Debris Piles and Traffic Bring About New Concerns

As if our messy situation weren’t bad enough, it’s now becoming even worse with a steady influx of scavengers and onlookers, and the additional traffic they create, particularly in hardest-hit Southdale.  We’ve been getting lots of questions, so I take this opportunity to share and address these concerns with a broader audience.

Some amount of scavenging is to be expected.  It’s not illegal per se, but we’re concerned about it because many residents are reporting that scavengers are rummaging through their belongings at the curb and leaving an even bigger mess behind.  In some cases they’re opening and dumping bags out in yards and in the streets to pick through their contents, and not bothering to clean up again after themselves.  If you observe this kind of activity, don’t hesitate to call the Bellaire Police at (713) 668-0487.  We’ve got officers on patrol who will respond.  See also Chief Holloway’s suggestions, which he sent out this morning.

Bellaire Rising to the Challenge

Several of us on City Council have gotten together and ventured out into the neighborhoods to check in on people cleaning up after the flood, to show our support and share information.  To a person, those we’ve visited with are in remarkably good spirits, buoyed no doubt by the kindness of both neighbors and (now former) strangers.  Volunteers have just been showing up and getting right to work.

In the hardest-hit neighborhoods we’ve encountered folks from all over Bellaire and beyond.  Many who were less directly affected have dropped everything to lend a hand.  Informal relief efforts have been popping up, to collect donations and match volunteers with homeowners needing assistance.  This unfathomable catastrophe has brought out the best in all of us, and together we’re pulling through.

As We Begin Rebuilding

After two days of telling you we were still in response mode as Harvey stubbornly refused to leave us, I’m happy to report we have officially transitioned to the recovery phase.  The EOC is no longer a 24-hour operation, but of course emergency dispatch is always there and our normal public safety shifts have resumed.  While the Greater Houston area is draining nine trillion gallons of water and will be for weeks to come, the imminent threat of a repeat flooding situation in Bellaire has passed and we are now able to safely begin the process of rebuilding our homes and our lives.

Some things you need to know:

Volunteer Relief Effort Getting Underway

At this time the City is still focusing on emergency response and is not yet transitioning to the recovery phase.  Our available resources, including personnel, are operating at full capacity.  However, we know that so many of you are wanting to help your neighbors in need that manpower isn’t going to be a problem.

Volunteers are coming together to organize a coordinated Bellaire relief effort.  It’s being led entirely by them and not by the City, but we are making available a meeting room at the Rec Center, 7008 5th St., to receive donations of items listed below and for volunteer check-in.

Beginning the Transition to Recovery

Finally, some good news.  We’re not quite there yet, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The overnight elevation data from Brays Bayou says it all:

As we saw yesterday, however, the Bayou’s receding can be two steps forward, one step back as further rains fill it up again.  Plus, the unfathomable amount of water upstream of us still to work its way through the system will keep levels above normal for quite some time to come.

Your Bellaire Emergency Operations Center

This afternoon I had an opportunity for a quick visit with our EOC personnel.  They’re working nonstop on 12-hour rotations, but in great spirits and clearly taking pride in the job they’re doing for our community.  They told me they know how much we all appreciate them … but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to tell them again.

It’s a big team involving every city department.  First responders from Police and Fire, along with the Public Works crews, are most visible out in the field.  Back at the EOC they’ve got administrative and logistics support from the City Manager’s office, Parks & Rec, Library, Finance and others.  Everyone is doing their part.

How You Can Help

A quick follow-up to my post from earlier this morning.  Now that flood waters have receded to more manageable levels, I’ve continued receiving a great many offers of help.  Again, thanks to all of you.  When times are at their worst, Bellaire is at its best.

Right now we’re still in response and rescue mode.  With the National Weather Service predicting additional rain through Thursday, we’re not out of the woods just yet.  This event is ongoing, and given the risk that potentially heavy rains will lead to a repeat flooding situation we cannot transition to recovery mode and return to normal operations at this time.

In Southdale and Other Hardest-Hit Areas, Another Long Night

Families all over Bellaire have been stranded in their homes, with the highest number reported in Southdale, which has experienced the most severe flooding.  Many of you in other low-lying areas are stuck as well.  Yesterday we received more than 1,750 calls for rescue.  To those still waiting, we haven’t forgotten about you.  Please hang in there just a bit longer.

The first rescue operations prioritized the elderly and disabled, and those with life-threatening emergencies.  Among them were a paraplegic resident who had water up to the top of his bed, a baby on medical equipment with a depleting battery, an insulin-dependent diabetic stranded without food, and others with serious medical conditions.  We successfully got them all to safety.  The other primary focus yesterday was on single-story homes with dangerously high levels of flooding, in which residents couldn’t simply run upstairs to get out of the rising water.

Harvey Flood Response Update

Unfortunately the situation has only gotten worse today, and it’ll be a while before it improves.  If you’ve made it to safety, please hang in there but be prepared for the possibility it’ll be a couple days as we’re expecting more rain tonight.  If you’re in need of rescue, first responders are out in high water vehicles and boats, but conditions are making it very difficult for them to get to everyone quickly.  They’re doing everything they can and then some.  If you’re able to help your neighbors until first responders can get to you, please do.

Life-threatening emergencies remain our top priority and should be reported to 911.  Non-emergency phone lines are overwhelmed with calls, so please be patient and try back if you cannot get through right away.  The Bellaire EOC non-emergency hotline is (713) 662-8206.

I know many of you are concerned about Bellaire’s water supply.  Our drinking water is safe.  However, the wastewater treatment plant and lift stations are struggling as the sanitary sewers have been inundated with storm water intrusion.  There’s not much Public Works can do about that until the flood waters begin to recede.  You can help by limiting unnecessary sewer discharge including toilets and showers.  Again, drinking water remains safe.

The EOC command staff is distributing important information as it becomes available, online and through the Notify Me e-mail system.  Please consult the City website, www.bellairetx.gov, for announcements.

Neighbors helping neighbors is now more important than ever.  We’re all in this together.

Together We’ll Get Through This; For Now Just Be Safe

I’m sure very few in Bellaire actually slept last night, but those who did have woken up to the devastating reality of Harvey’s unrelenting rains throughout our area, producing unprecedented levels of flooding.  This is worse than Memorial Day and Tax Day, and depending on what happens over the next few days the impact to Bellaire will likely exceed that of Tropical Storm Allison.

I’ve heard from many of you already this morning, either in search of assistance or offering to help.  For now, emergency officials are advising us to stay put.  Your home is the safest place to be, even if you’ve taken on water.  Just remember to turn off your electricity at the panel if flood waters are nearing outlets.  Go upstairs if you have a second story, or to a neighbor’s if you can get there safely.

Do not venture out onto the roadways.  You won’t get very far, and even if you think you can make it down the street you’ll only send a wake into your neighbors’ homes.  Please just stay where you are.  For life-threatening emergencies call 911.  You may contact the Bellaire Emergency Operations Center at (713) 662-8206 for non-emergencies, but be patient as we are receiving a very high volume of calls.

Harvey is proving so significant an event that some houses that have never flooded will.  For others of you, this will be your second or third time in just the past few years.  It’s beyond frustrating and stressful, and we know we have a long road ahead of us.  But please take it one step at a time.  Today, and over the next several days, our priority is keeping you safe.  We’re all in this together, and together we’ll get through it.