The American Red Cross has opened First United Methodist Church as a shelter. The shelter is located at 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land.
Six of the Chapter’s 16 counties including Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Walker, Chambers and Fort Bend suffered storm damage from Hurricane Ike, some of it severe. The Chapter continues to support three shelters in Huntsville for people who evacuated before the storm hit.
A fourth Huntsville Shelter was opened yesterday, because many Walker County residents’ homes were damaged by Ike. Today, there were nearly 1,700 residents in those four shelters. Since Red Cross began sheltering for Hurricane Ike, more than 20,000 residents have stayed in 150 shelters in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Now that that the storm has passed, the Chapter is working to set up shelters for people whose homes were damaged or destroyed. This has proved more challenging than usual. While the Chapter has about 150 shelter agreements in place, many of those facilities don’t currently have electricity or water. In addition, other facilities are inaccessible at this time due to debris or road conditions.
However, the Chapter has located some appropriate facilities and will make those locations available to the public when they are opened. People can find these shelters by: Staying informed –though area Media, 211, www.houstonredcross.org and 1800 RED CROSS. Those coming to Red Cross Shelters should remember to bring any personal comfort items such as bedding, pillows, and any items for infants or the elderly, as well as any prescription medications.
In the meantime, Red Cross damage assessment teams will be driving through affected communities to determine the extent of the storm damage. Knowing how many homes are extensively damaged or destroyed helps the Red Cross estimate how much shelter space and food is needed.
Those who have evacuated should let family members and loved ones know their plans and register with the American Red Cross Safe and Well Website at www.redcross.org. This site provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well.”