Monthly Archives: September 2008

This is a big problem. [T]his year’s succession of disasters has overwhelmed donors, nonprofit leaders believe. Additionally, people are holding on tighter to their money because of the uncertain economy. Bush asked for contributions to the American Red Cross in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

We made it back to Houston last night without incident, and I am going to brave the streets to go to the office for at least a few hours. Technically, I don’t have to – it’s closed for anyone who … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s been wondering what happened to all those people who stayed behind in Galveston during Ike. As the hurricane closed in, authorities estimated that 90,000 people ignored evacuation orders along the Gulf Coast. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The following photo was taken by Kenneth Fair: Kenneth writes in his caption: “This view is from the south, showing the southwest and southeast sides of the building. The topmost missing window is on the 47th floor. From about the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Julie, who lives in a flood surge zone, has a question: I live by quite a few superfund sites—chemical and manufacturing plants. In fact, my area is home to “the nation’s largest concentration of chemical plants and refineries,” many of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Paul Burka will be flying over Galveston today. He has a report on the scene via a phone conversation with Galveston’s State Rep. Craig Eiland: Behind the seawall, the worst damage was from flooding north of Broadway. Galveston floods from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Mayor White says we need ice. One of the biggest problems Houston faces in the wake of Hurricane Ike is a shortage of ice, Mayor Bill White said today, pledging to seek assistance from all possible sources, both private and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

It’s really hard reading this story about Galveston’s current state. In this ruined city, reduced to such an unlivable state that its mayor wants all remaining residents gone, searchers made their way through 90 percent of the inundated neighborhoods. So … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Apparently, there’s been some confusion over the point-of-distribution (POD) sites and who is supposed to be in charge of them. A federal official Monday described the Houston-area delay of distribution of food, ice and water in the wake of Hurricane … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The good news is that so far there have been very few fatalities from Hurricane Ike. The bad news is just about everything else. Federal emergency workers today opened six Houston-area distribution sites for food and water, with plans to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Alison Cook offers a remembrance of Brennan’s Restaurant, which burned down while Ike was in town. I guess I thought Brennan’s of Houston would always be there, a timeless bubble of ease and cordiality in a world where such qualities … Continue reading → Continue reading →

From the corporate home office: The City of Houston is in need of volunteers to assist with setting up and supporting two shelters in the Houston community. The shelters will be used to house local individuals that have lost their … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The following is from Houston City Council Member Melissa Noriega: If you are reading this, you are blessed–you are connected! Just a few things for your reading audience: There is beginning to be ice and water coming in. Some stores … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’ve received the following email from Galveston native Joe Jaworski: “Just spent 2 hours on the island with mayor, city manager and city department heads. They are brave heroes for riding this destructive storm out. We had to navigate army … Continue reading → Continue reading →

It’s gonna take awhile. Houston Mayor Bill White said this morning ice and fresh water are on the way, although he couldn’t give a timetable. He said fuel is being distributed first to those with “critical needs,” such as hospitals … Continue reading → Continue reading →