PANEWS: City Updates

PORT ARTHUR
Police:
21 curfew arrests 12 Theft/Organized crime arrests Fire:
9-18-08, 4141 6th Ave, 8:00 am, Carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator. A man and woman in their 60’s had a generator in the attached garage with all windows closed in the garage. They were both transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital. The woman never regained consciousness during transport. The couple were admitted to ICU. (Please Push Generator Safety Again)
* Numerous medical and alarm calls
* Burning inside the city limits is still not allowed
General:
* Water is still drinkable with no problems
* Most of the sewer system up with generator power
* Trying to get water to Sabine Pass; HOWEVER IT WILL BE A BOIL WATER SITUATION IN SABINE PASS IF IT OCCURS
* Some sections of the city are beginning to receive electric powerDrivers need to exercise extreme caution at intersections and treat all intersections as 4-way stop intersections.

GROVES
Currently the streets of Groves are clear of debris and water services are available though a boil water notice is in place. Sewer service is available city-wide with all city services operating on generators.
Garbage service is operating on a very limited basis. Residents are asked to separate green waste from other garbage and those with rotted food are asked to bring those items to the Public Works Center, 4925 McKinley.
The annual Pecan Festival has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.
Renaissance Hospital is not open at this time but is expected to open when water and electricity is restored.
Groves Post Office is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with le Ttter carriers covering some routes.
A curfew remains in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
A Point Of Distribution will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the First baptist Church on the corner of 39th Street and Grant. each vehicle will receive two bags of ice, one flat of water and one case of Meals Ready to Eat.
A Red Cross feeding location will be set up at Van Buren Elementary School, 6300 Van Buren. For more information, call 962-4460.

PORT NECHES
Due to limited services and lack of electricity, residents of Port Neches are asked to remain at their evacuation site at this time. A dusk to dawn curfew is in effect.
Water and sewer service is available but a boil water notice is in effect. During this time water should be brought to a vigorous boil for three minutes, officials said.
Garbage and trash collections have resumed in the city and residents are asked to separate green waste from construction and demolition waste. All waste from freezers and refrigerators should be bagged into manageable sized bags and placed on the curb.

NEDERLAND
The city of Nederland has normal water service operating on generator power.
The wastewater treatment plant is operating on generator power, however, the collection system is restricted until power is restored.
Garbage collection has resumed in the city.

ORANGE
Mayor Brown Claybar expressed concerns for the city of Orange.
Although he did say they have made great strides in getting the city operational and helping the citizens.
The city council held an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon to pass an a declaration allowing Claybar to act on everybody’s behalf for another seven days.
City Manager Shawn Oubre announced he is working on a contract for the removal of silt.
City officials are working on making the city back to it’s feet. Claybar said, "The city of Orange is basically like two cities. There are those who have water in their homes and lost everything while there are also those who are only inconvienenced because of lack of power."
The division of the two cities is about 50 percent for those who were flooded to about 50 percent who were not, Claybar said. The hardest regions of Orange are the Cove addition, the east side and the downtown area.
But, Claybar assures the city is making progress.
The city sewer plant is not operational at this time because of lack of power, but Claybar hopes to have the issue resolved by Friday.
The central fire station is said to be a total loss, but is insured. Officials are hoping to rebuild. The Orange Police Department took on four inches water to the first floor. Officials have moved to the second floor.
City resources such as equipment fared well with the exception of one dump truck that was damaged while trying to rescue people from the raging flood waters.

BRIDGE CITY
As of Thursday, September 18, 2008, FEMA has a Mobile Emergency Registration Center located at the Bridge City High School, 2690 Texas Ave. Bridge City, Texas.
The Mobile Emergency Center is to help people register for FEMA assistance and is one of the first in Texas for Hurricane IKE.
If you are without power or are having difficulty contacting FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA) or www.fema.gov, please visit the registration center.

PINEHURST
About 70 percent of Pinehurst residents have electricity restored, said Mayor T.W. Permenter. City services had also resumed.
Thanks to some generators received from grant funds after Hurricane Rita, the sewer and water plants remained operational. "We are the luckiest city in Orange County," Permenter said. However, not all Pinehurst residents fared as well. About 20 residences in the Camelot addition had up to five feet of water in thier houses, Permenter said.

WEST ORANGE
Mayor Roy McDonald of West Orange reports the city is doing fairly well after the storm.
More than 70 percent of the city received flood damage. However, city officials are ready to get back on track and re-opened city hall Thursday morning. They have also worked on resuming city services.
"We have started debris pickup," McDonald said.
In order for the city cleanup to work efficently, McDonald said residents should take their white goods to the Schulman plant on Burnett Street. The goods should be emptied and taped up. He also urges residents to put their green waste to the curb separate from the other garbage.
McDonald reports the search and rescue efforts are completed. Although emergency personnel were forced to stop to answer more than three house fire calls. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blazes fairly quickly to resume their other efforts.