On this last Thursday, The Office of Emergency Management held a Town Hall meeting for residents of Texas City. There to speak were experts in Extreme Weather and Emergency Management as well as representatives from numerous organizations that are ready to assist when disaster strikes. From high water to flooding; from Dangerous Materials Incidents to full-fledged Storm Surge, Tornado or Hurricane events, Galveston County Recovers, TWIA, Bay Area Habitat for Humanity, were present to support Emergency Management Director Tom Munoz for an Evening of Information to Save Lives.
Since our area has not fully recovered from the destructive forces of Harvey…or Ike for that matter, Bay Area Habitat for Humanity and Galveston County Recovers were on hand to encourage those still waiting, those who have found it difficult to navigate the red tape involved in receiving the kind of help needed to reassure them that there is help. It is difficult to accept that long term recovery from a disaster like Harvey can take years and years and full recovery is almost impossible when so many already vulnerable citizens receive a punch like Harvey delivered. So shining a light on those still in need becomes equally as important as educating those who did not experience the full force of the disaster.
William Splitgerber, the new Executive Director of Bay Area Habitat for Humanity was on hand to announce a collaborative effort among several organizations; Galveston County Recovers and Samaritan’s Purse, to focus on the 500+ most needy cases; many living in severely damaged mobile homes to this day. He told the story of the Good Samaritan, who helped his enemy when the man’s neighbors would not. It was a reminder of all the first responders, all the neighbors, who left their water soaked homes to help those who had lost theirs completely and all the volunteers who have continued to come, time and time again, to offer their time and expertise to those still living in homes with no walls…or worse.
The most vital information may well have been the emphasis placed on Planning and Neighborhood Coordination & Preparation. In this fast-moving world, all too often we do not know all our neighbors. The couple next door that just bought the home, the elderly couple that rented the little house on the corner, that chihuahua that you see strolling down the middle of your street in the mornings as if he owned it; who does he belong to? Neighborhoods change and you may well not know there is a disabled person living alone just one block over. Might be that the guy across the street isn’t your favorite person but would you not reach out to him in the event of an emergency?
These are questions that we really don’t get around to asking on a regular basis. When the flooding begins is not the ideal time to begin wondering about that little chihuahua and his owner. So, the idea is to encourage homeowners to HAVE A PLAN NOW. Talk to your neighbors. If you don’t know them, introduce yourselves. Find out who, if anyone, has special needs and alert your neighbors so you aren’t the only ones who are aware.
The Texas City website has comprehensive information, as well as links to the many other websites and Facebook pages that provide everything from Checklists to locations for Food, areas where flooding may be more severe, evacuation instructions, and links to the many Social Services available to you here On the Mainland.
The Post will be featuring informational articles in print and online that The Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management is making available to ensure that Texas City is Educated, Invested and Prepared for whatever challenges may come whether they are natural or manmade beginning here and throughout the Hurricane Season.
One More Reminder: Heat can kill. Never leave a pet, a child an elderly person in a car unattended. Well over 800 children have died of heatstroke because of being left in a car “for just a minute” that was much longer. There are no statistics for animals because most go unreported. The truth is it can happen in a matter of minutes leaving whole families destroyed by such a devastating event. Slow down, check the backseat before you lock it; and never walk away from your car without looking back one last time.
