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THIS SUNDAY, MY MESSAGE WILL BEGIN TO ALL HOUSTONIANS.
THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE BERYL VERY, VERY SERIOUS.
OUR WORST ENEMY IS OUR COMPLACENCY.
WE CAN'T ALLOW US TO ALLOW THIS STORM TO SLIP UP ON US.
IT'S STILL VERY UNPREDICTABLE, BUT I AM SURROUNDED WITH A PROFESSIONAL TEAM OF CITY DIRECTORS, FIRST RESPONDERS, PROBABLY THE BEST TEAM EVER TO BE PREPARED FOR A STORM LIKE BURL.
WE HAVE TOTAL COLLABORATION WITH EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT.
I'M GONNA YIELD IN A MOMENT TO OUR TWO FINE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PREPARATION, HOW THEY'RE READY TO HELP HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS.
CITY OF HOUSTON, RESIDENTS, HISD, HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH US.
NO SCHOOL, NO SUMMER SCHOOL, TOMORROW OR TUESDAY.
CITY EMPLOYEES, UH, HAVE BEEN ASKED UNLESS THEY'RE FIRST RESPONDERS, TIER ONE, TO STAY AT HOME AND WORK AT HOME.
TOMORROW, TOMORROW AFTERNOON, WE WILL MEET AND DETERMINE WHAT THE STATUS IS GOING FORWARD WITH CITY EMPLOYEES AND SERVICES FOR TUESDAY.
BUT TOMORROW, CITY EMPLOYEES ARE TO WORK FROM HOME.
MUNICIPAL COURTS, OTHER SERVICES WILL BE SUSPENDED AND DETERMINED LATE TOMORROW EVENING.
ABOUT TUESDAY, WE'VE BEEN NOTIFIED BY OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
COUNTY JUDGE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS PREPARED TO ASSIST HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, FORT BEND, OTHER SURROUNDING AREAS.
NEVER HAVE WE EXPERIENCED THE COLLABORATION OF MULTIPLE LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND DEPARTMENTS.
WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE EMERGENCY CENTER IN AUSTIN, ACTING GOVERNOR DAN PATRICK HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ME SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.
I NEEDED NO INTRODUCTION TO HIM.
BY THE WAY, THE STORM PERIOD UNDER THE BEST INFORMATION THAT WE JUST RECEIVED FOR THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, AROUND MIDNIGHT, THINGS WILL BECOME VERY TENSE.
SO I WANT HOUSTONIANS TO KNOW THE WORLD.
THE CONDITIONS THAT YOU GO TO SLEEP UNDER TONIGHT WILL NOT BE THE SAME THAT YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING.
12 TO SIX, SUPPOSED TO BE VERY INTENSE.
SIX TONIGHT WIND, 60 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR.
WIND GUSTS, TROPICAL WINDS, SERIOUS RAIN COULD REACH UP TO LEVELS TO 12 OR MORE INCHES, CERTAINLY BEGINNING WITH SIX TO 12 INCHES.
SO WE WILL HAVE STREET FLOODING.
SO MY REQUEST BASED ON THE BEST INFORMATION, IS STAY OFF THE ROADS, CERTAINLY BEGINNING AT MIDNIGHT.
METRO WILL SUSPEND THEIR SERVICES AT 10 30 TONIGHT.
FINAL RUNS WILL END AT NOON AT 12 O'CLOCK TONIGHT, AND WILL BE STARTED BACK UP AT EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING IN MAKING DETERMINATIONS AS WE GO THROUGH THE DAYS.
HOW CAN HOUSTONIANS HELP US? HELP THEM BY STAYING AT HOME, LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR FAMILY, YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR PETS.
WE CERTAINLY WANNA KNOW ABOUT OUR MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IF YOU HAVE SENIOR CITIZENS THAT YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR, TAKE CARE OF THEM.
WE WILL HAVE STRONG TROPICAL WINDS.
BUT LET'S GET THROUGH THIS NIGHT, TOMORROW, LIKE ONLY HOUSTON KNOWS HOW.
