Camp County Responds to Rita

   Rita is growing.  The latest information from the State Operations Center is for Rita to dramatically increase to a potentially catastrophic category 4 or 5 hurricane (5 is the highest on the scale - massive damage).  Further, it has a high probability of striking the Texas Coast by Saturday.
    The 1,700 responders from Texas (state agency personnel and national guard aircraft) currently in Louisiana are being recalled to Texas.
    Evacuations from the impacted areas will be inevitable.  Due to the timelines associated with evacuating thousands of people, this will no doubt be in high gear by Wednesday. 
    If the storm continues on its predicted path, Camp County will likely receive evacuees from the Texas Coast.  We are in an unprecedented situation, considering that we have about 400,000 evacuees already in the state from Hurricane Katrina.  This is a serious situation as a great number of motels/hotels are full with Katrina evacuees awaiting temporary housing in rental properties.
    I have spoken with Mrs. Hawkins about our Shelter and Mass-Care Annex (Attached).  I have spoken, or left messages, with local officials about this situation.  
    I have been called to the State Operations Center in Austin to help with the preparations for the state's response.  I will have to leave this afternoon.  I will be available via cell phone (903.856.8030), e-mail and telephone at 512-424-2208 (ask for the Texas Forest Service desk) while there.  I will remain in contact with our local officials by these means, and will be providing updates to all of you via e-mail.  In my absence, Pittsburg Police Chief Martin Pessink will fill in for me.  He can be reached at 903-856-7201 or 856-3330.  Please copy me in on all e-mail correspondence.
 -DavidDavid AbernathyFire ChiefCity of PittsburgEmergency Management CoordinatorCamp County / City of Pittsburg