Hurricane Ike: Response Information; Houston/Galveston, TX

Source report excerpt: “Hurricane Ike Update: Ike made landfall in the Galveston/Houston area of Texas last night as a Category Two/Three Hurricane (~110mph winds). Storm surge was 20-25ft in some areas. There is severe wind, storm surge and flooding damage in large regions of Texas with USCG, FEMA, and National Guard personnel responding. For the latest information tune into the Weather Channel, CNN, MSNBC news, etc. For further weather information see NOAA's National Hurricane Center website at: (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/). For the NWS weather briefing you can also go to: (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/tropical/atlantic/). Personnel Update: Charlie Henry is driving to the USCG Sector Houston-Galveston command center […]”

Source report excerpt: “The regional NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator, Charlie Henry, arrived at the USCG COOP location in Katy Texas on Saturday evening just behind Hurricane Ike. During the drive from Baton Rouge Louisiana, flooding was observed in Lake Charles Louisiana and heavy wind damage in Beaumont Texas. The USCG CO outlined the overall mission as SAR, Assessment, and Response with a general progression in that order. Factoring into the response decisions are impacts/recovery actions that support of the public and commercial industries. At the end of the day yesterday, the USCG rescued more than 130 individuals. Currently, the Houston Ship Channel is closed. Water levels have dropped significantly, but […]”

Source report excerpt: “One area just identified by the NOAA NGS survey with extensive damage to oil production facilities and storage tanks is the High Island area. A single geo-referenced aerial photograph and the enlargement of one portion of that same image is attached to provide some prospective. There may also be additional pollution associated with flowlines and/or pipelines. In addition, it appears that there are tanks and vessels stranded in this area that are also releasing pollution. Sheens and black oil can be seen flowing over the marsh, because the marsh was underwater when the image was taken. The point being, from a managed expectation prospective, it will be several days before we have a good […]”

Source report excerpt: “There is a Stafford Act declaration for 29 counties of Texas for Individual and Public Assistance. Number of the act is Texas 1791 and it was declared on 13 Sep. FCO is Sandy Coachman. -- Eli Reinharz NRDA Trustee and NOS HS SMT Representative NOAA, Office of Response and Restoration Assessment and Restoration Division 1305 East-West Hgwy, SSMC #4, N/ORR3 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Office: 301-713-4248 x 193 Fax: 301-713-4387 Cell: 703-581-9018”

Source report excerpt: “NOAA Activities 9/15/08 Attended morning Command and General Staff meeting. Coordinating with other NOAA assets in the area including COOPS, NRT, and NWS. Preparing briefing documents and visual aid for pollution sites, discrepancies to Aids to Navigation, and status of 185 facilities (inspected and in compliance, inspected and non-compliant, not yet inspected). Currently closed ports are: Freeport Texas City Galveston Houston Ship Channel (open for barges <16 draft) Port Arthur Lake Charles Inter-coastal waterway is open for movement from HSC to Matagorda. USCG has placed a high priority to open Freeport to get the ferries moving. There are about 80+ aids to navigation that have been put […]”

Source report excerpt: “0700 Morning Brief Summary Pollution cases: 16 red (to be addressed) 13 yellow (to be monitored) 23 green (no action) Port Arthur needs to be linked up with Houston for TX ESF-10. Port Charles will be separate operation under LA ESF-10. [Charlie is heading to Port Arthur today to get a situational update and will coordinate with Ed in Houston. Then he will depart to Port Charles and then to Baton Rouge] Facilities Status (of those inspected to date): Freeport – 28 inoperable, 7 damaged but operable, 3 fully operational Galveston - 6 inoperable, 6 fully operational Port Arthur - 10 inoperable Vessel in Queue: Lake Charles – 4 Offshore Beaumont – 7 Offshore Port Arthur – 16 Offshore Galveston […]”

Source report excerpt: “43 ISO containers have been identified near Greens Bayou washed up on the Kinder Morgan and Mega Fleet facilities. These are mixed hazmat containers. Some have IDs for cyanide, explosive, and several unknown. A private contractor has been hired to perform the removal. They are in the process of developing a removal plan.”

