I'm currently on I-10 in Louisiana, just passed through Lafayette and now I'm in Rayne. There's a steady flow of traffic and a lot of energy crew trucks and other construction vehicles heading for Southeast Texas.
Despite all that, we're cruising at a steady 70 mph. I should actually get into Port Arthur about noon or so.
On the way in, we stopped at a McDonald's to grab a bite to eat and we ran into a couple of guys from Hackberry...both of whom said their houses are under water. It wasn't because of the rain so much, but the storm surge from Hurricane Ike left the surge water sitting and it's still sitting in and around their homes.
When we told them we were heading back to Port Arthur they both raised their eyebrows and said 'Good Luck.' I don't think he knows anything more than any of us, because all we're hearing is that Orange County got it pretty bad. I know Mid and parts of South County didn't flood; My Groves neighborhood didn't flood.
Gosh, there is just a line of energy trucks up ahead. It's like a never-ending caravan. Well, at least they're getting there as fast as they can.
And I'm hot on their tail!
The Port Arthur News will be putting out a printed edition tomorrow, probably distributed locally where accessible, possibly to as many subscribers homes as we can get it to. I'm just a couple hours away from getting home and getting right into it all.
For those of y'all on your way in (and hopefully, there's not many), here's a list of road closures put out by the Southeast Texas Emergency Management Office.
IMPASSIBLE ROADWAYS
(DUE TO WATER / DEBRIS / TREES / DOWNED POWER LINES)
FM 105 (ORANGE COUNTY) AT COW BAYOU
SH 87 (ORANGE COUNTY) INTO BRIDGE CITY
FM 1132 (ORANGE COUNTY)
FM 2246 (JASPER COUNTY)
FM 105 (JASPER COUNTY) IN EVADALE
IH 10 AT MP 828 (CHAMBERS COUNTY)
IH 10 AT SH 12 (ORANGE COUNTY) : WESTBOUND LANES OPEN: ONLY ONE EASTBOUND LANE OPEN
IH 10 E AT FM 365 (JEFFERSON COUNTY): LOW HANGING POWER LINES – TTST WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS
HWY 73 (ORANGE COUNTY) AT VETERAN’S MEMORIAL BRIDGE
IH 10 (NORTHBOUND SERVICE ROAD) IN ROSE CITY
IH 10 EB AT MP #862 (ORANGE COUNTY)
HWY 124 – 6 MILES SOUTH OF WINNIE
IH 10 EB AT MP #54 IN STATE OF LOUISIANA
HWY 73 EAST OF ENGLAND ROAD (BOTH SIDES OF ROAD)
HWY 124 EB AT CRAIGEN ROAD
HWY 124 SOUTH OF FM 365 (BOTH LANES BLOCKED)
IH 10 EASTBOUND CLOSED FROM SHELDON TO FM 2100 IN BAYTOWN (HARRIS COUNTY)
SH 124 (JEFFERSON COUNTY) BETWEEN FM 1941 AND SPINDLETOP BAYOU: COWS ROAMING FREE AND DEBRIS INCLUDING DEAD LIVESTOCK
Keep reading. I'll keep posting as I drive around.
Mike Tobias, Port Arthur News
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2 comments:
Bless you for this blog. It's the only news I can get (in Indy) & pass along/text to those who left @ the last minute. We have a brother/son who stayed behind in "Nederland". Neighborhood literally N of Beaumont Airport/Killarney St. -
11 miles N of Pt. A., just West- off of main road N - from coast. Cell is working, but no answer & his Vmail is full. He's at his mother's home - she & his sis went to Tyler. Sis from Orange - news is, her house is standing & no flooding there. We're really concerned about Curt S. Will stay w/ you on your journey. Pray you have a tire patch kit too - that was a serious prob after Rita. xxo, jill in Indy
Thanks for all of the coverage! My parents are anxious to get back home to check on their home and other various properties. What is the best site to check to see when the ban on returning has been lifted? I usually check www.panews.com but want to see if you have any other recommendations.
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