[FishinGrl]

As most of you know, my dad is a Captain of Galveston Fire Department and he says that galveston is "unlivable". The West End (past the seawall) is still underwater, where the seawall begins, the houses got at least 5 ft of water to about 61st street. he does not know about the area from then on. i do know that in fish village the water rose at least 1ft. if you have condos in the port aux prince you got at least 3 inches. all down 25th street was horrible and got "cases"of water.

WHEN CAN WE GO BACK?
as of right now they said tuesday, my dad just called and they are going to extend that. maybe a couple more days so right now plan on staying put for a while. Galveston has no electricity, and no water adn gas is running out trying to save everyone.

WHAT DO WE BRING WHEN WE GO BACK?
water, and lotts of it. All the homes toilets back washed and there are no flushable toilets in galveston, the sewers also backed up. you may want to have extra gas. flashlights, extra clothes, non perishable foods, a camera, bleach, trash bags and wipes to wipe down..no electricity.

I KNOW PEOPLE ON GALVESTON WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?
tell them to go to ball high school, red cross and FEMA are there and they are helping the injured, giving food, and busses are going to evacuate them. if they they are in their homes with a camera or phone, tell them to take as many pictures as they can of the damage in your home.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
if you have insurance, you need to call them now! they take 5 days to get back with you. They will give you a claim number and let you know what you need to do. the bad news is that you can only make your home livable when you go back, everything has to be seen by the adjuster, cut out labels on all your food.

IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK AND I WILL TRY MY BEST TO ANSWER THEM OR GET MY DAD TO ANSWER THEM.

GOD BLESS GALVESTON,
VALLORY

 

[mastercylinder60]

good info, val.

 

[CAPSIZED]

What if we want to go pick someone up who is stuck in Galveston? Who do we talk to to get into the city or have someone picked up and brought to the Causeway?

 

[mulebelly]

can i see if your dad can go by my daughters house and see if its still there?i am a 31 year veteran of the dallas fire dept.will try to get our usar team to check,they are in galveston but am unable to contact them.please advise me.

 

[FishinGrl]

What if we want to go pick someone up who is stuck in Galveston? Who do we talk to to get into the city or have someone picked up and brought to the Causeway?

unfortunately you cannot...my best friend drove from atlanta to get his mom and they would not let him on and she could not get off. she had to go through one of the fema busses. i would suggest telling your friend to go to fema at ball high school adn taking it to san antonio..there you can pick them up. its really restricted..

 

[FishinGrl]

can i see if your dad can go by my daughters house and see if its still there?i am a 31 year veteran of the dallas fire dept.will try to get our usar team to check,they are in galveston but am unable to contact them.please advise me.

private message me your daughters address and i will do my best to get him over there or find out about it..he has been really good about checking on homes for me..

 

[kenny]

Val I know the water was deep at the end of the seawall/beginning of 3005, That's where it always washes out, but video from the West end shows 3005 and the communities including Jamaica Beach pretty much intact. There's still flooding from the bay side in the canals and the beachfront houses and Texas Campground were damaged or destroyed.
When will they let residents back on Galveston do you figure? Later this week?

 

[RECONER]

Fishingrl I sent you a PM

 

[Slimp]

My house is at 37th and Q 1/2. Any thoughts about damage? To all, It can always be worse. If you are reading this, it can always be worse............................... Its all material!!!!!

 

[Jack Hexter]

Don't want to hijack this thread, but it seems as good a place as any to add my comments.

Most of you don't know me, but Mont is a friend who I've met several times and fished with on my boat in Florida. I lived in Homestead, FL in 1992 and went thru Andrew. I was one of the lucky ones, My house was still standing after the storm, but every window was blown out (even those under the hurricane awnings - most of the awnings blew away and the chimney blew off at the roofline) The house was declared uninhabitable, even though we used it until temporary housing was arranged. That might give me a little credibility.

Things you will need or want to have to make your life easier:

First thing you will need is ice and water take a lot of it with you and keep it coming. It will be hot while cleaning up and you don't need to be dehydrated or you'll end up in the Hospital (my wife had this happen and spent two days there)

Next thing, get a Tetnus shot - You will cut yourself, step on a nail or get a splinter or something. Better safe than sorry.

If your home is still standing, tarps (or tar paper)to dry in your home, plus 1 by 2 or similar lumber and 8 penny nails to hold the tarps down. You will also find button caps or roofing nails and tin caps very handy. You may also want to find and get some roof bull. You will also need ladders to get onto the roof.

A chainsaw comes in handy for cutting trees, poles, etc. Don't forget a blade file or 3 as the constant use will dull the blade (maybe even pick up an extra blade.

