The Disaster Accountability Project’s hotline received over 40 calls in the last 24 hours.  The following summaries provide a view into what people are dealing with along the TX Gulf Coast.

An mp3 of a DAP radio interview in Houston is posted here: (only 15 mb)

http://free.mailbigfile.com/7f15645ee07464813eb95ffd0bb4356c/listFiles.php

We’ve been able to respond to some callers, but not all.  There are also many phone line/lack of power issues preventing some returned calls.

Other tips were more information-sensitive and we cannot disclose those summaries on our blog for fear of compromising the access and supporting roles in the disaster response/relief effort of those that provided the tips.

It is our hope that the availability of this information will help ensure services are better delivered and suffering is reduced.   We are also doing what we can to tell callers about services in their area (ranging from shelters to hospitals) but we do not yet have the capacity to do this for all callers.

** Note ** The Hotline recording tells callers that the Disaster Accountability Project does not provide disaster relief/response services.

Some Major Trends

• Little to no communication on the ground.  Many people are confused about what is available and why they have heard nothing.
• No Cooling Stations, No Ice, No Food, No Generators
• Nobody knows which hospitals are open, where to find shelters
• People with special needs in Houston and surrounding areas are stranded.  People do not know how they will keep insulin cold, or have access to nebulizers, or oxygen tank refills.
• Price gouging is occurring with gas and generators
• Many callers were frustrated that FEMA is asking those seeking aid to apply online.  Even those that call are soon after prompted to continue their application online.  With over 2 million without power, internet access not realistic.
• Other callers referenced long waits on the Red Cross and FEMA hotlines, only to be ultimately disconnected.  Note:  With extended power-outages, relief organizations/agencies must be accommodating of Ike-survivor needs.
• DAP Recommendation:  A public-access radio station should be established ASAP to provide 24/7 information about shelters and other services.

ND, Montbellevue, TX
Issue:  Need Assistance as to Food/Ice.  No Stores open, and unsure when/where FEMA or other assistance will be available to them. Have some water, no power.

DF, Houston, TX   *RESOLVED*
Issue:  Brother Lives at  apartment complex for disabled adults.  3 inches of water in the apartment, no water, no electricity, no management onsite.  Wants to make sure they get assistance.

HM, Humble, TX 77346
Issue: FEMA Hotline, Generator:
Uses a C-PAP machine.  Couldn’t locate a generator before storm but were told ones were being brought in.  Called FEMA hotline, couldn’t get through- annoyed at suggestion of applying online when 90% of area without power.

Liberty, TX 77575
Issue: ICE.  no electricity, no water, running low on food, no fuel for generators.  doesn’t know who to contact for assistance.

LD, Houston, 77021
Issue: Ice.  Both of caller’s parents are on insulin- no power- need ice ASAP.

WP, Houston, TX   *DAP helped WP find Nebulizer, other issues remain. Needed Nebulizer again, major difficulties continue to exist*   Issue: Medical/Hotline issues:   Asthmatic.  Needs to use nebulizer.  drove 25 miles to an emergency room last night but was closed.   trying to find a place with fresh air and to get cool.  Tree fell on house/utility lines, ripped breaker box from house/part of roof off.  Has been waiting on FEMA/Red cross hotlines for an hour/hour and half and then being disconnected.

Caller X, TX
Frustrated with limited information available on the radio.  wants weather reports/to know which stores are open/where to buy a generator/how to get ice.  says all talk, but nothing is happening.

FR, Cypress, TX 77432
Issue:  No power, no phone service, losing water.  needs to know how to get services.

Caller X     Issue:  Frustrated by everyone on local radio saying “check us out online” when he says there are 2.2 million w/ no electricity, cable, telephone.  says it is aggravating.

RS, Houston 77091
Issue:  Needs Ice and water for asthmatic children.  Asked to have someone sent out with ice and water, doesn’t seem to know who to contact?

MW, Porter, TX 77365
Issue:  Ice.  Doesn’t know who to contact, all stores in area are closed, no local access to ice.  No power.

MO, Hitchcock, TX 77563
Issue:  Wonder if/where services are available.  No power in area, no access to food or gas. Says it is an apartment complex and they’re trying to band together as much as possible, but they’re running out of food.  They know of aid in gavelston, but don’t think they can get there without access to gas.  Said anything we know about aid in area would help.

DF: Easton, TX 77022
Issue:  Resolved!  DF called earlier requesting assistance for her brother in an apartment complex for disabled adults.  Called back to say that they have received assistance.

CK, Humble, TX
Issue:  Truck is selling generators for $800 in front of a Toys R Us.  People are buying 12-15 at at time, and selling them down the road for $1000, and making it impossible for the people a the end of the line to buy a generator for less than $1000.

WR, Humble, TX 77346
Issue:  Contacted FEMA hotline.  When Zip code was entered, was instructed to go online.  No power in area.  Also told to use a cell phone, says no cell phone access/coverage in area.

WP, Houston, TX 77087
Issue:  Believes he heard Gov. Perry say that if you received an ID number from FEMA you could take it to any approved Hotel/Motel and receive living quarters without having to pay and be reimbursed.  He would like it verified and publicized.
Anything else said: Called earlier regarding a respiratory problem and was directed to an open hospital where he received help. Also said that it would be nice to have this information available to those that need it.  Also, mentioned: “thanks again very much for your efforts.  not just for me but for everyone else”

PC, Houston, TX
Issue: Frustrated by lack of publicity about shelter locations, or places to get water,  carbohydrates, a place to cool off. He had not heard of one in Houston since the storm as of 5pm on 9/14.

JL, Rosharon, TX 77583                                                                                           Issue:  Zero services in Brazoria County.  Called FEMA and 211 and was unable to locate any aid.  No food, water. Heard that there was housing available, but doesn’t know how to locate it.

RA, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Issue: Frustrated by a lack of emergency response.  No power, power lines down, no electrical trucks coming through.  No word about shelters, food.

DY, unknown
Issue:  Called with confusion as to why insurance companies are encouraging policy holders to call for aid, as when he contacted his property insurance company (allstate) he was informed that because the damage was caused by a windstorm, his property insurance did not cover the damage.  Holds windstorm insurance, but wonders why the property insurance companies are advertising as they do not directly cover windstorm damage.

JG, Friendswood, TX
Issue: Question about where and how to acquire a generator.  Unsure if it’s a part of disaster relief as received no information about it.

DA, Pasadena, TX
Issue:  Has been trying to call FEMA for two days and is now being told it is not a vaild number.  No computer, no power to get online.  Needs to contact FEMA for employment assistance.  No Ice.

GR, League City, TX 77573
Issue:  Area without mandatory evacuation.  Zero services. Zero information about services.  No Shelters, water, ice, food, cooling stations.  The Local Red Cross (el camino and bay area) is closed and there is no information regarding services posted.  He’s been driving truckloads of people to a local church to try to find food.  People are wandering the streets with nowhere to go.

DC, Houston, Texas
Issue: After transporting spouse, who needs electricity to maintain comfort, to hospital, had several confrontations with Centerpoint power because they will not put people with special needs on a critical care priority list to restore electricity.  Says it should be a main priority in determining where power is restored first.  Would like some assistance in knowing how to deal with them, and would like issue addressed/publicized.

CR,  Baytown, TX 77520
Issue: Doesn’t know where to go for assistance. Would like to know who to call or addresses of places providing relief, specifically in terms of water and food.

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