The Disaster Accountability Project’s Hotline received over 80 calls since Ike’s hit.  The following summaries provide a view into what people are dealing with along the TX Gulf Coast.

A DAP radio interview in Houston about the Hotline is posted here

http://www.disasteraccountability.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=88

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.

Trends in more recent Hotline calls:

• Lack of information about available services, especially outside Houston. Individuals without internet do not know where shelters, PODs, and feeding stations are located.

• Gasoline shortage is putting special needs individuals at heightened risk. Many need electricity to maintain health.

• Price gouging for gasoline and generators.

Recent DAP recommendations made to FEMA:

• Create dedicated radio station for constant, regular updates by county of shelter lists, POD locations, open hospitals and wait-times, and other relief services locations.

• Immediate care for special needs populations still sheltering-in-place without basic services and unable to continue self-health-maintenance due to lack of power (i.e. nebulizers for asthma and oxygen tanks).

• Open more phone lines, reduce online access requirements for accessing FEMA services.

 Selected Call Summaries

9/17/08, 08:57: DM, Shreveport, LA  (Ike evacuee)
Issue: Holiday inn on Mindon road asking caller to leave today even though able to pay because hotel is overbooked. Hotel is asking all evacuees to pay with either a credit or a debit card and many of them cannot afford it.
UPDATE:  while many evacuees were forced to pay last night, today they are finding hotels on FEMA evacuation hotel list.

9/17/08, 08:52: Caller X
Issue:  Lack of information regarding Blue Roof program, says usually FEMA and corp of engineers give out blue tarps to cover damaged roofs.  Doesn’t know where to get tarp/how to get them put up.  Supposed to rain again this weekend and says they’ll be in the dark bailing out their attic without tarp.  Would like information on program to be made available to the public.

9/16/08, 22:06: Caller X, Santa Fe, TX 77510
Issue:  Price Gouging.  Says shell station off highway 6 is gouging prices.

9/16/08, 19:15: Caller X,  Baytown, TX just west of Cove,TX
Issue:  No services in area.  Difficult to travel in area- numerous power lines are down, there is water across the road, but there have been no Red Cross or FEMA units in area.  No help for people out there.  Said that the closest location for services is in Baytown, but it is dangerous traveling with children.  Registered area with FEMA long distance, area now has Red Cross managers, but they’re still a good distance away.

9/16/08, 12:23: ER, Brazoria County
Issue: frustrated that there are only 3 POD locations in all of Brazoria County, when the city of “Houston by itself has 17.” Locations in Freeport, Brazoria, Friendswood (has been unable to find POD in Friendswood).  Says the people who are left were not madatorally evacuated and wonders why they aren’t being helped.

9/15/08, 17:44: A, Houston,TX 77072
Issue: No power, water restored Sunday afternoon, some business open in area (beachnut and beltway) but are running low on supplies.  running out of gas.  not many people with ice.  walmarts, most grocery stores are closed.  no ice or water at most restaurants.  Walmart off of kirkwood and beachnut had ice- price gouging.

9/15/08, 15:34: Caller X, Cleveland, TX
Issue:  Zero Services in Cleveland.  Frustrated that services are being advertised/provided in Houston but not in Cleveland.  No Food, people are starving.  Feeling like no one cares.

9/15/08, 12:56: D, Cypress, TX 77429
Issue:  No Power, no water (water dependent on electricity).  Down power line after the storm was not repaired, only moved into someone’s yard.  Has not seen an energy or centerpoint truck yet.

9/15/08, 08:30: Caller X, Alvin, TX
Issue:  Huge service gaps in Gavelston Co./Brazoria Co. Was told to call 211, FEMA and the Red Cross hotlines.  Says that the Red Cross/FEMA are forwarding people to 211, which has the least information.  Says 211 has been generally rude and unhelpful, and the first time she called was told to “knock on a local church door.”  When she called the Red Cross, was told initially that Bush had not claimed area a natural disaster area and couldn’t assist- wouldn’t even give names of shelters.  Eventually told of two shelters in Houston, which could not be reached from Gavelston Co.  Says that FEMA has not yet arrived with aid, or at least has not advertised their presence on 740AM- the only local news radio in the area.  Says “We need to know where relief is and we need to know on a very regular basis.”

More call summaries located in previous post here:

http://blog.disasteraccountability.com/2008/09/15/hurricane-ike-hotline-calls-gaps-summary-91408/