While getting back to normal is a long way off after the destruction for Hurricane Harvey, things are starting to trend in the right direction.
The Army Corps of Engineers says one trillion gallons of water was dumped on the Greater Houston area by Harvey. The corps also announcing they are slowing the rate of release from the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs.
“It could prevent damages to bridges along the Buffalo Bayou as well as the banks of Buffalo Bayou itself. This will be a gradual process,” explained Col. Lars N. Zetterstrom.
Elsewhere, the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted Gov. Greg Abbott’s request for Community Disaster Loan assistance Monday for cities in Texas that were affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Texas cities can now receive funding to help maintain their budgets while rebuilding their communities. Abbott released the following statement:
“The quick and focused work of our federal partners in response to Hurricane Harvey has been essential to the recovery effort in Texas.
“These loans are critical to providing cities with the resources and flexibility to recover while still providing important services to the Texans in their communities. I look forward to our continued work with the federal government and thank them for their help on the behalf of the victims of this storm.”
Other notes:
- As far as evacuations are concerned: In Fort Bend county portions of neighborhoods below 98-foot elevation, or difficult to access due to high water in the roads accessing or within their neighborhood, remain under a Mandatory evacuation.
- A mandatory evacuation in effect for west Houston residents who live along Buffalo Bayou and have water in their homes. The power was cut to those homes in that area.
- Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta banned recreational boating in the Brazos River, San Bernard River, Oyster Creek and Bastrop Bayou until further notice.
- About 1,500 evacuees are still in the George R. Brown Convention Center; another 2,800 are in the NRG Center. About 50,000 overall went to government paid hotels.
- The airports are open, but many airlines are not back to normal schedules. American Airlines says they won't get back to normal operations until at least tomorrow.
- Southwest says service out of Hobby may not be back to normal operations until September 12th; a week from today.
- Governor Abbott says Harvey may have done damage to Texas in the amount of $180 billion.
- Gas prices this morning are $2.45 around Texas; the statewide average is $2.53; the national average is $2.64.
- HISD, Katy and Fort Bend ISD won't start classes until 9/11. Conroe ISD returns to class today.
- Texas officials now blame Harvey for at least 60 deaths in Texas.