HURRICANE HARVEY RECOVERY INFORMATION

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

We have confirmed 60 homes to have recieved flood water from Hurricane Harvey. The amount of water in the living space ranges from 1 inch to 36 inches. Seven of the 60 homes have 'affected' damage. Forty-one of the 60 have 'minor' damage. Twelve have damage that is still undetermined. The estimated dollar loss (structure only, not including contents) is $521,273 for those 48 affected and minor damaged homes.

An additional 19 homes are suspected to have had some level of flood water inside the living area. However, flood damage to these homes have not been confirmed.

Friday, September 1, 2017

The City of Shoreares is quickly recovering from the affects of Hurricane Harvey. The water has receded and all city streets are open.

While several homes have suffered flooding this has been a far different experience than Hurricane Ike in 2008.

A preliminary survey of city facilities has shown extremely little damage. The Police Department reports no water inside or damage to their building, and no damage to police vehicles. The Public Works Department reports 5-inches of water in the shop but no damage to the building or equipment, no water in the offices, and no damage to vehicles. None of our five water and sewer facilities were disrupted or damaged by the storm or flooding. Water pressure was never lost and utilities operated as normal throughout although flood water cause sewers to drain slowly and two or three homes reported a back-up in their showers.

While there were some electrical outages they were limited in both area and duration. There were no widespread telephone outages and cellular telephones worked throughout the storm.

As of this morning (8/31) we believe that there may be about 75 homes that had some amount of water in them, however only 14 have been confirmed to have had storm water inside living space. As of Wednesday, August 30, there were no homes with living space remaining below the water level.

Storm debris on city's waterfront on Galveston Bay has already been cleaned up by volunteers. This time heavy equipment wasn't required and the debris was small enough to be put into plastic bags!

Did Your House Flood?

Wednesday, August 30 - 8:30 AM

Did you get flood water in your house? If so, we need to know so that we can help you and your neighbors get assistance to recover from this storm.

If you had any amount of water on your lowest living level please let us know as soon as possible.

You can call us during business hours at 281.471.2244 or email the City Manager at dstall@cityofshoreacres.us or fax us at 281.471.8955.

Here's the information we will ask for:

•             Name.
•             Address.
•             Best contact telephone number.
•             Email address.
•             Estimated maximum height of the water in your house (inches)?
•             Do you currently have electric power?
•             Is the house currently livable?
•             Are you staying in the house now?
•             Did you get water in your garage?
•             Do you have flood insurance?

That's it! Super simple, easy and fast to reply to. If you send an email just answer these ten questions and your done!

The sooner we can get this information, the sooner we will be able to get assistance.

Please call now, we're waiting for your call today! 281.471.2244

Did A Fallen Tree Knock Your House Power Line Down?

Tuesday, August 29 - 3:42 PM

Did you have a tree (or anything else) pull your home's electrical service drop down? If so please call us at City Hall and we'll work with your electrician and CenterPoint Energy to get your service restored as soon as possible, even on the weekend, or after normal hours.

City Hall can be reached at 281.471.2244

If you can't call during business hours email me at dstall@cityofshoreacres.us

David K. Stall, CFM, TEM
City Manager / Floodplain Administrator
City of Shoreacres
dstall@cityofshoreacres.us

No Trash Collection Monday August 29

Normal residential trash collection will resume on Friday, September 1.

Storm Update

August 27, 2017 

At 5pm tonight water levels are starting to slowly drop.  That includes Galveston Bay, Taylor Bayou, and Clear Lake. Additional rain this evening might slow or reverse that, but we expect lower levels and reduced street flooding in the morning. Of course we don't have a crystal ball, so that could change.

Curfew In Effect

Sunday, August 27 - 8:34 PM

The Mayor has ordered an emergency curfew in the city of Shore acres that will be in effect from eight o'clock tonight until six o'clock in the morning.

No one should be on the streets during those hours except for travel to and from home.

Please carry your identification and proof of residency if you need to leave your home during the curfew tonight.

City Hall will be Closed Monday, August 28th

Sunday, August 27 - 6:10 PM

We are going to give the storm one more day before bringing staff back to city hall. Unless streets remain flooded, we plan on being open for business Tuesday at 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Police and Public Works may have reduced staffing Monday, but will be available. 

City Water & Sewer

Throughout this storm city water and sewer facilities and associated equipment continued to function as usual.

There has been no loss of water pressure or disruption of safe drinking water.

The city's wastewater pumping stations continued to operate through the storm. Unfortunately however, we cannot keep floodwater out of our underground sewer collection lines. We are pumping extraordinary volumes of water to be treated. That extra storm water is competing with our wastewater and has filled our sewer pipes to capacity. As long as we have floodwater in the streets (anywhere) your plumbing fixtures may be slow to drain or flush. 

Under these circumstances there is always a risk that your sewer pipes might back-up. If so, the first place you should see wastewater will be in your shower or bathtub. In the majority of cases of back-ups caused by flooding conditions the back-up will be temporary and will go back down on it's own. Plunging or plugging your pipes would not be effective and is not recommended. Once the wastewater recedes rinse your shower and/or bathtub with water mixed with a cup of common bleach.

