Hurricane Ike Update

General Assistance

Call 2-1-1 or, if you are calling from outside of Texas or have technical difficulties when dialing 2-1-1 from your cell/mobile, voice-over-IP, or office location phone, please dial the toll free alternate access number at 877-541-7905.

Road Conditions and Re-entry to Southeast Texas

The number to call for road conditions on state highways is 800-452-9292.  Further updates can be found on the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) website at:
http://www.txdot.gov/travel/hurricane.htm
TxDOT is advising against travel to Houston and Beaumont at this time and reports that motor fuel is in short supply.  Check on road conditions before you decide to return.

Power Outages and Shortages

Power/electrical information and the status of each company in the impacted counties may be found on the website of the Public Utility Commission (PUC):
http://www.puc.state.tx.us/files/ike.cfm
If you have specific questions about electrical service problems, call the PUC Assistance Hot Line at 888-782-8477.

Phone Service

AT&T is reporting that the company’s core network supporting wireless and wireline services continues to perform well.  Only two of the 154 central offices in the affected area-one on Galveston Island and a small central office in Port Bolivar-are out of service.  They also report that they have 2,000 technicians deployed in affected areas along with 2,800 generators in position to keep up their network in areas without power.  AT&T is putting up portable cell towers and supplementing coverage in areas where the network has been damaged.

Evacuees are being supported with free Wi-Fi access at hot spots across Texas including: select McDonald’s restaurants, Barnes & Noble locations, and AT&T Experience Stores^SM.  Free voice, data, and entertainment services are being provided in large evacuation centers.
For more information, call AT&T customer support at 800-331-0500.

Gas Outage or Leaks

To report a natural gas leak or emergency, please call 800-959-LEAK (5325), if you are a Texas Gas Service customer.

If you are a CenterPoint Energy Customer, call 800-722-9326.

If you are uncertain, call 9-1-1 immediately. 

Do not assume your local gas company is aware of the problem, especially after a natural disaster.

If you smell gas, leave the area immediately.  Do not use your phone, electric switches, computer, or anything that could cause a spark.  Go directly to a safe location.

Tax Help

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has created a one-stop webpage for hurricane-related tax information.  The Comptroller’s Hurricane Ike information page is located at:

http://www.window.state.tx.us/disaster

Coastal Reconstruction

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson has put emergency rules into place to allow coastal property owners to begin immediate work to stabilize structures and begin repairs caused by Hurricane Ike.

The rules are available at:

http://www.glo.state.tx.us/res_mgmt/coastal/pdf/Ikeemergencyrules-09-12-08.pdf 

Property owners can contact the Texas General Land Office at 800-998-4GLO.

Insurance Issues

If you need information, have a complaint, or can’t locate your agent or company, call the toll-free TDI Consumer Help Line at 800-252-3439.

The Consumer Help Line is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Federal Assistance

Residents who have uninsured losses due to Hurricane Ike, should register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at www.fema.gov/assistance/register.shtm.

Disaster Assistance from the American Red Cross

If you have immediate emergency needs for food, clothing, shelter, or medical care or you wish to make a donation to support the victims of Hurricane Ike, you can visit one of the local offices of the American Red Cross or call the toll-free number at 800-RED-CROSS.  You may also visit the website to donate to the Red Cross to assist with disaster relief at http://www.redcross.org/.