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Updated: 5:34 PM Sep 25, 2005
Clean Up Begins Along Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast
The clean up began Sunday along the hurricane-stricken Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast. Posted: 5:35 PM Sep 25, 2005 |
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Texas and Louisiana are bouncing back after Hurricane Rita's passage.
Rescuers in southern Louisiana continue searching areas where hundreds of people may be trapped by floodwaters. An official in Iberia Parish says "so many people" didn't evacuate.
Houston is reopening by regions over the next three days. Almost three million people will be headed back to town. Gov. Rick Perry is urging people to stick with that schedule to avoid gridlock.
STAGGERED RETURN SCHEDULE
Sunday: Residents may return to communities west of I-45 and north of I-10, including residents of Tomball, The Woodlands, Waller, Hockley, Katy, Brookshire and surrounding communities.
Monday: Residents may return to communities west of I-45 and south of I-10, including residents of Richmond, Stafford, Rosenberg, Sugarland, Pearland and surrounding communities, plus all Houston residents inside Loop I-610.
Tuesday: Residents may return to all remaining areas east of I-45 and north of I-10 up to the Liberty and Chamber county lines.
Commercial airline service to Houston has resumed. About 300,000 people still don't have electricity around the city.
Utilities officials say service has been restored for over a-half million people.
Residents of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange are being told to stay where they are and not return yet. Water and sewer services aren't up and running there.
Harris County Tax Collector-Assessor Paul Bettencourt Sunday estimated Hurricane Rita caused "tens of millions of dollars" in structural damage in the Houston area.
Brazoria County Judge John Willy says he's not waiting for officials with the state and its dominant neighbor Harris County "to get home and take a nap." He says he's ignoring the state's staggered return plan and suggests other Brazoria County residents do likewise.
The state has opened a toll-free telephone hot line to help relatives of Hurricane Rita victims with medical problems locate evacuated hospital and nursing home patients.
The Department of State Health Services says people in Texas can call: 1-877-623-6274. The direct Austin number is: 512-458-7189. Agency officials say callers need the name, date of birth and gender of the patient.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has set up a toll-free number for Hurricane Rita evacuees to call and get information on road conditions.
Gov. Rick Perry's office says the number is: 1-800-452-9292.
Click Here For The Latest From The Doppler Ten Forecast Center On Hurricane Rita
Click Here For More Information About Central Texas Preparations
Click Here To Track Hurricane Rita
Click Here For Latest Hurricane Rita Strike Prediction Map
Click Here For National Hurricane Center Web Site
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