Source report excerpt: “9/16 1700 Evening Brief 43 ISO containers have been identified near Greens Bayou washed up on the Kinder Morgan and Mega Fleet facilities. These are mixed hazmat containers. Some have IDs for cyanide, explosive, and several unknown. A private contractor has been hired to perform the removal. They are in the process of developing a removal plan. Initial facility inspections of all facilities should be tomorrow. Salvage operations in the Houston Ship Channel should begin tomorrow. Field reports of pollution sites are in the process of just coming in and will be available for the morning brief.”

Source report excerpt: “14:45 eastern: AUV team has completed all work in Galveston Harbor and AUV is currently underway completing its assigned mission in Texas City channel. AUV team reports confirmation that the item the AUV struck yesterday is a large sunken vessel. Most likely the missing 108 foot supply vessel. SSS imagery of the stern indicated a beam of approximately 12 meters. AUV team will relay imagery this evening if an internet connection can be secured. Details of the find have been relayed to Tim Updike verbally. Excellent news from the AUV. With each use, the AUV is proving its usefulness in these response situations. Fly away team/Terpin have completed their assigned work in the Neches river from […]”

Source report excerpt: “Personnel, equipment, and mission impact as previously reported. The Office of Coast Survey participation in hydrographic surveying in the wake of Hurricane Ike is winding down. Today's operations 1. NOAA Flyaway team: Team completed their assigned work on USACE vessel Terpin surveying Neches river from the port of Beaumont south to buoy 42. This junctions with the data NRT1 collected to the south. Data will undergo final processing tonight but the team did report that no significant contacts were noted while surveying. The entire assigned area of the Neches River has been completed with single beam Center Line and quarters with concurrent side scan resulting in 200% side scan coverage. The […]”

Source report excerpt: “Coast Guard focuses on recovery operations after Hurricane Ike http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16823&Itemid=57 KATY, Texas – Coast Guard crews continue recovery operations in the wake of Hurricane Ike, focusing on search and rescue, pollution response and reopening the Houston Ship Channel. Since Friday, search and rescue crews in a joint effort with the Texas National Guard and the California Air National Guard flew 511 missions, saving 209 lives. To date, 101 pollution cases are reported in the Houston-Galveston and the Port Arthur areas. Reports continue to come in, and that number is changing. Some of these materials can be dangerous to boat operators […]”

Source report excerpt: “MMS Reports on Ike Damage Assessments Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 10:55 AM Minerals Management Service (MMS) reports that as of September 15, 2008, 28 of the 3,800 offshore oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico have been destroyed by Hurricane Ike. Several other platforms have been reported as significantly damaged; information on those facilities is being compiled and will be released in the near term. Initial estimates are that the destroyed production platforms produced a total of 11,000 barrels of oil per day and 82 million cubic feet of gas per day. (See table below.) The damage has been reported through over flights by MMS, the oil and gas industry and the U.S. […]”

Source report excerpt: “1. NRT1 has completed their work in the Sabine River. The boat has been trailered to the hotel in Lake Charles. The team will process their data tonight and into tomorrow. Anticipate reporting out any findings by late morning. NRT1 plans to head back to Pensacola tomorrow after the data is processed. NRT1 team: McMann, Pavilonis, and Piantanida. 2. Flyaway: Team completed survey of Port Iberia, LA channel today. Team is in New Orleans. Fly away gear was dropped off at a Fed-Ex location this evening for return shipment to Norfolk. Kuzirian and Moore have flights scheduled, departing NOLA tomorrow. Kuzirian to Norfolk and Moore to NRT6 in San Francisco. 3. AUV team, Downs, Brodet, and Sparr […]”

Source report excerpt: “SSC Evening Report 9/18: Attended morning command and general staff meeting. Posted situation unit briefing on ResponseLink. Second meeting of the day was with USCG air ops concerning overflight logistics and “Falcon View” software. It’s a program similar to OziExplorer. Expected Don Pitts from TX Fish and Wildlife, but he called back and said he will arrive tomorrow. Genwest fully engaged in preparing grid maps for pollution assessment and continued mapping of current pollution cases. SSC flew an overflight (see flight path and GoogleEarth image in attached document). There were numerous spills of large scale spotted, as well as storage tanks that were damaged, moved, collapsed, or […]”