WE'VE ALL WORKED ON PROJECTS LIKE THIS SUCCESSFULLY, AND WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
THE COLLABORATION IS SOMETHING THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER.
NO ONE DOES IT BETTER THAN HOUSTON, BUT WE NEED YOU TO HELP US BE SMART, BE SAFE.
STAY OFF THE ROADS, FURNITURE OUTSIDE.
TAKE YOUR YOUR LAWN CHAIRS, YOUR POOL EQUIPMENT INSIDE.
DO EVERYTHING THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO DO TO GET READY FOR THIS STORM.
HOPEFULLY THE STORM WILL COME THROUGH TOMORROW.
IT'S FAST MOVING, AND THEN WE CAN ALL ASSESS WHERE WE ARE TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND PREPARE FOR TUESDAY.
WITH THAT SAID, I WANT TO YIELD TO MY COLLEAGUES AT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO GIVE US A, A STATUS REPORT FOR YOUR PRECINCT AND HOW THE CITY AND THE COUNTY CAN WORK IN COLLABORATION.
AND AS A CITY RESIDENT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN.
REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.
UH, ON BEHALF OF, UH, PRECINCT TWO, JUST WANT TO
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ANNOUNCE THAT ALL FACILITIES OF, UH, PRECINCT TWO OPERATIONS WILL BE CLOSED.AND, UH, AND WE ARE, UH, WATCHING THE CONDITIONS.
WE ARE EXPECTING A STORM SURGE TO BE A CHALLENGE TO MY COASTAL CITIES.
AND SO WE ARE, UH, CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AND WE'LL BE TRACKING IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
MY PUBLIC WORKS CREWS ARE READY, UH, TO EXERCISE DEBRIS REMOVAL AS QUICKLY AS THE CONDITIONS ARE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.
I DO WANNA REITERATE, UH, WHAT MAYOR WHITMEYER HAS TOUCHED ON THE BEST WAY.
LOOK, WE'VE GOT THE BEST FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT HERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, BUT WE DON'T NEED THEM TO BE PUT IN ANY UNNECESSARY, UH, DANGER.
AND SO IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED FLOOD CONDITIONS BEFORE, THINK ABOUT IT NOW, NOW IS THE TIME TO REMOVE YOURSELF, UH, FROM THAT POTENTIAL RISK.
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO ASK OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO GO OUT THERE THERE AND DO DANGEROUS, UM, RESCUE OPERATIONS UNNECESSARILY.
SO, PLEASE, UH, THINK ABOUT THAT.
UH, WE DO WANT TO MENTION THAT DURING THE LATER IN THE WEEK, UH, WE'RE GONNA BE CONCERNED, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I WILL BE CONCERNED ABOUT, UH, WHAT WE MAY BE SEEING ALONG THE SAN JACINTA RIVER.
UH, SO WE'RE, WE'RE GONNA BE TRACKING THAT AS WELL.
UH, BUT AS MAYOR, UH, WHITMEYER SAID, I WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE WIND WILL BE OUR GREATEST THREAT, AND THAT, UH, 10 O'CLOCK TONIGHT SHOULD BE YOUR NO GO ANYWHERE TO BE ON THE ROAD.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE DO ALL YOU NEED TO DO.
NOW, IF YOU NEED TO GO BUY SOME SUPPLIES OR SOMETHING, GO TAKE CARE OF THAT NOW.
BUT 10 O'CLOCK SHOULD BE A NO GO ANYWHERES ON THE STREETS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
WE DO NOT NEED YOU TO BE IN ANY MORE, UH, DANGERS, UH, UNNECESSARILY.
AND THEN, UH, PRECINCT TWO OPERATIONS FOR COOLING CENTERS AND CHARGING CENTERS WILL BE DETERMINED ONCE WE HAVE A COMPLETE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT REPORT, UH, FROM MY OPERATIONS.
