Cross Blog

Rick’s Blog

Monday, September 29, 2008

The FEMA base camp in Beaumont, TX is consolidating.  They began breaking down the 6 smaller tents today and moved us all in the large tent which sleeps 960.  There are about 200 people here now, mostly FEMA contractors.  Another base camp was set up in Orange, TX over the weekend.

This coming Saturday night, there will be a high school football game played near Port Arthur, just south of Beaumont.  This is the largest rivalry around, drawing an average of 25,000 spectators each year.  This year, these two schools will play on Saturday night, and then put their rivalry aside on Sunday to cross the bridge into hard hit Bridge City, TX.  These two schools will wear the Bridge City High School colors as a show of support, and join these communities in an effort to help clean the yards and households of Bridge City residents.

The American Red Cross, Orange County Chapter, working in coordination with the Beaumont Chapter, plans on sending several mobile feeding vehicles across the 4.5 mile long bridge from Port Arthur to Bridge City on Sunday to provide a mobile canteen for the community as they work on cleaning the city.  There is a good chance I’ll be reassigned to Houston before Sunday, so I’ll probably miss the event.  However, this is a great community effort as the Mayors and community leaders in Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Bridge City are all working together to help clean up one of the hardest hit areas in East Texas.  Stay tuned.

Rick’s Blog

Sunday, September 28, 2008

I took some pictures from my visit to Sabine Pass.  This is south of Beaumont outside Port Arthur.  I was riding around with Mike Odneal, who is the chapter exec for the Mid-Missouri chapter and is assigned as a Voluntary Agency Liaison to this response.  We were both taking pictures with our phones.

In other news, FEMA finally cranked up the heat in our tent last night.  This was the first night that we weren’t cocooning ourselves under the blankets.

I understand that there will be a 9am conference call tomorrow (Monday) regarding client assistance.  This should be interesting.  Film at 11:00

Rick’s Blog

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Howdy from Beaumont, TX:

Yes, I did get to stay in a hotel for the one night I stayed in Ft Worth.  However, the next day I drove to Beaumont to fill a management role in support of the local chapter.  I am now staying in a FEMA tent city.  It is a pretty good deal compared to the alternatives down here.  We were all given a laundry bag complete with sheets and a blanket, pillow and pillow case, and a towel.  There are 6 tents which sleep 180 each, and one big tent which sleeps 500.  It gets pretty chilly at night, so many people have asked for and received an extra blanket.

This area of Texas was hit pretty hard by Ike.  They are still serving more than 30,000 meals per day out of 3 kitchens and 5 feeding sites.  However, the meal counts are steadily decreasing.  There are no client shelters in this chapter’s jurisdiction.  I’m hoping to transition everything over to the chapter by the end of the weekend and get reassigned to another location.  Film at 11:00

Rick’s Blog

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Good Morning:

I was just told that I’m heading down to Beaumont later this morning to work with their chapter for the next few days.  Forward planning (as it stands now) has me going from Beaumont to the Houston/Galveston area this weekend or early next week.  I did sleep in a hotel room last night My roommate is a brand new volunteer from the Transylvania County, NC Chapter - cool guy.  He is working at HQ in staff support.  NC is well represented down here.

All staff meeting now.  Tootles.

Brunetta’s blog

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Greetings from Monroe, La!
I traveled to Monroe yesterday afternoon (4 hour drive) to work in Client Services. I am working from the Northeast Louisiana Chapter.
Today we conducted outreach visits to dwellings affected by Gustav. We encountered homes surrounded by several feet of water and in some cases fish were swimming within the water! They were washed in from the flooding.

The residents of Rayville (Monroe Parish) were happy to see a Red Cross vehicle & volunteers ready to provide assistance. We handed out bottles of water, food, diapers, formula, clean up kits, etc. In some cases financial assistance was provided. What seemed to be one of the most important items for the residents was “telling their story”. This served as therapy for the youngest to the oldest and hugs were not spared!
Wednesday we will travel another Parish (one of the hardest hit) and continue to spread Red Cross love!

Brunetta’s blog

Monday, September 08, 2008

Good morning!
I am officially in Baton Rouge as of yesterday afternoon. My assignment was finished when all general population shelters were closed. One of the most eventful things that took place was trying to locate two missing children (6 and 7 years old) within one of eleven general population shelters! Happily we found them unharmed & reunited them with a family member.
The destruction that was caused by Gustav is unbelievable! Massive trees uprooted & twisted, business signs blown off bldgs, homes destroyed, etc. It is amazing to see the efforts taking place to avoid looting ---barricades, armed guards in tanks, etc. There is also a 6 p.m. curfew for businesses.
I am currently at headquarters waiting for orientation, classes, and reassignment. Will send another update when I know where I will be for this last leg.
Missing everyone!

Brunetta’s blog

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Greetings!
I have now been assigned to work at the Homeland Security and Preparedness Offices (EOC) to act as the liaison between the Chapter and other agencies. This will be my new assignment until redirected.
Today we have been coordinating the return of evacuees to 4 parishes (Lafayette, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, and Calcasieu).  They will be transported back by bus.  As evacuees were initially admitted into the shelters color bar-coded arm bands were placed on their arms according to their home (parish).  Pets will also be bused back shortly after the residents are on their way home.  Their kennels have been labeled according to their home parish as well.
That’s all for now. Hope all is well in the Carolinas!

Brunetta’s blog

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Hello!
Well, thankfully we survived the night!  Extreme wind & rain hit our area about 10:30 last night. Most of us were tired enough to see it & fall right asleep without hesitation. We are expecting to assist areas within the Northwest Chapter who are under flash flood warnings.
One general population shelter has been consolidated with another shelter & closed down, but we are gaining two.
Things are coming together at the chapter & staffing needs are being met. We are currently obtaining the total number of spontaneous volunteers who have signed up to assist. People have been generous with time & coming forward to help.
Just moments ago we were told that President Bush might be visiting this chapter & going on a tour of one of the shelters tomorrow.  Will let you know if that happens.
I know things are going well at GCC! I have been following your updates too.

Brunetta’s blog

Monday, September 01, 2008

Greetings,
When I arrived yesterday we were directed to Hirsch shelter (fair grounds). Needless to say the public shelter was full to capacity. It is also considered to be a flooding zone!
We were then sent to the Northwest Louisiana Chapter in Shreveport. I am working in staff services assigning Red Cross volunteers from every specialty possible. All public shelters (11) are full to capacity (800-1000 people each) & no other clients can be accepted per the fire marshals.
The only staff shelter available last night was full. Several volunteers, including myself slept at the chapter on air mattresses. Although it was freezing we were thankful. Breakfast was donated by What-a-Burger.
This morning we were told to expect 18 inches of rain with severe chances of flooding. Preparing the best way possible to withstand the soon to be incoming rain.
Will update as soon as more info comes in.