Apologies for the short diary, I hope comment contributors will I am not in or around Houston, but anyone can watch the local Houston news live online here: http://abclocal.go.com/...
I think we need to start recording what they are saying since they are doing a better job than the national media.
I will monitor it as much as I can, but it would be good if others can monitor it too and use diaries like this one to post regular updates.
We cannot let the media blackout of Galveston continue.
Here is what they have said in the last half-hour:
• Galveston was letting people back onto the island for a few hours, or so they claimed, but there are not confirmed reports of anyone back on the island and cars are now being turned away.
• A group of fire trucks was recently observed heading to Galveston.
• 15,000 are estimated to have stayed in Galveston for the storm, status unknown.
• Police have reported only 11 arrests for looting, but more activity has been seen.
Please add more. We need to keep people informed! Knowledge is power!
UPDATE:
• No one is to be allowed onto the island at this point aside from aid workers by order of the Mayor's office. This order is indefinite.
• The Texas National Guard has a presence on the island but claim that they have no weapons and cannot do crowd control if there is looting.
UPDATE 2:
• Despite police vehicles headed to Galveston, the police force claims there are not enough police to keep the island safe.
• Towns on Galveston County's Bolivar Peninsula (not on the island) are "totally wiped out" with "thousands of homes gone"
Houston paper article on the media blackout: http://www.galvnews.com/...
UPDATE 3:
• Harris County Judge: We had enough trucks but they were not sent out in a timely manner.
• Galveston mayor says they may have to 'take the situation into our own hands' regarding ice distribution.
• Satellite views of the region in the aftermath can be seen here: http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/...
Update 4:
Centerpoint Energy is now giving a briefing.
• Service has been restored to over 600,000 Houston residents.
• 50-75% of customers will be restored Tuesday, September 23.
FINAL UPDATE
Please continue this at Shhs' diary here: http://www.dailykos.com/...