AND, UM, AS, UH, AND, AND AS WE'VE BEEN HEARING, THIS WILL BE A FAST MOVING EVENT THAT WILL BE, UH, SOMETHING THAT WE HOPE WILL STAY THE, STAY THE CONDITION, SO THAT WE CAN GET, UH, BRO THROUGH HERE AND OUTTA HERE AS QUICKLY AS, UH, AS POSSIBLE, AND WE CAN GET OUR ECONOMY BACK UP AND RUNNING.
MAYOR WHITMEYER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING, UH, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I TO BE HERE, UH, TO BE A PART OF YOUR TEAM.
COMMISSIONER BRION WANTED TO BE HERE, BUT HAD, UH, BABYSITTING CONFLICTS OF ISSUE, BUT SHE IS MONITORING THIS CAREFULLY WITH US AND IS A FULL PARTNER WITH THESE OTHER COMMISSIONERS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON LEADERSHIP.
LEMME, MR. FIRE, WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD INDICATED.
JUST KNOW THAT WE'RE PREPARED FOR THE STORM.
AS WE'VE, AS WE KNOW, THIS ISN'T OUR FIRST RODEO, AND THERE IS MANY VETERANS OF MANY DIFFERENT HURRICANES THAT ARE OUT THERE NOW.
WE'VE GOT 16 CREWS PRE-POSITIONED IN PRECINCT THREE FOR AREAS WE KNOW THAT WILL BE FLOODING.
SO WE'VE GOT THE PEOPLE IN THE FIELD, THEY'RE THERE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE RAIN THAT'S COMING.
IT COULD BE EIGHT INCHES, IT COULD BE 12 INCHES, AND THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EIGHT AND 12.
SO WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE RAIN PART OF IT.
HOPEFULLY THE WIND, UH, STAYS, UH, AS DOWN AS MUCH AS IT COULD.
BUT SPEAKING FOR PRECINCT ONE, I KNOW THEY'VE GOT, UH, KATIE HERE AND, AND PRECINCT FOUR, WE'RE WORKING WITHIN THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF ALL OF OUR CREWS WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE CITY TO RESPOND.
SO BE ASSURED THAT YOUR COUNTY AND YOUR CITY GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO DEAL WITH WHAT'S COMING.
WE'VE GOT THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND AND, AND KNOW THAT, THAT THIS TIME TOMORROW, I THINK WE'LL BE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS EVENING.
ALSO, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE PARTICIPATION BY THE STATE OF TEXAS.
WE'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH TXDOT, WHO IS ALSO PREPARING THEIR RESOURCES.
THE DPS IS PREPARING AND PRE-POSITIONING TROOPERS TO HELP US IF THERE'S ANY, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE STATE.
AND FOR CERTAIN, THE STATE EMERGENCY CENTER IS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH US AND PRE-POSITIONING WATER AND OTHER NECESSITIES IN CASE WE LOSE POWER OR OTHER, UH, REQUIREMENTS.
UH, SO LET ME MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE HEAR FROM OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, EVERYONE BEHIND ME IS A FIRST RESPONDER, PUBLIC WORKS, SANITATION HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
ALL OF US ARE COLLABORATING, AND I'VE NEVER SEEN THE PREPARATION IN THE COOPERATION.
PEOPLE WANNA WORK FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION, PEOPLE FROM THE SURROUNDING AREAS ARE CALLING.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO ASSIST THE STATE IS IN OTHER SURROUNDING
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COUNTIES? LET ME, UH, ASK CHIEF SATTERWHITE TO COME.WE'VE ACTUALLY BROUGHT ON ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES, WHICH I WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE REASSURED.
NOT ONLY, UH, YOUR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY, BUT YOUR PROPERTY SAFETY IS BEING, UH, TAKEN IN CONSIDERATION BY, BY, UH, HPD CHIEF SAT WRIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
SO, SIMPLE FACT IS, IS THAT, UH, WE ARE MORE PREPARED NOW THAN WE EVER HAVE BEEN FOR A STORM LIKE THIS.
