Lone Star carders will have to buy more ready-to-eat food.
This was just reported on Shep ... he also spoke with a survivor who hacked his way out of his water-filled home.
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City officials to allow ‘look and leave’ today
By Dolph Tillotson and Rhiannon Meyers
The Daily News
Published September 16, 2008
GALVESTON — City officials said Tuesday morning that they will permit what’s called a “look and leave” visit today by island residents.
Citizens with valid Galveston identification will be permitted onto the island from noon to 6 p.m. today. At 6 p.m., the mandatory evacuation order and curfew will go back into full effect. City police will be enforcing the curfew.
Residents will be allowed to see their houses and assess the damage, but they must leave, city manager Steve LeBlanc was overheard telling police officers this morning.
Police officers will mark cars with white shoe polish as they come over the Causeway with the letters “LL” meaning “look and leave.” Officers will patrol the streets to ensure those cars are gone by curfew.
“This is being done just for folks who are concerned about their property,” an official said. “The island still is unlivable, and people should not be coming back to stay. This just being done to help alleviate the anxiety of some of our folks who really want to know what’s going on.”
To get on the island, you must have identification that shows you live in Galveston. Returning residents should expect long lines and heavy traffic as officers check every car before they allow it on the island.
Residents should also be aware there is no electricity or gas or water. Traffic signals don’t work. Stop signs and street signs are gone. Few stores, if any, are open. You can only get food or water at National Guard distribution points or Salvation Army kitchens, and many island residents who stayed on the island are relying on that.
Mosquitoes are rampant and streets are covered in filth. There are downed power lines, dead animals and debris in many places still. Debris-covered streets are causing flat tires, and there is no place to seek repairs.
When residents and business owners arrive, they should immediately shut off their breakers if they haven’t already done so. Firefighters fretted that power surges, when electricity is finally switched on, will spark fires. Residents and business owners should also shut off gas and water.
There still is no official word when the evacuation will be lifted, and the island still is without power, running water, food, medical care and the other essentials of life.
http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=9b3d94448242c55c
Those reporters are still reporting.