Hurricane Ike Recovery Response

HURRICANE IKE RECOVERY RESPONSE Hurricane Ike was the third most destructive hurricane to make landfall in U.S. history with an estimated $22 billion in damages to Texas. Ike’s damage started September 12, 2008 with a 12 foot storm surge flooding 75% of Galveston Island and made landfall September 13. Hurricane Ike sustained winds (110mph) were considered a Category Two, only being one mile per hour from a Category Three (111mph). Ike’s storm surge was considered that of a Category Five. Texas Gulf Coastal Communities are devastated by the slow recovery process provided by the Federal Government. FEMA’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) response was slow in providing food, water, housing, and other necessities for victims. FEMA arrived two days after the hurricane with supplies. American Red Cross was first to respond in Galveston the day after Ike made landfall. Major damage to homes consisted of roof damage, flooding (up to six feet of water), sides of buildings crumbled, and entire homes destroyed. FEMA promised Texas 300 trailers per week for the worst hit areas being the first to receive them. After six weeks fewer than 200 trailers had been provided for Texas residents. Many people remained in tent communities waiting for a place to live. People were not willing to quit their jobs and relocate. As Galveston residents remained in San Antonio and Austin in shelters FEMA insisted apartments was available in the Houston/Galveston area. The few apartment vacancies in existence were too expensive for people to pay. The majority of the homeless left in these shelter were elderly people, women, and children having only a fixed or limited income. Galveston Mayor, Lyda Ann Thomas, pleaded with FEMA for 500 trailers for homeless Galveston residents only to receive 54 trailers six months later. FEMA refused to set up temporary mobile home parks because of their experience with Hurricane Katrina in Alabama and Louisiana. Temporary mobile home