UM, I SAID BEFORE, I THINK WE HAVE INCREASED OUR FLEET NOW TO ABOUT 20 HIGH WATER RESCUE TRUCKS THAT WE HAVE PRE, PRE-POSITIONED AROUND THE CITY.
WE HAVE 30 BOATS PRE-POSITIONED.
WE HAVE, UM, PERSONNEL, HUNDREDS OF PERSONNEL WHO'VE BEEN TRAINED IN SWIFT WATER.
UM, HOW CAN THE PUBLIC HELP? LET ME, UH, ECHO THE MAYOR AND THE COMMISSIONERS, UH, TO STAY OFF THE ROAD.
UH, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GONNA SEE OUT THERE.
SO AFTER 10 O'CLOCK, IF YOU STAY OFF THE ROAD, I WILL GO A STEP FURTHER AND ASK THE, UH, BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS.
YEAH, IF YOU COULD HELP US OUT.
IF YOU CLOSE EARLIER, YOU GET YOUR EMPLOYEES HOME SAFE, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY ELSE COMING OUT.
SO WITH THAT, UH, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER.
AND CERTAINLY, UH, HOUSTON FIRE PLAYS A VITAL ROAD, AND I WANT TO YIELD TO THE CHIEF OPINION AT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND BRINGING US ALL TOGETHER ON THIS MESSAGING.
UM, OUR OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THOSE, UH, INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ALREADY AFFECTED BY THE STORM, BUT CERTAINLY OUR ACTIONS ARE FOCUSED HERE WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
LIFE SAFETY IS GONNA BE OUR PRIMARY, UH, FOCUS.
AND WE'LL ENSURE THAT OUR RESOURCES ARE ALREADY IN PLACE TO, UH, BE ABLE TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO, TO WHAT'S EXPECTED.
UM, WE'VE PARTNERED AND WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OUR PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE, THE COUNTY, BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE, UH, HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSH'S OFFICE TO ENSURE THAT, UH, THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE PREPARATIONS THAT THEY NEED.
AND TO GO AHEAD AND START COLLABORATING ON ANY RESOURCES THAT WE MAY, MAY BE ABLE TO SHARE.
IT IS ONE BIG COMMUNITY AND, AND WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT, UH, THAT WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR, FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THE NEXT THING IS FOR THE, OUR RESIDENTS TO FINALIZE THEIR PREPARATIONS.
AND AS THE MAYOR AND THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE MENTIONED, HEED THE WARNINGS.
MAKE SURE YOU STAY CONNECTED TO REPUTABLE NEWS SOURCES.
STAY CONNECTED WITH, UH, THE ALERTS.
SIGN UP FOR ALERT HOUSTON TO ENSURE THAT YOU'RE RECEIVING CRITICAL UPDATES ON, ON CHANGING CONDITIONS.
AND WITH THAT, UH, OUR, OUR RESOURCES ARE IN PLACE.
WE HAVE ADDITIONAL WATER STRIKE TEAMS. WE HAVE ADDITIONAL HIGH WATER VEHICLES.
WE HAVE OUR WILDLAND TEAM THAT'S READY TO, TO TEAM UP WITH PUBLIC WORKS TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE CLEARING THE BREEZE FROM THE STREETS.
BUT, UH, WE ASK THE PUBLIC TO DO THEIR PART.
IF WE HAVE POWER OUTAGES AND YOU'RE GONNA USE GENERATORS, BE CAUTIOUS ON HOW YOU USE THOSE GENERATORS.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING IS A REAL THING.
EVERY TIME WE GET THESE MAJOR STORMS. AND POWER OUTAGES, ENSURE THAT YOUR GENERATORS ARE SERVICED.
ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A WORKING CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR.
RESERVE 9 1 1 FOR TRUE EMERGENCIES.
IF YOU HAVE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU WANNA REPORT, UH, USE EITHER 3, 1, 1 OR 2, 1 1 APPROPRIATELY.
BUT 9 1 1, RESERVE THAT FOR EMERGENCIES.
