USACE in last stages of Hurricane Rita recovery

[dreadpirateroberts]

USACE in last stages of Hurricane Rita recovery

April 17, 2006

BEAUMONT, TEXAS (Army News Service, April 17, 2006) – With less than two months before the official start of the 2006 hurricane season, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is well on its way to claiming full recovery of Hurricane Rita in southest Texas.

USACE announced April 12 that debris removal along resident curbsides was completed, and Orange County officials declared the area safe.

"With the completion of Orange County, we are completely done with debris removal throughout the hurricane disaster area,” said Col. Steve Haustein, commander of the USACE’s Recovery Field Office.

“The team effort of Corps personnel, contractors, elected officials and, most importantly, the citizens of southeast Texas, was critical to this success," he said. "We have kept our commitment to stay until the mission is complete."

The elimination of debris included the removal of trees and other materials from public property. Trees and wood debris left alongside the roadways are currently being gathered and hauled off by USACE contractors. Much of the debris is being shredded.

Approximately, 4,934,000 million cubic yards and 19,656 stumps have been picked up and delivered to reduction sites around Southeast Texas. Orange County had almost half of the debris volume with 2,164,030 million cubic yards of debris and 8,150 stumps.

USACE also completed Operation Blue Roof last December, after providing temporary repairs to roofs in 22 counties. USACE workers installed 20,871 blue roofs at a total of $44 million – roughly $2,100 per house – at no cost to citizens.

USACE also helped house displaced residents. The organization received 3,881 temporary housing applications and leased 3,642 units before turning the mission over to FEMA March 6. COE employees served as liaisons with families and conducted final inspections with applicants.

“I know I speak for all 900 plus Corps of Engineers employees who volunteered to be part of this mission when I say it has been an honor to assist in the recovery of Southeast Texas following this tragic disaster,” said Haustein.

Under the National Response Plan, USACE provides support to the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency by executing such missions as providing ice, water, power, debris removal, temporary housing, temporary roofing and logistical support.

(Editor's note: Information provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.)