Source report excerpt: “9/19/08 SSC Evening Report: Prepared a Power-point briefing for the Captain of the Port to make him aware of the extent of oil in marshes. A very broad initial estimate it that there is oil in an area covering 100,000 acres (+ or -). The quantity of oil varies greatly from minor sheens to heavy collections. The TGLO is contemplating two potential in-situ burns in the marsh. The SSC forwarded background reference documents to the planners. Jim participated in an overflight. Updating all Information Management products with most current data. Improved the design and look of postings by changing base map to a nautical chart. Working with the USCG to relocate the command post function for ESF10 […]”

Source report excerpt: “Levine and Jeansonne attended initial meeting of EPA, USCG, TGLO, and TCEQ to stand up the ESF10 response function out of Port Arthur. Discussion included delineating boundaries, identifying GPS coordinate usage, ICS designations, tracking system and coordinate system, ISB in the J B Murphee Wildlife Mangement Area, Hazmat staging and temporary storage location, CP resources list and needs, and meeting schedule. Jim will fill in details. NOAA Simecek-Beatty and USCG Strike Team LCDR Rochester conducted overflight of east Galveston Bay and reported 23 observations (see ResponseLink for details). Also, produced a guidance concerning 'black water" phenomena. Removal of the sodium cyanide totes […]”

Source report excerpt: “SSC Port Arthur Evening Report: 2200h, 20Sep08 by Jim Jeansonne Levine and Jeansonne attended initial meeting of EPA, USCG, TGLO, and TCEQ to stand up the ESF10 response function out of Port Arthur. Discussion included delineating boundaries, identifying GPS coordinate usage, ICS designations, tracking system and coordinate system, ISB in two parts of the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area, Hazmat staging and temporary storage location, CP resources list and needs, and meeting schedule. Port Arthur CP will be coordinating pollution response for Jefferson and Orange Co., TX only (as of this time). CP is located in the Target Store parking lot near the Sector Port Arthur HQ near 2901 […]”

Source report excerpt: “9/21 SSC Evening Report: Working with USCG and EPA in preparation for the transition to the Pasadena ESF10 command post. The new location is 5200 Burke Road, Pasadena, TX 77504. Monday morning we will all report to this location to stand up the unified ESF10 activities. We anticipate a few bumps in the road, but are hopeful that it will be as seamless as possible. We are ordering equipment to support the activities there. There were no NOAA overflights requested today. The USCG has requested that we turn on Incident News tomorrow for outreach efforts. I will coordinate with the PIAT here for information to populate the site. Information management personnel are fully engaged in supporting […]”

Source report excerpt: “NRDA Update #9 9/21/08 2100 h Three NOAA RRCs (Jessica, Dan, and Troy) are planning to be in the Houston/Pasadena area on Monday to discuss logistics and staffing, interface with ERD, and participate in field efforts during the week. Today one team of Texas trustees conducted a field survey in the Houston Ship Channel area and one team visited the newly-established Port Arthur command post to prepare for fieldwork in the area tomorrow. In the opinion of the field representatives, no major oil pollution issues were observed in the field today. On Monday, field teams will assess reported spills in several wildlife refuges in the Beaumont/Port Arthur area. Two airboats contracted with IEc will […]”

Source report excerpt: “SSC Port Arthur Evening Report: 2300h, 21Sep08 by Jim Jeansonne, SSC EPA, USCG, TGLO, and TCEQ continuing to sort out roles and responsibilities as they stand up the combined ESF-10 Port Arthur Branch. Discussions included delineating boundaries, assessment/ops teams makeup and which contractors would be the OSRO. EPA (Eric Delgado) is the FOSC, CG (Lt Pete Zauner, Strike Team rep) is Deputy. Port Arthur Branch coordinating pollution response for Jefferson and Orange Co., TX only. Branch attempting to transition from separate CG and EPA databases to EPA database, and finding challenges in doing so (to prevent loss of operational picture that CG is familiar with). Branch isn’t using a full […]”