SECURE ANYTHING IN YOUR PROPERTY THAT, UH, THAT CAN BE A PROJECTILE.
THE MEN, THE MAYOR MENTIONED, UH, YOUR, YOUR, UH, PATIO FURNITURE, YOUR TRASH CANS, ANYTHING THAT, UH, THAT CAN BE BLOWN AWAY BY BY THESE WINDS.
MAKE SURE YOU SECURE THOSE, THOSE DOWN.
AND AGAIN, STAY OFF THE ROADS.
WE'RE GONNA, WE EXPECT TO HAVE SOME STREET LEVEL FLOODING.
ANYTIME THERE'S WATER ON THE ROAD, THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR YOU TO BE STUCK IN THAT, IN THAT WATER.
DON'T EXPOSE YOURSELF AND DON'T EXPOSE THE FIRST RESPONDERS THAT WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND, AND AFFECT A RESCUE FOR, FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE STUCK IN, IN HIGH WATERS.
SO, WITH THAT, AGAIN, UM, OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
I WANNA THANK THE MAYOR AND EVERYBODY BEHIND US, UH, FOR THE EFFORTS THAT THEY'RE, THAT THEY'RE DOING IN THIS RE IN THIS REGARD.
AND, UH, AS CHIEF REMINDED ME, BECAUSE THERE IS NO GARBAGE PICKUP TOMORROW, TAKE YOUR CONTAINERS INSIDE AND NIGHT.
I KNOW SOME IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
PLACE THEM OUT ON THE STREETS ON SUNDAY NIGHT, TAKE 'EM INSIDE.
THEY WILL BECOME FLYING OBJECTS THAT WE JUST NEED TO BE VERY PROACTIVE IN GETTING INSIDE.
I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON EVERY ONE OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN BEHIND ME.
IT IS SO IMPRESSIVE IN OUR, UH, WORK SESSIONS TO SEE THE PREPARATION IN THE LAST 24 HOURS ALL NIGHT LAST NIGHT.
THEY'LL BE THERE THROUGH THE NIGHT TO NIGHT OR INTO TUESDAY, IF NECESSARY.
BUT ONE THAT IS ESSENTIAL IS ANGELA BLANCHARD, OUR, UH, OFFICE OF RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY, WHO HAS HANDLED THESE STORMS AND BEEN INVOLVED IN THE RECOVERY OF KATRINA AND OTHERS.
I WANT ANGELA TO GIVE US ADVICE AND COUNSEL, IF YOU VULNERABLE, WHAT NUMBER DO YOU CALL IF IT'S AN EMERGENCY, ALL THE LIST OF RESOURCES THAT
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THE PUBLIC CAN REACH OUT TO.CERTAINLY YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL THE CITY ON, NOT EMERGENCY MATTERS.
BUT ANGELA, WILL YOU GIVE US THE WISDOM OF YOUR EXPERIENCE COMING THROUGH SERIOUS STORMS IN THE PAST? THANK YOU, MAYOR.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, UPPERMOST IN MY MIND TODAY, ARE THOSE OF YOU LISTENING WHO ARE STILL RECOVERING FROM FLOODS IN THE RECHO AND NOW SCRAMBLING TO MAKE THE LAST PREPARATIONS AND ANTICIPATION OF WHAT IS GOING TO BE.
AS YOU'VE HEARD, BOTH A WIND AND WATER EVENT, WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR BOTH.
BOTH STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR NEIGHBORS.
REMEMBER THE PERSON CLOSEST TO YOU THAT CAN GET TO YOU.
THE QUICKEST IS YOUR NEIGHBOR.
AND THAT'S THE PERSON THAT YOU CAN MOST QUICKLY GET TO TOO.
IF YOU NEED HELP MAKING PREPARATIONS, GET A NEIGHBOR AND GO FINISH ACT.
NOW, THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT THING I WANT YOU TO KNOW IS THAT THE NONPROFITS ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK, FOR EXAMPLES ALREADY STEAD STOOD UP.
