FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2008

Where to go for Answers:

We compiled a list of important hurricane-related websites that may be of use to you: www.mc-cares.org  www.mctxoem.org   www.mcuw.org

• Finding Help in Texas: www.211texas.org. The state’s information and referral system can help you find free information on key services in your area. You can also access this system by dialing 211 on your phone.
• The Texas Health and Human Services Commission: www.hhsc.state.tx.us. This site has information about how to use your Lone Star Card and access your Medicaid benefits.
• Office of the Governor Hurricane site: www.governor.state.tx.us/hurricane.
• The City of Houston – Hurricane Ike Information www.houstontx.gov.

Electricity: Entergy Texas has reported that electricity was supplied to hospitals Tuesday night. Power to residents and businesses should be progressively restored throughout The Woodlands area beginning today, with 80 percent in service by Friday. Entergy’s Service Center on Lake Front Circle in The Woodlands will open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information can be found at www.entergy.com. Entergy’s telephone number is 1.800.968.8243. For more information about areas within CenterPoint Energy, go to www.centerpointenergy.com. For emergency issues, call CenterPoint Energy’s Customer Service at 713.207.2222. Centerpoint’s goal is to have 50 to 75 percent of their customers’ power restored within two weeks of the storm.
Please conserve energy when power is restored so as not to overload the system!

UPDATED…POD LOCATIONS:

**Tell people to monitor 99.7 FM (K-Star) for status:

• South County - Fellowship of The Woodlands, #1 Fellowship Dr. (WATER only).  Manned by CP3/Shenandoah will Open at 8:00AM on 9.17.08
• Wed. 9/17/08 will serve free food to the public 12:00-6:00 PM until gone
• North County - Willis Community Center will Open at 9:00 AM on 9.17.08
• Water tanks available at American Legion (13054 E. FM1097, Willis) – BRING OWN CONTAINERS AND 10 GALLON LIMIT!!!
• Hot Meals Available at Salvation Army, 304 Avenue E, Conroe,  11 a.m., 6 p.m.

• West County – Montgomery Junior High, Stewart Creek across from KOA WILL OPEN AT 8AM ON 9.17.2008 Manned by CP1 and MFD

            West County - Magnolia HS – Has MREs, Ice & Water

• East County – Commissioner’s Barn 23628 Robert’s Road (1485/Loop 494) will Open at 10:00AM on 9.17.08 – Ice & Water
• East County – 9/17 -Hot Meals available through Salvation Army  beginning at noon at Mission NE – New Caney

NEW….SHELTERS

There are no shelters operating in Montgomery County.  The closest shelter is in Huntsville is full. Houston has several FEMA will reimburse people who stay in a hotel as a shelter due to structural damage ONLY – not because there was no electricity. YOU MUST KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS to get reimbursements.  According to www.tacvbemergency.net all Montgomery County hotels are full.   College Station has very few hotels available.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The waiver for Emergency Food Stamp Assistance was approved last night.
 *  Texas Residents displaced by IKE who evacuated to another state:  Call  1-877-541-7905 to reach the Texas 211 network to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits.
 *  Texas Residents displaced by IKE who evacuated to another area of Texas:  Call 211 from any Texas landline or Texas cell phone to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or other assistance.
Disaster Unemployment Insurance
Because the President declared 29 counties a disaster area, displaced workers in those counties could be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. To claim this protection, a worker must file by October 15. Please bring this deadline to people’s attention. To file for disaster-related unemployment assistance, log on to www.texasworkforce.org or call TWC from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, at (800) 939-6631.

Emergency Food Stamp Benefits
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) sought and received a federal waiver to make the emergency assistance available to low-income individuals and families living in any of the 29 counties that have been declared disaster areas.   Eligible Texans in disaster areas can receive up to two months of food stamp benefits by calling 2-1-1 or applying at any HHSC benefits office through Oct. 17. The person submitting the application needs to provide proof of identity and residence, such as a driver license. A family of four earning up to $2,915 this month may qualify for assistance.  Applicants also will have to answer questions about their bank account balances and other assets. People who provide additional documentation may qualify for benefits for a longer period.

FEMA:  KEEP ALL RECIEPTS, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE
FEMA will pay for the lodging directly to hotels and motels for eligible evacuees.  A listing of participating hotels is available online at www.FEMAEvacHotels.com   Assistance period is from Sept. 14, 2008. Applicants responsible for meals and lodging above authorized allowances.   For non-participating hotels, hold your receipts and FEMA will assist.  To ensure reimbursement, first apply for FEMA assistance through www.fema.gov or 1-800-621-FEMA.  TTY is 1-800-462-7585

Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and
administered.)

Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and dministered.)

Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible
costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)

Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.) Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)

Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact.
This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)

Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)

Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social security matters.  Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as FEMA info, Cont’d Required:

How to Apply for Assistance:   Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents  and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.  The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.  Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.  FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

NEW***Lone Star Legal Aid for free legal assistance to low income families –
call 800-733-8394

FOOD

Conroe:                       
Montgomery County Food Bank
111 S. Second Street
Conroe
Open 10:00 am to 3:00 pm daily

Conroe First Christian Church
3500 N. Loop, 336 West

East County:     
The Mission
22098 Loop 494
New Caney
Open 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Salvation Army Hot Meals – beginning at 12:00 noon

Father’s House
18856 FM 1484
                            
High Point Church (hot meals)
Fostoria & I59
Splendora

Magnolia:         
SOS (Society of Samaritans)
31355 Friendship Lane (Magnolia Community Building)
Magnolia
Open: Beginning September 16, times and duration unknown

Spring:              
Gateway Baptist Church
2930 Rayford Road
Spring
Open 12:00 to 3:00 daily

Willis:               
TLC
110 E. FM 1097
Willis
Open 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm daily

The Woodlands: 
Interfaith of The Woodlands
4242 Woodrush Drive
The Woodlands
Open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm daily

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
7801 Bay Branch
The Woodlands
Open 9:00 am to 5:00pm daily

HEALTH CARE

NEW*** UTMB is manning the Emergency Operation Center through Friday, call 936-482-3100 and ask for UTMB for the following:  Help with Prescription refills, Tetanus Shots or other Vaccines, or Medical Equipment needs.

