Galveston returns to snakes, rats, mosquitos, debris

Houston Chronicle:

Twelve days after Hurricane Ike began an assault that left their city in shambles, thousands of Galveston residents are making their way back home this morning to take stock and begin the long recovery.

Officials have warned residents that Galveston Island remains a devastated place with few trappings of civilization and many serious health hazards, but the miles-long traffic jam moving slowly southward on the Gulf Freeway attests to the desire many are feeling to return home despite everything.

State troopers and Galveston County sheriff's deputies are heavily patrolling the area, keeping order and making sure drivers stay off the freeway's shoulders.

The congestion increases as the reverse evacuation approaches the only causeway to the island, with many drivers who had stayed on the access roads forced to finally merge into freeway traffic.

Still, traffic is moving smoothly at 20 to 25 mph and few problems are evident, even though police are restricting the flow to two of the causeway's three lanes so that one can be kept open for emergency vehicles.

The returnees appear to have largely heeded officials' warnings that the island is not a fit place for children. Most vehicles appear to have one or two adult occupants and few children can be seen.

The dense flow of vehicles also includes many commercial trucks and pickups, loaded with tools, generators and other equipment for helping with the recovery.

But even the private vehicles show clear evidence that Galvestonians plan to get home and get to work. Many are carrying such items as ladders, large fans, drywall, wheelbarrows and large ice chests.

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Adding to the challenges facing the returnees and the police are swarms of big mosquitoes that seem to be growing more numerous and aggressive as the morning wears on.

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Galveston still has only limited medical, power, water and sewer system capabilities. Residents were urged to get tetanus shots and rat bait before arriving on the island.

Officials said returning residents should prepare to be utterly self-reliant, bringing their own food, water and gasoline. They also warned Galvestonians that they will encounter mosquitoes and snakes, in addition to the rats.

Residents of the Bolivar Peninsula, meanwhile, may be able to return for a "look and leave" visit as soon as Friday.

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It takes a certain amount of determination to even want to return to clean up that kind of mess. Galveston's will to survive will be tested again in the coming days.

For the look see on the Boliver Peninsula the residents will have to cross the bridge at Gilchrist where only one house survived and then drive over to Boliver since the ferry is not expected to be running for months.

It would be interesting to know where the ferries rode out the storm. My speculation is they went up into the Houston Ship Channel. I am sure the ferry landings also suffered significant damage in the storm.

There is some good news for Texas. Since 1850 only three hurricanes have hit the Texas coast after Sept 24. The linked story explains why they are unlikely now.