Source report excerpt: “9/22 SSC Evening Report: Provided Situation Unit at the Hilton CP with updated morning information. Completed the transition from Hilton CP to the Pasadena ESF-10 CP. NOAA ERD team and NRDA team are now co-located. We are working with the EPA to coordinate information management and division of labor concerning oil spill assessment and response, verses hazardous materials. We are hoping to have a coordinate system and wiring diagram by the COB today or early tomorrow. The SSC worked with TGLO, TCEQ, US F&WS, USCG, EPA, and NOAA to develop spill site prioritization, guidelines for cleanup crews on acceptable countermeasures, endpoints, and sign-off protocol. At the request of the USCG Public […]”

Source report excerpt: “Coast Guard and partners continue to respond to 202 reports of pollution along Gulf Coast HOUSTON - The Coast Guard continues to work Saturday with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Texas General Land Office, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to assess and expedite the cleanup of pollution that resulted from Hurricane Ike. The agencies have identified 156 sites with reports of pollution in the Houston-Galveston area and 46 sites of pollution in the Port Arthur, Texas, to Lake Charles, La., area. Assessment teams investigate reports of possible cases of pollution and prioritize the cleanup efforts. Once a reported […]”

Source report excerpt: “Unified Command Established for Post-Hurricane Ike Pollution Response PASADENA, Texas - Four federal and state agencies established a unified command here Monday to efficiently coordinate efforts to contain and clean up oil and hazardous materials in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Members of the Environmental Protection Agency, Coast Guard, Texas General Land Office and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality comprise the Unified Command. Field workers from these agencies are working with local agencies to assess, contain and clean up spills and hazardous materials. The Unified Command are responding according to federal guidelines in Emergency Support Function (ESF) #10. This provides an […]”

Source report excerpt: “9/23 SSC Evening Report Relocated within the Pasadena command post from the EPA Planning Section to be more integrated with the USCG operations. We had to move our equipment, but it was not a big setback in time. Being in closer proximity to the USCG is making information flow easier, as well as walking fewer miles per day back and forth. Working with the IMAT planning coach to implement a situation unit display board. The EPA initial use of the situation unit was to write reports to keep their regional office informed, not the command post. We are working with the IMAT to realign that philosophy with ICS protocol and better organizational structure and awareness. Debra took an overflight […]”

Source report excerpt: “9/24 SSC Evening Report Attended morning brief. Oil cases to date in Houston AOR: 174 total 7 to be assessed 90 assessed and being worked 77 no further action Oil cases to date in Port Arthur AOR: 60 total 0 to be assessed 29 assessed and being worked 31 no further action The EPA regional administrator is expected at the CP today. Admiral Atkins (DOG) is expected tomorrow. Worked on a decanting plan with the TGLO, TCEQ, EPA, and USCG. Ironed out an information management plan between EPA, USCG, and NOAA. EPA START contractors will begin capturing data from USCG & EPA field teams equipt with PDAs loaded with Response Manager software. Eventually, within the next few days, START may replace […]”

Source report excerpt: “9/25 SSC Evening Report Attended morning brief. Oil cases to date in Houston AOR: 164 total 6 to be assessed 82 assessed and being worked 76 no further action Oil cases to date in Port Arthur AOR: 61 total 0 to be assessed 28 assessed and being worked 33 no further action Admiral Atkins (DOG) attended the morning brief. He was available for conversation. He is preparing to suggest to the Vice Commandant that they develop an executive level Marine Environmental Response course. Something aimed at the admiral level that would last for no more than 3 days. It sounded like a god idea to me. I was able to give him one of the FOSC SSC job aids. Briefed him on our role here so far. We have a […]”

Source report excerpt: “9/26 SSC Evening Report Attended morning brief. Oil cases to date in Houston AOR: 9 to be assessed 45 assessed and being worked 43 no further action Oil cases to date in Port Arthur AOR: 0 to be assessed 29 assessed and being worked 34 no further action Oil cases to date in Galveston AOR: 1 to be assessed 28 assessed and being worked 44 no further action Hotel = Regency Inn & Suites, 9114 Airport Blvd., Houston, TX 77061, 713-944-3004. Working with the TGLO to coordinate with the SHPO to ensure that we are in compliance with NEPA. Jessica White (ARD) helping to write the marsh “playbook” for EPA response activities.. Information management personnel are fully engaged tracking and updating […]”

