http://www.chron.com/disp/stoGalveston officials warn returning residents of island's condition
By CAROLYN FEIBEL
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Sept. 23, 2008, 10:22PM
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GALVESTON — City officials will reluctantly welcome back residents today, while warning them the city remains a dangerous, fetid environment fit only for the able-bodied and the mentally prepared.
"It's not going to be the same Galveston Island it was," said councilman Danny Weber. "It's as safe as we can make it at this time. The rest is up to you as individuals."
Officials said returning residents should prepare to be utterly self-reliant, bringing their own food, water and gasoline. They described the opposite of a sentimental journey: residents will encounter mosquitoes, rats and snakes. Traffic could be chaotic and backed up for hours on I-45 and water will not be drinkable for months.
"We do want to caution folks," said FEMA spokesman Marty Bahamonde. "There will be some struggles."
Residents of the eastern urban core may come to stay but realistically should be prepared to make assessments and leave again, said City Manager Steve LeBlanc. An estimated 75 percent of homes will be uninhabitable and no shelters are provided on the island, officials said. West End residents are still under a "look and leave" policy.
Getting back power and gas will be a long and competitive process. Although CenterPoint is just days away from finishing its repairs, that doesn't mean customers will have power. Individuals must hire a licensed electrician to inspect their homes and then have a city electrical worker inspect and issue a permit.
Gas service requires a similar process: Residents must hire a private licensed plumber to inspect, then call a city plumbing inspector to visit. Texas Gas may also have to replace an estimated 17,000 gas meters that were submerged.
The city has three electrical inspectors and two plumbing inspectors, so residents should be prepared to wait. "It's going to be a bottleneck," said LeBlanc. He said he has asked the state to send more inspectors.
Residents should not try to activate gas or electric power before completing the entire inspection process. The result could be a gas explosion or fire, and with limited water supplies, firefighting abilities are weak.
CenterPoint officials said four of six substations are working again. Overall, the island's power grid has been 60 percent restored, although most customers will need to do individual fixes and inspections to actually turn on lights.
To the east side of 61st Street, the distribution networks will be 90 percent fixed by today, said Kenny Mercado, a division senior vice president. For the West End, CenterPoint expects 75 percent will be fixed by the end of the week.
LeBlanc urged residents to delay their return if possible, and Police Chief Charles Wiley said traffic will be "bad" today.
Residents should also get tetanus shots and rat bait before arriving at the island.
Bolivar residents may be able to come to the peninsula for a "look and leave" visit as soon as Friday.
The expected plan will focus on areas west of Rollover Pass. Residents must enter by the bridge at Gilchrist and will have residency status checked. The ferry will not be operating normally for three to six months.
Galveston County Judge James Yarbrough said the hours for "look and leave" will probably be from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last hour for entering the island to be 2 p.m.
Chronicle reporter Dale Lezon contributed to this story.
carolyn.feibel@chron.comry.mpl/metropolitan/6018142.html