Hometown cooperations gets many through recovery
Hurricane Beryl has caused more inconvenience than real damage to property for most in Walker County, because the major transmission lines for power were damaged.
The primary concerns post-hurricane for District 8 Congressman Morgan Luttrell in Walker County is that “power be reengaged as soon as possible because we are in the throws of the Texas summer.
“We don’t really have a winter anymore,” said Congressman Luttrell, while stopping at the Huntsville Public Library to visit with people seeking free wifi, power outlets and air conditioning. “We have been engaging the electric companies who are increasing their body count (manpower) to make the repairs necessary. They are coming in from all over the country.”
He noted that the damage was caused by foliage falling from private property in the category 1 hurricane winds. He added that most of the companies are trying to move heaven and earth.
“I give them credit for doing the best they can with what they got,” Congressman Luttrell said. “You can prep and plan for a hurricane, you just can’t read the storm. I am here today to talk to folks about trees down where the company maybe hasn’t been.”
In his observations of the damage so far, he believes that Walker County did well during the storm, while Montgomery County took the brunt of it.
Huntsville Public Library will be open on Saturday and will have wifi, accessible to power outlets for charging, and air conditioning.
Congressman Luttrell said that he stopped by Murski Cafe before heading to Huntsville and found that the company had “stepped up to feed the lineman in the area” Friday.
Judge Christian said he does not believe Walker County will not meet the threshold for FEMA for the hurricane like it did with the previous storm.
“We want the individual assistance, but we are getting plenty of help from the Houston Food Bank,” Judge Christian said. “They are already out of water. We contacted TDEM and we are getting ice and water into the county, just waiting on that.”
Walker County Commissioners Court declared a disaster on Monday, July 8, ahead of Hurricane Beryl. City of Huntsville Mayor Russell Humphrey issued a disaster declaration on Tuesday, July 9.
The two major leaders of the county have found a way to come together and work in unison the past week. They were able to assist Huntsville Memorial Hospital with setting up an emergency area outside the facility to manage the intake of patients being transported over by Montgomery Hospital.
“We are extremely grateful to feel the support of our county, city, and other emergency management partners,” remarked, Patrick Shannon, HMH Chief Executive Officer. “The ED tent, supplied by Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and erected by the Walker County Office of Emergency Management and the City of Huntsville, stands prepared for increased EMS traffic from outside Walker County due to the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.”
While HMH did not suffer any power loss during the recent storm, many other hospitals and healthcare facilities were required to limit services. Due to EMS arrivals from outside counties the volume of patients at HMH has been at a high level, and the additional support from our community partners is critical to help HMH meet the community need.
Mayor Humphrey said the effort and partnership between the acting governments pleased him.
“We found a way to come together for the citizens we were elected to serve,” Mayor Humphrey said.
Judge Christian said that the Walker County Office of Emergency Management also held an emergency food and water distribution Thursday morning. Over 600 vehicles went through the line before all supplies were exhausted.
A second distribution of emergency water, ice and disaster food will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 13, until supplies run out.
Drivers are asked to enter at the Texas Prison Museum parking lot and follow the line behind the Storm Shelter before exiting from the parking lot.
First Baptist Church of Huntsville acted as a Harbor of Hope for the community as well.
A cooling center will be open at the Walker County Storm Shelter beginning at noon Wednesday, July 10. This center allowed for individuals to have a place to stay during the day, receive water and plug in oxygen concentrators. The shelter was not made ready for overnight stays until after 3 p.m. Wednesday. Residents of the county were welcomed to shelter overnight if they had no power in their homes. They were also fed three meals a day.