Evening Rita Update

State Call

• Not able to get a weather update, the call was dominated by Houston area as there are stranded vehicles blocking the highways (IH45 and 59) they are out of fuel and they need water to these folks. Houston wants military assets sent to take care of the situation. State has already been refueling vehicles and providing aid and are sending more resources to address the problem.


• Next update from the State at 10:30 tonight

Local Efforts

• Emmanuel has received evacuees and is expected to be at capacity soon.


• First Baptist Church is setting up as the First overflow site and are preparing


• First United Methodist is the second overflow and is preparing


• In addition there are shelters open in the immediate area to assist as well


• South Jefferson Baptist Church primary and overflow sites being developed. Contact point for Mt. Pleasant will be the Mount Pleasant Police Department.


• Maude Cobb is up and running in Longview and is a red cross facility


• The alert academy has 400 spaces available in Upshur County. Camp Gilmont and First United Methodist were making preparations.


• Texarkana Shelter open


• I had each advised to evaluate needs for supplies and such and notify if they need assistance. At this time no requests have been made. I do know that there are no cots and such available from the State right now and in each area this will be a local effort.


• Currently all of the evacuees coming in have been self-evacuees, they have their own transportation.


• Our local motels are full as well as the Bed and Breakfasts. I have not checked the State parks as they are out of our area of responsibility. The Fire Chief in Mt. Pleasant called and told me their motels were full as well.


• We have received or will receive evacuees at ETMC as well as Pittsburg nursing center.

 FUEL PROBLEMS HAVE SURFACED
There are a lot of people making runs on the local gas stations and it is causing shortages. The shortages are not because there was not or is not any fuel available but because of the number of people buying gas. Brookshire’s had to shut down, other stations are still up but may have some problems with re-supply as their regularly scheduled trucks may not be in until the first of next week. A few have told us that they will be getting re-supply tonight. May be a good idea to call before you go.
 This weekend may be hectic but now is the time for calm resolve and not panic. There are a lot of people working on a local level to ensure that the needs of this community are met and we need the support and cooperation of everyone here.
 A big THANKS goes out to all of you working the shelters and making preparation.
 Martin A. Pessink
Chief of Police
Pittsburg Police Department