One might think it strange: a 40- to 50-foot petroleum tanker that washed up on an island near Cow Bayou.

Even though not as visible, there are still hundreds of people coming in a steady flow to Orange County helping those that have no other means of repairing their homes after Hurricane Ike.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) recently announced a $10 million award to help restore Orange’s stock of affordable rental housing damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ike. The award is expected to bring greater stability to the lives of low income tenants and help jump start further redevelopment activities in the region.

Cindy and Michael Chataignier moved to Bridge City in 1996 as part of Michael’s work with the Federal Prison System.

In the year since Hurricane Ike, Bridge City officials have kept up with permit records in the “A” Flood Zone – the area most hit by the storm surge.

Robert Sullivan, manager of the Bridge City Walmart presented a check for $1,000 to Richard Solomon, chairman of the  ‘We Remember’ committee.  Solomon said the donation will help with the presentation of the event planned on the anniversary of Hurricane Ike, Sept. 13.

A 55-mile barrier as tall as 17 feet is being proposed along the Texas Coast.

A study in 1975 wasn’t very successful with the public, or elected officials.

According to the AP, the grand idea for what would probably be the biggest seawall in the nation faces some major hurdles itself, chief among them a price tag of up to $4 billion.

Property owners with proof of loss claims on Hurricane Ike flood damage have until March 12 to file, however, there seems to be some confusion regarding the deadline.

Kevin Ward of Homespecs, a full-service contractor based in Groves and working in the Bridge City area, said property owners can be “locked in” to their current adjuster’s quote if they don’t file by March 12.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Texas Division of Emergency Management has announced that the governor’s request for a four-month extension to the Direct Assistance provided for temporary housing has been granted for eligible hurricane Ike individuals and families. The program originally slated to end March 12 has been extended until July 9.

Daily progress continues to be made as a federally mandated “End of Program” date of March 12, 2010 approaches for all occupants of temporary disaster housing units provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

The “We Remember” Committee consists of Richard Solomon, Charlotte Hamilton, Bridge city Councilman David Rutledge, Christy Teague, Bridge City Mayor Kirk Roccaforte and Sarah Briggs.

Richard Soloman and Sarah Briggs attended a check presentation of $1,000 by Jeff Parrent, president of L.T.C. Professional Builders, Inc. to the We Remember celebration, scheduled for Sept. 13 at Community Park. The check was accepted by committee member Christy Teague.

Hurricane Ike, more than 10 months ago, has taken a bite out of alligator populations in the coastal marshes along the upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Bridge City DRT sets departure date

Friday, it will be six months since Hurricane Ike blew through and destroyed Bridge City, a good portion of the Cove and other areas of Orange County. 

When several family members had their homes destroyed in Hurricane Ike, Pflugerville school teacher Betty Trusty, knew they needed assistance. “I sent out an e-mail to my faculty and where I used to teach,” said Trusty. “I was just bombarded with people that wanted to help.”