Galveston County, TX - Office of Emergency Management - Important Information for Bolivar Residents

Important Information for Bolivar Residents

Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry:
Access to communities on the Bolivar Peninsula via the Bolivar Ferry is not available to the general public due to unsafe conditions at the landings in Port Bolivar. The Texas Department of Transportation estimates it could be 3 – 6 months to complete repairs and resume normal transport operations.

Rollover Pass Bridge:
The bridge over Rollover Pass along Highway 87 has been damaged and currently has only one lane open to passenger vehicles no wider than 12 feet. Law enforcement officials will be directing traffic at Rollover Pass. The Texas Department of Transportation plans to begin emergency repairs to the bridge which should allow 2-way traffic on the bridge in 2 – 3 weeks. Thereafter they will begin construction to restore the bridge. Construction efforts may continue for months to complete repairs.

Debris Removal:

Galveston County has a contract with Crowder-Gulf for the removal of hurricane generated storm debris. The County Road and Bridge crews are currently clearing county roads. The Texas Department of Transportation has cleared State Highway 87 from High Island to Port Bolivar. However, Highway 87 remains treacherous and extreme caution should be used when traveling. As you begin to clean your property, keep in mind that the removal process will go faster if debris is properly separated. Construction debris (lumber, sheetrock, boards, etc.), woody/vegetative debris (tree limbs, branches, etc), white goods (appliances), household garbage, and all hazardous materials/chemicals should each be separated in distinct piles in the county right of way. Debris must be placed on the county right of way to ensure removal. The debris removal process will begin as soon as the logistical issues of access and transportation have been resolved.

Water/Sewer Services:
Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District has a goal of providing water to the west end of the peninsula in 60 days. Water has been restored to High Island. They will sequentially provide water down the peninsula, first to the Gulf Haven pumping station adjacent to Dirty Pelican Pier. They will install temporary flex pipe over Rollover Pass because the main line was broken. Water to subdivisions will remain shut off to maintain overall system pressure. They will be capping off service lines to individual homes throughout this process. The BPSUD has opened a temporary office site in Winnie adjacent to Winnie Feed and Supply at 524 FM 1406. Extended office hours will be announced within the next few days and the telephone number will be announced on the BPSUD website at: www.bpsud.com once it is installed.

Electricity:
Entergy is dedicated to restoration of power to the Bolivar Peninsula and may have power to High Island by late October. You will need to contact your provider to determine time frames for restoration to other areas. Entergy continues to inspect and troubleshoot their substations and equipment, and to mobilize additional resources in to our area.

High Island Independent School District:
Officials with High Island ISD are continuing to make repairs to damages incurred during Hurricane Ike. They are confident that school will re-open in High Island. Tentative plans are to restore classes and student activities by October 6th. At this time, bus arrangements are being made so that HIISD students living in Winnie can be transported to the High Island School. Ice, water and MREs continue to be available in the High Island ISD football field parking lot. Additionally, tetanus shots, hand sanitizer, mosquito spray and basic first aid services are available at this location.

Permitting Requirements for Construction:

Homeowners with property that has been damaged by Hurricane Ike should be aware that they may be subject to flood plain regulations and the Texas General Land Office Beach/Dune rules. Information about these regulations is available from the County website. As well, the GLO has adopted emergency rules to help expedite permitting for the repair of structures damaged by Hurricane Ike. The emergency rules are in effect for 120 days from September 12th. As well, Galveston County is waiving permit application fees for 120 days after September 13th. Please refer to the link on the Galveston County webpage at: www.co.galveston.tx.us/IKE_EMERGENCY_INFO/Information_homeowners.htm for more information.
The County is conducting an initial damage assessment survey for unincorporated areas of the County within the A or V FEMA floodplain zones. The initial assessment will categorize damage to structures (resulting from Hurricane Ike) to the following three categories:

Category 1: No damage
Category 2: Some damage (that is, non-substantial damage)
Category 3: Potentially substantial damage.

Structures assessed as Category 1 will not require permitting action and power will be released.

If the initial assessment lists the damages to the structure as within Category 2, then the County will issue a permit for repair to pre-Ike conditions and release the power. A permit is required to repair structures with Category 2 damage. However, these permits may be issued on-site.

If the structure’s damage is initially listed as Category 3, potentially substantially damaged (50% or more of market value and for uniformity, GCAD value will be used for market value), then a detailed inspection will be required to determine if the structure is indeed substantially damaged. To repair structures that are substantially damaged, property owners will need to submit plans showing that the structure will be reconstructed to current elevation requirements. Floodplain elevation requirements vary depending on the location of the property. If, subsequent to the detailed inspection, it is determined that substantial damage did not occur, then the structure will be reclassified as Category 2, and a permit will be issued and power released.

Additionally, all structures on Bolivar Peninsula will require a new Health District septic system permit or Health District clearance before a building permit may be issued.

Finally, all GLO issues will need clearance before a building permit may be issued for structures on Bolivar Peninsula that are located within 1,000 feet of mean high tide.

Unincorporated areas of Galveston County that are not within the FEMA 100-year floodplain (in Galveston County, these generally are structures within the B and C zones) are not subject to the above rules and property owners will not need a permit to repair/reconstruct and permanent power will be released if requested.

FEMA Disaster Assistance:
Everyone is encouraged to register with FEMA if you have incurred damages resulting from Hurricane Ike. You can register in person at a Disaster Recovery Center, on-line at www.fema.gov, or by phone at (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Housing and hotel information are also available at their website. Answers to frequently asked questions regarding disaster assistance can be found at: www.fema.gov/assistance/dafaq.shtm.