Update on Shelter Needs

SHELTERING INFO
It is the intent for all shelters (other than those operated by the American Red Cross - ARC) to be closed very soon and the evacuees placed in either motels, hotels, or temporary housing (rental property or apartments). The state of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced yesterday that funding was being released for ALL evacuees of Hurricane Katrina to immediately receive $2,000.00 in federal assistance, plus free transportation to anyplace in the nation. The transportation is to all them to re-locate with family, friends, or just re-locate to another area. Many have already taken advantage of this. Additionally, until the temporary housing can be acquired, or the evacuees can return to their own communities, the federal government will pay for their lodging in hotels/motels. For the latter to occur, a host city or county government will confirm and authorize the payment. The $2,000.00 can be used for anything the evacuees choose - fuel, meals, clothing, etc.

The process can be done easily by registering via a toll-free number or on-line. There are 29,000 telephone operators on duty now, with that number growing to 49,000 by this weekend. Some folks, with a direct deposit account set up at a local bank, have received their money in less than 24 hours of registering. Shelters are being closed across the state on a daily basis as the evacuees are taking advantage of the above-mentioned opportunities.

The American Red Cross shelters (all support functions are furnished by the ARC) will be closing after the other shelters have been closed. Census counts in practically all shelters are lowering.

LOCALLY
Locally, some of us met at the Emmanuel Church yesterday afternoon. The shelter accommodations there will remain intact for a while longer. It must be remembered that we are still in hurricane season and potentially evacuations could be associated with another storm. There are four tropical systems in place right now. I just completed a conference call, which included a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, and the current models show for Ophelia to have a really low percentage to come into the Gulf. However, there is a system currently in the western Gulf. It doesn't have much structure but will remain in place for some time to come. The NWS will be monitoring all of these systems very closely.

Thanks so much for your concern and efforts. Once again, Camp County is much better prepared than we were. More of our community is understanding that a plan is in place and that it is structured along the same pattern as those of all other jurisdictions in the state.

WILDFIRE DANGER
On another note, after we conferred about the local drought situation, County Judge Combest issued a Ban on Outdoor Burning beginning today for an indefinite period. Wildfires are becoming difficult to control and, according to fire behavior specialists with the Texas Forest Service, we are as dry now as we have been all summer. Local and state fire personnel fought a wildfire east of Pittsburg on Monday for over five hours. Another fire occurred north of Pittsburg while that one was on-going. The vegetation and ground moisture are so dry that root systems are burning deep into the ground making extinguishment difficult and a lengthy process.

-David Abernathy
Fire Chief
City of Pittsburg