MEDICAL OXYGEN NEEDS:­  Primary Number: 936.523.5945; Secondary Number: 936.523.5943**

UTMB Minor Emergency Clinic, East County is Open, has power

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Tri County MHMR Services Are Available

• Tri-County's Cleveland Med Clinic opened today. The telephone is working, but we do not have electricity as of yet. ph. (281) 432-1000.
• The Liberty Med Clinic location (also opened today) is temporarily housed at our life skills building - 2221 Hwy 90 ph. 936-336-8741.
• NEW***Tri County MHMR clinic in Conroe at the River Pointe complex is open as of today (we have power).  Crisis services are also operational
• NEW***Lake Area Urgent Care – 18057 Hwy 105 West, Ste. 230 Montgomery, TX  77356 is open from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. until power is back and then will operational as usual.

.
Pregnant women who use services at UTMB:
Women in their third trimester (between 24 and 40 weeks) who receive services at UTMB Conroe and have appointments this week may be seen at the UTMB clinic during the following times: thru - Friday 9/19 - 10:00 am -12:00 pm
MEDICATION
Walgreen’s at Conroe City Hall and Multiple CVS Pharmacies in Conroe are open.   For refills, must have med bottles or detailed receipt (must show exact dosing & medication), photo id and insurance card.  30 day supply can be dispensed on non-narcotic maintenance meds paid for by FEMA when no insurance is available

CURFEWS

Montgomery County:  11:00 pm to 6:00 am

The City of Shenandoah has a mandatory curfew of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The Community Associations of The Woodlands STRONGLY encourages residents not to drive after dark due to inoperative streetlights, blind intersections, and dangerous conditions. Please be careful when approaching all intersections.

School INFORmaTION

Closings
Conroe ISD – closed thru Friday, Montgomery ISD – thru Friday ,  Lonestar College – thru Friday, Willis ISD – thru Monday, Splendora ISD – thru Friday,  Magnolia ISD – thru Friday, 
New Caney ISD – thru Friday, Cleveland ISD – thru Friday

Transportation: All three Park and Ride locations in The Woodlands will resume regular business hours beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Trolleys in the Town Center area are scheduled to run on Monday.

UPDATED…FUEL LOCATIONS:

Conroe
         Exxon 3083 & I -45                                         Conroe Welding, old 75 (Propane)
         Chevron I – 45 & FM 1097                                     Shop-n-go Bouman & Frazier
         Chevron I 45 & League Line Rd                                Exxon 3083 & I-45
         Kroger’s Loop 336W & 105                              Exxon 105 & I-45

East County                                                                        Willis
Flying J 59 & 242                                                             Chevron 1000 W. Montgomery & I-45           
Exxon 1314 & 59
Valero Station 1314& 494

Magnolia
Shell@ FM 1488 & Lake Windcrest                                    Exxon @ FM 1774 & FM 1488
Chevron @ FM 1488 & Lake Windcrest                                    Kroger’s @ 2978 & 1488
Shell @ FM 1774 & FM 2978                                        Shell Food Mart FM 1774 & Hazy Hollow
Exxon FM 149 & Herring                                                Circle S Grocery (Diesel only) 3000                                                                                                 Block Dubbin/Hubsmith
South County –                                                           
Exxon @ Pinecroft                                                             Shell @ Gosling & Research                       
Murphy @ 242 & I-45                                                            Texaco @ I-45 & Pruitt Road                       
Shell I-45 S @ Lake Front Circle                                    Chevron 242/45                       
Wal-Mart 242/I-45                                                             Shell NW corner of Sawdust & I-45
Valero 45 &1488                                                            Kroger 2978 & 1488
Racetrack at 2920                                                            Shamrock 105, ¼ mile east of FM 1485

REBUILDING

City of Conroe:  Contractors seeing permits for repairs to buildings in the city limits, please contact the City of Conroe Permits Department at 936.522.3110.  The city will send a representative to the site to take pictures and issue permits.  The Permits Office will be staffed from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. 

DONATIONS NEEDED:

Montgomery County’s First Responders need to be fed:  The people we count on to get us through these difficult times – EMS, law enforcement and fire - are in need of quick food and drink items they can grab and eat on the run.  Meals are also appreciated.  Please call Carla at.936.582.3100 or email her at carla@mcuw.org

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

Men with Trucks: The Montgomery County Food Bank needs trucks with drivers to make food deliveries to the Food Pantries noted in this update.  Deliveries are made daily.  Please call the Montgomery County Food Bank at 936.539.6686.

Men with Chain Saws and tractors:  Many homes need clean up.  Individuals and groups are invited to email Heddy Orozco at heddy@mcuw.org or call her at 936.648.6255 to discuss projects.  Please leave a message, as cell phone service is still irregular.   

Volunteers to deliver food to homebound:  There are a number of elderly and disabled who are unable to get to food and water.  Please call Vicky Shelledy at 936.499.7089 and leave a message, as cell phone service is still irregular.

Volunteers Needed at Food Banks:  Help needed boxing, sorting and distributing. Please see addresses above in the Food Pantry section.  Arrive ahead of the pantry opening hours to help them set up.
Montgomery County Food Bank
The Mission
NEW***Montgomery Junior High – 19000 Stewart Creek Rd.