Published: 09-19-08
Urges Displaced Residents to Stay Put; Power Restored to More Than 1.3 Million
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today surveyed storm damage surrounding the Angleton and Livingston areas and visited with local officials assuring them of the state’s continued support through the entire restoration process.
“The winds have died down but the folks around here know better than anyone that we have a long road to recovery ahead of us” said Gov. Perry. “I am confident that the state of Texas is equal to the task because I believe the leaders in our hardest hit communities have proven they are up to the challenges presented in this tough time.”
As of Thursday afternoon 211 shelters were open throughout the state housing more than 21941 evacuees; more than 1360 truckloads of water and 1201 truckloads of ice have been distributed by the state throughout the storm-affected areas.
To date power has been restored to more than 1.3 million customers; however nearly 1.57 million remain without power. More than 9500 personnel from across the nation are working with power companies around the clock to restore electricity. In the meantime the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing generators to large-scale facilities in greatest need of electricity including hospitals prisons shelters and emergency operations centers.
Nearly 100 percent of terminals are operating with some on generator power. More than 55 percent of retail fuel stations have resumed operations.
“I completely understand that people want to get back to their homes and start rebuilding their lives but their return will place an unnecessary burden on vital resources like food water and fuel and weigh down recovery efforts” Perry said. “I urge all displaced Texans to remain patient and stay where they are until local officials deem their neighborhoods are safe enough for their return.”
To help Texans determine whether power has been restored to their communities the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas has a web feature that allows customers to check power outages by entering their utility provider and zip code at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/files/ike.cfm.
At the order of Gov. Perry a hotel/motel tax waiver is effective Sept. 8 2008 through Oct. 14 2008 which suspends the collection of the state and local hotel and motel taxes under the Texas Tax Code for victims of Hurricane Ike. For assistance or information regarding the waiver please visit the Comptroller of Public Accounts website at: http://window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/disaster_relief_faq.html or call 1-800-252-5555.
At the state’s request federal transitional housing assistance is available to Texas evacuees with inaccessible or uninhabitable homes. A constantly updated list of approved hotels/motels can be found at: www.femaevachotels.com. To register for transitional housing assistance visit www.fema.gov or call toll free at 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585.
Texas residents who have been displaced by Hurricane Ike who evacuated to another state may call 1-877-541-7905 to reach the Texas 2-1-1 network and obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or seek additional assistance.
Texas residents displaced by Hurricane Ike who evacuated to another area of Texas may call 2-1-1 from any Texas landline or Texas cell phone to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or seek additional assistance.
For a comprehensive overview of the state’s activity related to Hurricane Ike response and recovery please visit the Hurricane Center on the governor’s website at: http://www.governor.state.tx.us.
