ASK IKE !

Frequently Asked Questions

UPDATE 9.19.2008 @ 4:00pm:  We estimate that 575 of our 650 homes have been flooded and today are uninhabitable. I believe it was Winston Churchill who said, "When you're going through hell, keep going." That's exactly what we're doing as a community. Shoreacres is showing what it's made of, and it's all good. Our citizens have pulled together with neighbors, city workers, volunteers and disaster relief teams. The results are incredible.

Things are happening everywhere. Both city water and sewer are up and running. Our streets are clear and every home is accessible. Debris removal has started. The city has contracted with Asplundh to pick up as much as you can stack next to the street. Giant trucks equipped with grapple claws will start by picking up trees and brush. It is very important that you have your trees and brush separated from other construction debris.

This morning we received a forklift on loan from Revak Turbo Machinery Services which has helped tremendously with handling emergency supplies.

At 9:00am Garner Environmental Service delivered three large generators. At 1:15pm we resolved motor control issues and put our primary waste water liftstation back in service. Forty minutes later another liftstation was placed in service. By 3:30 the last of our three waste water liftstations have been placed back in service fully restoring sewer service to the city.

Presently we have to drive a laptop computer out of Shoreacres to a place where we can get Internet service to provide these updates. Tonight we anticipate having satellite Internet equipment installed and operational. That will not only help with the website, but will allow us to have access to other vital information.

UPDATE 9.18.2008 @ 10:00pm:  More progress today. We filled our water tower, have full water pressure, repaired all but two or three leaks, and have flushed all of our lines. Unfortunately we will stay under the Boil Order until commercial electric service is restored. Until then drinking water should be available at City Hall.

Tarrant Regional Water District has been performing a tremendous service for Shoreacres. Yesterday they helped clear streets and rights-of-way of fallen trees. Today they concentrated on clearing fallen trees from the utility easements which will speed the restoration of electricity when line crews arrive. One of the biggest jobs they have singlehandedly tackled was clearing Miramar of about 1,000 tons of concrete rubble. How luck we are to have their assistance. 

We are trying to get the sewer system back in service but are dependent on getting generators from an outside vendor. Garner Environmental Service continues to let us down. Yesterday they promised us three generators this morning. This afternoon they promised us the generators this evening. This evening they have promised us the generators tomorrow morning. We have had a crew and electrician on stand-by for more than 24 hours waiting on those generators. Until they arrive we can't determine what other repair may be required to the system.

UPDATE 9.17.2008 @ 5:00am:  Help is on the way. American Red Cross has been delivering meals that city volunteers have been distributing at a drive thru at City Hall. Starting yesterday Red Cross has been arriving at lunch and dinner with a cantina truck and serving hot meals. Water has been donated (but is running short). Yesterday HEB donated ice arrived and will be available today (Wednesday) as well. Portable restrooms were also delivered at City Hall, Circle Park and along Miramar.

The best news of the day is that Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) is sending us a crew of five and a large generator for our water plant on Bayou Forest. With that assistance we will be able to restore water pressure.  Additionally the TRWD crew is bringing a backhoe and other equipment to help repair water breaks and clear downed trees and debris.

We are still waiting on generators requested from the state to operate our (water plants and) wastewater liftstations.

CenterPoint estimates that it would take six crews three days to restore power to our primary water and wastewater facilities. Under the present conditions we anticipate that amount of work to take at least two weeks.

Harris County Constables will be in the city assisting the police department with patrols. They may be joined by Harris County deputies.

Of course the signals at Shoreacres and SH146 are down and out. Soon we'll attempt to direct traffic at that intersection to keep everyone moving.

UPDATE 9.16.2008 @ 1:00pm:  Small improvements everywhere. More street are passable. Fewer water and gas leaks. Portable restrooms! Food and water at City Hall. City's computer network was restored this morning (still no Internet or e.mail). Still no fax machine line either.

