Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disaster Response topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County, cities and nonprofits describe relief effort after May 8 straight-line windstorm
Summary
County emergency staff and commissioners reviewed response to a May 8 straight-line windstorm that knocked down poles and blocked roads; agencies, nonprofits and private haulers provided debris removal, shelter and casework support.
Nueces County emergency management staff and county commissioners described an interagency relief effort after a straight-line windstorm on May 8 that the county said produced 115 mph winds, damaged homes and downed roughly 500 power poles across several communities.
What happened: Emergency management staff briefed the court that the storm’s damage range extended from Alice through Driscoll and affected rural communities. County personnel said the event caused widespread service interruptions and blocked county roads overnight.
Response and partners: County staff thanked a long list of partners who staffed a resource and information center and helped residents apply for assistance: the Coastal Bend Council of Governments, Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living, Rural Economic Assistance League, Texas Resource Advocates, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Frontier Waste Solutions (debris removal), Church Unlimited Westside Mission (food, clothing, showers), Nueces County Public Health District, Nueces Electric Cooperative (repairs to restore electricity), the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension disaster assessment and recovery team, the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration that was issued for neighboring Jim Wells County and then extended to adjacent counties, and other volunteers.
Debris removal and funding: County staff reported that Frontier Waste Solutions had removed 154 tons of material and conducted 72 loads to the landfill (waived fees by the city of Corpus Christi were noted). The county described roughly 2,160 cubic yards of debris removed (staff discussed truck loads and volunteer hours), and noted that the SBA disaster declaration for Jim Wells County allowed adjacent counties to use SBA assistance for residents affected in Nueces County.
Why it matters: Commissioners stressed the need for coordinated, rapid response plans and noted the county’s role in convening partners. Several commissioners said the event was a “dress rehearsal” for larger emergencies and urged residents to maintain 72-hour kits and neighbor readiness.
Next steps: County staff said cleanup will continue and there will be further outreach to residents to apply for available assistance and repair programs. Staff also said the county would continue to coordinate with Frontier and other providers on additional debris removal rounds and resource center staffing.
Ending: Commissioners thanked staff and the volunteers and urged residents to use available assistance hotlines and local resources if they continue to have unmet needs.
