HURRICANE RITA ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

The following information is presented in the same form as it was posted on the website during Hurricane Rita.  It is intended to show the status of operations immediately after the storm.  Many of the short videos that were available during and right after the storm have been incorporated into the larger Hurricane Rita video.

Governor Rick Perry visited with local officials in Lufkin on September 29.  Gov. Perry presented the Salvation Army with a check for $100,000.00 to assist them in the support of Rita Evacuees and local victims of the storm.  Gov. Perry  told the crowd that Texans were a compassionate people and that support for the victims of Hurricane Rita would continue.  Rear Admiral Larry Hereth, the federal government's Principal Federal Official for Rita recovery and Gary Jones, acting Region 6 Director for FEMA also attended the press conference.  We have a streaming video of the Governor's press conference.  We also have a short video of Admiral Hereth's tour of the support facilities in Lufkin.  Read more about it in the Lufkin Daily News.   There was an ammonia leak at the Land O' Pines Dairy on Wednesday morning.  The Lufkin Fire Department was  quickly on scene and contained the leak.  The leak was thought to be a result of damage caused by Rita but that has yet to be confirmed.  We have a video of the LFD responding to the emergency.  Read more about it in the Lufkin Daily News.   Watch our video of the Salvation Army's support of Rita evacuees in Lufkin.    We have a short video of the ice and water distribution.   Shelter operations video shot 9/26/05 at 18:30.  We also have a 20 minute video of the EOC coordination meeting at 09:00 9/26/05.  This is unedited video giving Red Cross and Salvation Army updates.  This information is subject to change.   We have a short video of a meeting between Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, State Senator Todd Staples, Mayor Louis Bronaugh, City Manager Paul Parker, and Assistant City Manager Kenneth Williams.  We have interview videos of Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst and State Senator Staples.   We have a short video showing storm damage and shelter operations on Saturday, September 24 and a video showing Representative Louie Gohmert bringing in food and water Before the storm..   Residents and Business owners in the 9 declared counties of Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange and Tyler need to call 800-621-3362 or go to http://fema.gov for individual assistance information.  Angelina County has been declared an emergency response area, not a disaster area.  Angelina County residents are encouraged to call the above number or visit the FEMA website.  Hurricane Rita disaster number is 1606.    All 254 Texas counties have been approved for public assistance.     No Burning is allowed!  Put debris at the curb.  City will pick up on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  No recycling pickup this week.  It may be several days before tree debris can be picked up.  If you have the capability, you can take debris to the Recycling center and they will accept it.   Volunteers should report to the Salvation Army, 412 S. Third Street.  The Expo Center is closing as a shelter.     To Contact FEMA for Assistance:     Apply by Phone: Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) Call TTY 1-800-462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities.   OR Apply Online: Online Individual Assistance Center   Routes out of Lufkin:  All routes are now open.   103w to Crockett  Hwy 19 to Huntsville, I-45 to Houston   94 to Trinity, 19 to Huntsville, I-45 to Houston   103 W to Crockett, Hwy 21 to Madisonville, I-45 to Houston   Major Retailers with supplies:  All retailers are now open   Lufkin Shelter status:  Shelters are in the process of being consolidated.   Kurth Memorial Library, Ellen Trout Zoo, and the Pitser Garrison Civic Center are now open   Tax Information:  Rita victims can get tax relief from IRS and state Q: If I sustained property damage from Hurricane Rita, is there any kind of tax relief from federal and/or state taxes that I am eligible to receive? A: Yes, there is. On a federal level, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is working to provide appropriate tax and financial relief assistance to victims of both hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Some of the tax relief provisions offered include delayed deadlines for filing tax returns and making tax payments, new rules for waiver of penalties on IRA and 401K withdrawals, help with reconstruction of tax records, and guidance on claiming casualty losses for unreimbursed property damage. Hurricane victims in need of help with tax matters should call the IRS Hurricane Relief Hotline at 1-866-562-5227. Specific information about IRS Hurricane Relief provisions can be found on the web at www.irs.gov. At the state level, Texas taxpayers affected by Hurricane Rita may seek 90-day extensions for state tax returns, including sales and franchise returns, due in September and October. Texas law also provides for exemption of sales taxes on labor costs to repair storm-damaged property, including dry cleaning of clothing and draperies, rug and carpet cleaning, and appliance repairs. For more information about Texas tax relief or to request a tax filing extension, call the State Comptroller's office toll-free at 1-800-252-5555.     Power is continuing to be restored.  Most residences and business in Lufkin now have power.  There are still rural areas in Angelina County that are still without power.  All downed power lines should be considered as "hot".    Chief Brazil received the following phone message this week: "Chris Dritfas from Katy TX, wanted to tell you thank you for the great job you and your officers did.  He was traveling from Katy TX to AR.  He said they were right in the middle of all of the mad traffic.  And he said that we were the only town with officer assisting with the traffic flow.  He just wanted to say Thank you and to let you know you and your officers did a great job".  Also, see our email from a "storm Chaser".

The City of Lufkin recently sponsored an anti-terrorism course at the Pitser Garrison Civic Center that was designed to teach the  participants to be able to effectively contribute to the management of a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)/Terrorism incident.  the course included lectures, small group discussions, case studies and scenario driven activities. 

The course was sponsored and funded by the Department of Homeland Security Office for Domestic Preparedness.  The course was attended by numerous City, County, and emergency management personnel.