Everyone wants to know when we'll have water, so here's our best estimate, (with no guarantees). Reasonable water pressure for fire fighting and general cleaning maybe Wednesday (9/17) afternoon. Water that's approved for drinking without boiling, maybe October 1. We are dependent on generators or electrical service, restoration of sanitation equipment and sanitation of the distribution system.

We've even less in control of when electric service is restored. The good news is that CenterPoint survey crews have arrived this afternoon. Looking at the system and damage is the first step in developing a plan for repair. You can watch for tree crews to arrive to clear those trees that have fallen across or into the power lines. Restoring everyone's power could take weeks.

UPDATE 9.15.2008 @ 6:00pm: The Police Department has been working hard and doing a great job to protect our citizens and their property. It's a difficult job and working roadblocks is always a thankless job, but necessary for us to maintain security. Today two looters were arrest stealing property from home in broad daylight.

All residents will be able to return to all streets as of Monday. Proof of residency will be required for streets east of Westview.

City Hall and the Public Works building are being operated on our own back-up generators. City Hall will reopen for "normal" business on Tuesday.

Our four man Public Works crew has been doing an outstanding job under these very difficult conditions.

We are continuing to have difficultly with our water system. Flood water has damaged controls, pumps, and power distribution circuits. We are struggling to maintain enough water pressure to supply our fire hydrants. Our sewer system is still out of service until we can either obtain generators or have commercial service restored. Telephone service is hit and miss throughout the city, including City Hall. If you and don't get through to us please keep trying, eventually you will reach us.

September 13, 2008

Dear Residents of Shoreacres:

This evening the Mayor and I were finally able to personally review the impact that Ike has had on our homes. It makes us very sad to see the devastation and destruction of so many homes. Some parts of the city still remain inaccessible today.

We are so very thankful that none of our residents were in these homes when they were violently destroyed. It is certainly clear that our concern about this hurricane was justified.

We know that everyone is very anxious to return home and see the damage for themselves. We understand that and will work hard to make that happen as quickly as possible. First, we must ensure that everyone did make it out safely. Second, we must ensure that we protect your homes and property from further damage or losses. Fire presents one of the largest risks now so we are working to restore water pressure to our fire hydrants. Third, we must make it possible for you, our emergency services, and utility crews to safely reach your property.

Because of the extraordinary hazards and dangers it will be necessary for us to do these things before allowing you and your family to return. Many if not most of our 650 homes are not habitable today.

You should know that it may be four weeks or longer before electrical service is restored to the entire city. You should also know that our water system has been compromised and will take some time to restore.

David K. Stall, City Administrator

HURRICANE IKE BULLETINS

MAYOR & COUNTY JUDGE CALL FOR MANDATORY EVACUATION - 9.11

ALL CITY SERVICES TO BE SUSPENDED - INCLUDING POLICE - 9.12

EXTREME TIDES AND SURGE PREDICTED FOR SHOREACRES - 9.11

MAYOR CALLS FOR VOLUNTARY EVACUATION - 9.10

This is Shoreacres City Hall. The red marks were placed on the building on Thursday, September 11th in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Ike.

City Administrator David Stall and Public Works Director Eloy Gonzales placed these marks on the building to indicate its the elevation above sea level.

Storm surge from Hurricane Ike at Shoreacres was forecast to be between 17 and 20 feet.

In 1983, before this building was built, Hurricane Alicia visited Shoreacres. Alicia produced a 10 foot storm surge that put about 4 feet of water in the previous City Hall.

Critical items were removed from the building, priority equipment and records were move to be above the 20-foot line inside the building, important equipment and records were placed upstairs above 17.5-feet, and other non-critical items and records were moved in the building to a place inside the building above the 12-foot line.

This new building was constructed to withstand a 15 foot storm surge. City offices are on the second floor with a meeting room and storage downstairs. The ground floor is at 8 feet 10 inches NAVD. The second floor office space is 17.5 feet NAVD.

The first floor is constructed of concrete filled block. The lower windows are intended to breakout and allow water to flow through the building. Windows upstairs are shuttered.