Source report excerpt: “9/27 SSC Evening Report Attended morning brief. Oil cases to date in Houston AOR: 97 Total cases 9 to be assessed 40 assessed and being worked 48 no further action Oil cases to date in Port Arthur AOR: 65 Total cases 0 to be assessed 19 assessed and being worked 46 no further action Oil cases to date in Galveston AOR: 73 Total cases 1 to be assessed 27 assessed and being worked 45 no further action Hotel = Regency Inn & Suites, 9114 Airport Blvd., Houston, TX 77061, 713-944-3004. Working with the TGLO to coordinate with the SHPO to ensure that we are in compliance with NEPA. Jessica White (ARD) helping to write the marsh “playbook” for EPA response activities.. Information management […]”

Source report excerpt: “Evening Report Sept. 28, 2008 SSC took an overflight this morning. Ostensibly the flight was an area familiarization flight, but it turned out to look more at reported, but unconfirmed targets. Never the less, the flight was a good general review of the area, albeit less extensive than desired. Began work with TGLO on determining which sites would receive formal site inspections (including UC and stakeholder attendance) and which could be signed off by the Reconnaissance (Recon) Group. Clearly, sites that have involved the use of OSROs will be included on the list for the inspection teams. Other sites will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. At present, the master list includes about 25 […]”

Source report excerpt: “Evening Report Hurricane IKE, Houston Sept. 29, 2008 Marsh Recovery Plan Coordination Meeting SSCs Henry, Benggio & Lehmann met in Port Arthur, along with EPA, TGLO and USCG, to coordinate on future operations to extradite large debris from marshes and wetlands (reference recent photograph: “Energy Reserve Group” for an example of such debris). The basis of the plan will be the documents developed in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita by NOAA/ORR and others. Future actions associated with this item • A meeting on Thursday afternoon in the Pasadena Command Post with key players to work through the plan and future actions. • Coordination with key approval authorities, including Army […]”

Source report excerpt: “Evening Report Hurricane IKE: Houston Oct. 01, 2008 Site Visits Tues: SSC accompanied the FOSC to the Exxon/Mobil Baytown site at the request of the Recovery Team to discuss endpoints with the facility. The area is heavily industrialized with virtually no access to the public. The contamination is along riprap shoreline and primarily “cover”. In one small stretch (perhaps 100-200 feet) the oil is “coat,” fresher looking and producing a limited sheen (see photos). The on-scene TGLO representative believes the area does not need any greater active treatment and that passive sheen control (sorbent boom) will be sufficient. However, in discussions with the RP, it was suggested that the use of […]”

Source report excerpt: “Evening Report 02 October 2008 Hurricane Ike Response: Pasadena, TX Worked with USCG, TGLO and Exxon on agreement regarding the surface washing agent application procedures. The FOSC has signed the proposals with restrictions, under the authority given by the RRT (see attached). The facility has the option to proceed with the attached restrictions or continue with conventional techniques. We are awaiting a response from the facility. Marsh Recovery Plan Meeting We held a meeting to discuss plans to recover large debris, mostly tanks and containers of various sizes, from the marshes and sensitive sites in the impact zone. Attendance included: USEPA (OSC, Ops Chief, Data Mngt) USCG (OSC, […]”

Source report excerpt: “Evening Report October 08, 2008 Updates All but 5 sites have been signed off as meeting endpoint criteria. The largest number of sites were signed-off as a batch by the UC after review of documents and recommendations. The sites that remain open: • Goat Island (TEK & St. Marys): site passed to MSU Galveston • TRC: Awaiting Texas Railroad Commission sign-off • Cedar Point: finishing container removal (minor pollution left) • Sunken shrimp boat The surface washing agent application at ExxonMobil/Baytown was successfully deployed (see previously uploaded After-Action Report to the RRT). SSC worked with a variety of stakeholders and trustees to develop a plan for the recovery of containers (55 […]”