Texas Officials Open 26 New Relief Distribution Sites

[Ian David]

September 17, 2008 5:40 a.m. EST

Houston, TX (AHN) - To address complaints of residents related to distribution of relief goods, Houston Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett directly intervened in the Federal Emergency Management Agency distribution method. The two set up 26 new distribution sites to appease residents who fall in line for hours only to return home empty-handed.

The problem was a disconnect between supplies and demand. White observed distribution sites running out of relief goods as early as 10:30 a.m., while 200 trucks full of supplies were at a parking lot in Reliant Stadium. There were also delays in the arrival of some FEMA trucks.

To solve the problem, the two officials shut down some distribution sites and opened new ones. "Out job we have is to fight for the people we work for and we never forget that... There's a bunch of ice in the parking lot over in Reliant, and there's places to distribute it, and there's people in lines, then somebody screwed up. And we sorted it out," White explained to Houston Chronicle.

Aside from food and drinks, the state is suffering from ice shortage. White said he will try to get more ice-making machines to help residents keep their food from spoiling as many areas are still without electricity.

More:
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7012324793

[babylonsister]

1. Took close to a week, but I'm glad Mayor White is taking the bull

by the horns. FEMA is a disgrace! :grr:

[malaise]

2. That's great news. FEMA is clueless

They are more concerned with preventing media coverage.

That said, Today is Thursday, and any food in a fridge or freezer is spoiled already.
GEM$NBC just said that they have stopped searching for survivors and fears are that they have been swept out to sea.

The saddest part of media coverage is that it appears people had more respect for life and truth during the 1900 hurricane.

add - reword.

[yellowdogintexas]

3. one good thing: food stamp debit cards are being restocked, automatically.

Now I don't know who decided to do this, but it is being done w/o paperwork. Basically if you had spent anything off your Lone Star Card after the Sept 1 deposit, your card is being supplemented.

I do not know if they are being completely refilled or just a set amount being added, just that it is being done.

a triple gold star to whomever had the epiphany that it cost less to just do it than to have to make people apply for it.

I took a lot of calls on this issue when I volunteered at the 211 call line earlier this week, and the decision was made sometime late Sunday or early Monday.