Rita Recovery Costs Across Baytown and Chambers County
After Hurricane Rita Baytown and Chambers County faced heavy debris cleanup costs and evacuation bills. Baytown spent over 450000 on debris removal with nearly 300000 in labor and equipment, mostly reimbursed by FEMA. Nearly 1300 residents were evacuated via Goose Creek and METRO buses to Houston and other cities, a move described as a massive, lessons-learned effort. Chambers County reported 2004 2005 budget strain but recovered most FEMA funds totaling about 1.33 million of 1.7 million applied for, with overtime and generators among the largest nonreimbursable costs. Anahuac saw about 82 thousand sought, only 24 thousand received due to processing issues.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jackson
Leiper
FEMA
Goose Creek
METRO
San Jacinto Mall
Lufkin
Nacogdoches
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston
Rita
Chambers County
Jimmy Sylvia
Sylvia
Anahuac
Guy Robert Jackson
Rita flood aid progress for East side residents
Chambers residents living in FEMA trailers in Hankamer and Anahuac report ongoing recovery. Precinct 1 Commissioner Mark Huddleston notes most East side homes are largely repaired and livable, with debris removal remaining and grants hoped for for uninsured or underinsured homeowners.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hankomer
Anahuac
FEMA
Precinct 1
Mark Huddleston
Cleanup drags on one year after Rita in Southeast Texas
One year after Hurricane Rita, West Orange and surrounding areas struggle with debris removal and rebuilding. Workers like Sam Henry haul trash, patch roads, and clear fallen trees while residents face exhaustion, damaged homes, and long FEMA trailer days. Officials warn of continued stress, higher 911 calls, and mounting costs, with repair completing gradually over another year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West Orange
Texas
Sam Henry
Texas Department of Transportation
Henry
Texas-Louisiana
FEMA
Rita
Sheila LeLeaux
Sabine Pass
Louisiana
Houston
Orange County
Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission
LeLeaux
West
Prejean
Rogers Lumber Co
Rita Buck
Nichol Bishop
Carl Thibodeaux
Thibodeaux
Trial begins against bus company in Rita tragedy
In McAllen Texas jurors prepare to hear charges against Global Limo Inc president James H Maples for conspiring to falsify driver time records and failing to inspect buses. A 2005 fire on a Dallas freeway killed 37 residents of Baghton Gardens during Hurricane Rita evacuation. The case signals potential changes to special needs evacuation and bus safety regulation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mcallen
Texas
James H. Maples
Global Limo Inc
Maples
Baghton Gardens
Houston
Dallas
Juan Robles
U.S. Department of Transportation
Also Mentioned on This Page
Baytown
Bfgoodrich
Goodyear
Garth Rd
PVA Ag
Tech
Destiny
Irelli
Yokohama
Dunlop
Decker Dr
Channelview
Sheldon Rd
Gan
Mike White
David J. Phillip
BY Lynn Brezosky
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