Helping out after the hurricane

The area you are talking of is further south, but Rockport has so many power poles snapped off or on the ground they are estimating it will take a few weeks for poles and wires to be replaced ---- THEN they need transmission lines from the substation that services the area run to the town. They are estimating it could be a couple of months before some people even have any power. The clean up operations are being hampered because of no power. They are not letting residents come back until utilities are restored. They may only be at their homes from 7am - 7pm working on clean-up and it has been indicated that you may have to show proof of residency to be allowed into the town.

rothdieter, let us know your plans based on what agency or organization contacts you have been able to make.

Thank you all for rewponding. I just had to do something.

Dieter Roth

The areas hit along the coast do not even have cell service back yet. They also have not had time to assess the damage in their respective areas. They have no power, gas or water. Live wires are still down in the streets along with trees and roads are still impassable from debris. Homeowners/business owners only are currently being allowed in Rockport to check their properties and must leave by 7pm each night. They are not allowing them to come back until water, electric, gas and sewer services have been restored which could take a couple of weeks. It will be awhile before they let other than residents into the areas.

Tyler0215 wrote:
Wait a month or so till things quiet down and damages are known. They have a lot bigger problems right now than your winter plans.

You got it. :)

rothdieter, what a wonderful person you are to give of your time to help out. AND you are bringing your own housing with you which takes the pressure off of the housing situation. One thought would be to maybe contact your own Michigan parks department (which generally may have some communication with other state parks departments at least once a year) to more easily obtain specialized contact information for what you wish to do for Texas state parks. It's worth a shot! Right now, it is likely that most Texas government phone lines for any of the agencies are tied up at this time. However, a specialized number might be available, but not published.

Wait a month or so till things quiet down and damages are known. They have a lot bigger problems right now than your winter plans.

I would contact the Texas Parks & Wildlife directly if you would like to help with a specific park.

Texas Parks & Wildlfe

One bit of good news: The Big Tree at Goose Island State Park in Rockport survived the storm!

GO here
https://tpwd.samaritan.com//recruiter/index.php?class=VolunteerNavigation&recruiterID=1353&act=CONTROL:OPP_SEARCH_LINK