct assistance to victims now and throughout long-term recovery. If unable to access the website, donors can call 512-287- 2012. -
Monday, September 22 - 9:37am
Latest Ike Update from TFS
Regional Staging areas seeing a sharp decline in the need for commodities in many counties affected by Hurricane Ike. Power companies say power could still be days away for many -
Sunday, September 21 - 9:14am
Latest Ike Update from TFS
Regional Staging areas start seeing a decline in the need for commodities in many counties affected by Hurricane Ike. Power companies say power could still be days away for many. -
Saturday, September 20 - 1:21pm
Latest Ike Update from HHSC
HHSC has offices open across Southeast and Central Texas this weekend to help low-income Ike victims apply for emergency food stamps. Hurricane victims also may pick up and drop off applications at Abundant Life Cathedral, 11230 Harwin Drive in Houston. -
Saturday, September 20 - 1:17pm
Latest Ike Update from TDSHS
Texas Department of State Health Services is coordinating work of an Applied Health Team of federal and state experts including epidemiologists, sanitarians and a disaster response engineer to support local jurisdictions affected by Hurricane Ike in community and shelter assessments and recovery operations. -
Saturday, September 20 - 9:33am
Latest Ike Update from TFS
Saw crews start making headway in southeast Texas by clearing roads and getting downed trees removed. -
Friday, September 19 - 4:11pm
State Rolls Out Shorter Application for Disaster Food Stamps
Texans in counties declared a disaster area due to Hurricane Ike can now apply for disaster food stamps using a shorter, two-page application. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has posted the new application in English and Spanish on its website at http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us.
Helpful Phone Numbers
Evacuation Information: 2-1-1FEMA: 1-800-621-3362
Food Stamps: 1-800-221-5689
American Red Cross: 1-800-733-2767
Texas Attorney General Office: 1-800-252-8011
(Report Price Gouging)
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-525-5555
TxDOT Statewide Road Closures: 1-800-452-9292
Relay Service: 7-1-1
(Hearing Impaired and Visual Disabilities)