If you don't have one, find a generator, at least a 5 KW - 8 KW and some #10 wire and a 220 Plug that fit's the generator's 220 output, so you can wire the generator into your panel. First, trip the main breaker, even pull the meter if you can. You will need extra gas for running this machine. Turn off all unnecessary breakers, (Water heater, stove, microwave, etc) Use the generator to run refrig, freezer (if necessary), lights, ceiling fans, one TV and maybe a 110V wall banger or temp AC unit in the bedroom ( if you are living there)

If your home is run on LP or Natural gas, you are golden - you can run a washer and dryer (heat is gas, not electric) water heater, (cold showers get old) If you are on a well or have a well for a sprinkler, you are golden - you can back feed a sprinkler pump/well thru a hose bib and run water into the home - this is if city water is out - turn off the water at the main so you are not trying to feed the whole block

Your insurance should cover temporary living expenses. After Andrew, some people took these funds and found motels or apartments, I purchased a 3/2 80'x14' moblie home which was mine to sell after repairs were complete (It took me 2 1/2 years before we moved back into our home, but that's a different story.)

Fuel burning camp stoves are a blessing - as is an old camp perculartor for coffee in the AM.

You will experience a LOT of flat tires - wind pulls shingles and paper off roofs, and with them come the roofing nails. You will run over them. Get several packs of tire plugs and a tool to use them. A compresser helps blow them back up - doesn't have to be big, a cigarette lighter one will get the job done, just not in a hurry.

It took us 8 weeks to get electricity back and 3 months to get phone service.

Hope this helps someone

Patience and God Bless

 

[TXDRAKE]

FG,

Who is your Dad? I worked for the Galveston Fire Dept. for ten years?

 

[FishinGrl]

Val I know the water was deep at the end of the seawall/beginning of 3005, That's where it always washes out, but video from the West end shows 3005 and the communities including Jamaica Beach pretty much intact. There's still flooding from the bay side in the canals and the beachfront houses and Texas Campground were damaged or destroyed.
When will they let residents back on Galveston do you figure? Later this week?

Right now we are planning on Thursday but everyday my dad calls and they make it later, they are saying no electricity and water for at least a month. i will keep posting i promise, my dad is the first to know adn he calls us asap.

 

[FishinGrl]

FG,

Who is your Dad? I worked for the Galveston Fire Dept. for ten years?

Richard Rico..i dont look like him? lol

 

[shaka]

BIG THANKS...FROM ALL

SOME NEWS IS BETTER THAN NO NEWS, MY PARENTS LIVE IN GALVESTON DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM MOODY GARDENS- SEC3 OF HARVE LAFETE.(EX-SPELLING). WE'VE BEEN TRYNA GET SOME INFORMATION(THANKS LADY-THERES STILL HOPE)...I JUST WANNA SAY THANKS/PRAYERS TO ALL IN THIS SAD MOMENTS, LETS ALL BE THANKFUL FOR LIFE, LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. TIMES LIKE THIS BRINGS US(MOST) ALL CLOSER. H.P.D. HAS US ON 12-18 HRS, IM DONT GET TO SEE THE GOODSIDE OF PEOPLE TO MUCH, BUT 2COOL ALWAYS RESTORES MY FAITH. THANKS AGAIN, I PRAY FOR US ALL.....MAY NOT BE CHRISTIAN-LIKE BUT I PRAY THERES A SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL FOR THE LOOTERS.....

 

[Saltwater Servitude]

Gotta put this out there since it hasn't been mention here.

BUG SPRAY. Deep Woods Off or similar high DEET content. Also, Raid for fire ant nests you're going to find in inconveniet places. I really suggest Raid Wasp and Hornet. You can shoot it farther and it kills so much faster than regular fire ant sprays.

 

[PrisonerOnGalvetraz]

Thanks for the updates, FishinGrl. I live a few blocks from Kenney, on th bay side of JB, and am chomping at the bit to see my home. It's so hard t see all the destruction on the news.....I'm really sad and stressed. Your information and this forum have been the most helpful info I can find. Thanks again for your help.

Wayne

 

[TXDRAKE]

Richard Rico..i dont look like him? lol

FG,

Rico, theres a name a I haven't heard in awhile!!!! Tell him that Jason Davenport said hello and that we are wishing him and the others the very best and to stay low!! Tell him and the rest of the Fellas, JOB WELL DONE!! Also, he has some good genes because your absoloutley Gorgeous!!!!

 

[FishinGrl]

FG,

Rico, theres a name a I haven't heard in awhile!!!! Tell him that Jason Davenport said hello and that we are wishing him and the others the very best and to stay low!! Tell him and the rest of the Fellas, JOB WELL DONE!! Also, he has some good genes because your absoloutley Gorgeous!!!!

haha i will, he called us thi morning as he was going in..hes exhausted. and THANKS! that was sweet!

 

[FishinGrl]

TO ALL, i will keep you posted as my dad finds out everything first then lets us know right away.

please do not believe the following rumor right away..we think they are just trying to scare everyone on the island into leaving..my dad is finding more truth to this
"you must be off the island with your belongings in 10 days, we will comdemn the island then"

 

[FishinGrl]

I AM GOING TO LEAVE ARLINGTON NOW, THEY ARE SUPPOSEDLY LETTING PEOPLE ON GALVESTON FOR 10 DAYS TO GET THEIR STUFF, BECAUSE THE ISLAND IS CONTAMINATED..I WILL KEEP IN TOUCH..