If Your Home Floods

Sunday, August 27 - 1:20 PM

Sadly, we know that some of our neighbors have had unwelcome floodwater in their home as a result of the tides and rains the accompanied Hurricane & Tropical Storm Harvey. If you have suffered flood damage it's not too early to start your recovery.

Start The Claims Process By Notifying Your Insurer

As soon as possible after experiencing a flood, contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. Make sure you have the following information handy:

•             The name of your insurance company

•             Your policy number

•             A telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times

An adjuster should contact you within a few days of filing your claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, you can contact your insurance agent or company again.

Document The Damage

Separate damaged from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.

Take photographs of all of the damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage, and standing floodwater levels.

Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value, and receipts, if possible.

Flooded items should be taken out of your home and set outside. If your damaged property is set at the edge of the street, the city will remove and dispose of it as soon as possible.

Stay Engaged 

This dangerous storm is not over. Stay vigilant and monitor this storm for impacts it will continue to have to our area including more heavy rain, gale force winds, extreme tides, and possible tornadoes. These conditions may continue through Wednesday, August 30.

High Tide & Flooding

Sunday, August 27 - 7:54 AM

Tropical Storm Harvey continues to present a very serious and real threat to the City of Shoreacres. 

At 7:00 a.m. this morning the city is experiencing major street flooding citywide. Overnight the city received 14 inches of rain that has overwhelmed our drainage systems. Tides remain high and the city is under a Flash Flood Warning until 10:45 this morning. 

As we receive more rain, more flooding will occur. Residents in low-lying and flood prone areas of the city may see flooding inside homes. Stay inside. Move to upper floors. Do not go into attics to escape high water.

Hurricane Harvey

Saturday, August 26 - 11:21 AM

This is an important message from the City of Shoreacres. Although Hurricane Harvey has moved inland, Galveston and the Houston area continue to receive heavy rain bands moving in from the Gulf of Mexico. The wind associated with this system will push Galveston Bay tides even higher today. As a direct result we expect to see more street flooding making travel in some areas of Shoreacres difficult. If another two or three feet of storm tide will affect your property please take immediate action to prepare for flooding.  

Drive Slowly! Please!      

Flooded streets may be passable if you have a high-clearance vehicle such as a truck or utility vehicle. However, forging through high-water can cause wakes that throw water into property that would otherwise be above the water level.    Unfortunately, some homes, garages, and stranded vehicles that were still a few inches above flood water have been flooded by water surges created by wakes thrown by vehicles driving through high water.     PLEASE, avoid driving on flooded streets. If you MUST drive through high-water PLEASE drive slow enough not to cause a wake the may damage other people's property.    Stay Engaged     While Hurricane Harvey has currently moved into the central Texas coast this tropical storm remains unpredictable. Most recent projections have this storm slowly moving towards Houston over the next several days.    Stay vigilant and monitor this storm for impacts it will have to our area including heavy rain, gale force winds, extreme tides, and possible tornadoes. These conditions may continue through Wednesday, August 30.    Please monitor local media for weather updates.

High Storm Tide

Saturday, August 26 - 10:29 AM

Although Hurricane Harvey has moved inland, Galveston and the Houston area continue to receive heavy rain bands moving in from the Gulf of Mexico.

The winds associated with this system will push Galveston Bay tides even higher today. As a direct result we expect to see more street flooding making travel in some areas of Shoreacres difficult.

Take Action

If another two or three feet of storm tide will affect your property please take immediate action to prepare for flooding.

Stay Engaged 

While Hurricane Harvey has currently moved into the central Texas coast this tropical storm remains unpredictable. Most recent projections have this storm slowly moving towards Houston over the next several days.

Stay vigilant and monitor this storm for impacts it will have to our area including heavy rain, gale force winds, extreme tides, and possible tornadoes. These conditions may continue through Wednesday, August 30.

Hurricane Harvey

Friday, August 25 - 7:21 AM  

Hurricane Harvey has become a very large storm that presents a very serious and real threat to Texas coastal communities, including the City of Shoreacres.

Voluntary Evacuation Requested

At 7:00 a.m. this morning Mayor Sanford has called for the voluntary evacuation of residents in low-lying and flood prone areas of the city. Elderly residents as well as those with medical conditions are also encouraged to evacuate.

Because of the potential of heavy rain, street flooding, and traffic leaving the area, residents evacuating are asked to leave by noon today, Friday, August 25.

Stay Engaged - Storm Surge Watch

While Hurricane Harvey is currently tracking into the central Texas coast tropical storms can be unpredictable.

We are currently under a Storm Surge Watch and this storm is forecast to move east into the Houston area after making landfall.

Stay vigilant and monitor this storm for impacts it will have to our area including heavy rain, gale force winds, and possible tornadoes. These conditions may continue through Tuesday, August 29.