THEY'RE, UH, EMERGENCY FOOD ACTIVATION.
THEY'RE STILL FILLING PANTRIES THAT WERE EMPTIED OUT FROM THE DERECHO, BUT THEY'VE ALSO STAGED EMERGENCY FOOD IN ANTICIPATION OF THE AFTERMATH OF THIS STORM.
UNITED WAY IS STANDING BY AT 2 1 1.
IF YOU NEED RESOURCES, IF YOU NEED COUNSELING AND HELP MAKING DECISIONS, REACH OUT TO 2 1 1.
IF THERE'S SOMEONE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD AND YOU'RE NOT QUITE SURE IF THEY'RE REGISTERED, CALL 2 1 1.
IF ALL OF THIS HAS BECOME OVERWHELMING, THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.
WE LIVE IN A REGION WITH ENORMOUSLY RESILIENT PEOPLE, BUT IT'S ALSO, WE'VE ALSO BEEN THROUGH A STRING OF UPHEAVALS THAT HAVE STRETCHED RESOURCES.
AND LET'S FACE IT, SOMETIMES TEMPERS AND EMOTIONAL STABILITY.
IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING, PLEASE REACH OUT TO 9, 8, 8.
IT'S A CRISIS HOTLINE, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THERE THAT CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH AND ALSO HELP YOU FIND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
SO THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, WE DON'T WELCOME STORMS. BUT WHAT I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN IS THE CAPACITY OF THE CITY AND COUNTY LEADERS IN THIS REGION TO FORM QUICKLY A COLLABORATIVE AND COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE, WHICH IS WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE TODAY AND WHAT YOU'LL SEE AGAIN THE NEXT TIME.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS ALL HANDS ON DECK.
WE'RE WORKING HARD AT THE COUNTY AND THE CITY LEVELS.
SO HOUSTONIANS HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND OUR SURROUNDING FRIENDS WILL BE SAFE.
WE DO NEED HOUSTONIANS AND THE RESIDENTS TO DO THEIR PART BY COOPER COOPERATING WITH THE ADVISING COUNCIL THAT WE'VE GIVEN TODAY TO TOGETHER.
WE'LL GET THROUGH THIS STORM AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST.
UH, WITH THAT SAID, IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR UN UH, GARCIA DONE.
YOU WERE GONNA HAVE YOUR AND CHIEF MEMBERS, YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND, UH, DO THE TRANSLATION.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'D LIKE TO TRANSLATE FOR OUR RESIDENTS, CHIEF PENA, CHIEF ENERGY,
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TOR, THANK YOU ANNA, AND THE PERSON THAT ALLOWS THIS EMERGENCY CENTER TO BE SO EFFECTIVE AND PROTECT THE PUBLIC, AND ALLOWS THIS CENTER TO COMMUNICATE WITH FIRST RESPONDERS IN ALL THE DEPARTMENTS IN THE REGION.WILL YOU GIVE US A REPORT ON WHEN YOU'RE GONNA RAISE, UH, THE TEMPO AROUND HERE? I KNOW AT SEVEN O'CLOCK WE'LL BE ALL HANDS ON DECK.
WE'LL BE WORKING THROUGH THE NIGHT, BUT IF YOU'LL, UH, GIVE US THE BENEFIT OF YOUR SCHEDULE AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
UH, BASED ON EVERYTHING WE'VE HEARD TODAY.
UM, JUST WANNA MAKE EVERYONE AWARE OF THAT.
THE LAST THREE DAYS WE'VE BEEN MONITORING, RIGHT? WE HAVE BEEN AT INCREASED AWARENESS TO ENSURE GETTING THE MESSAGES OUT, BUT NOW WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, AND, UH, AND ALONG WITH ALL OUR STAKEHOLDERS BEHIND US.
SO AT 7:00 PM TODAY, WE'RE GONNA GO TO LEVEL TWO, WHICH IS HIGH READINESS.
WE'RE STILL GONNA BE PASSING OUT ALL THE INFORMATION.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS NOW WE'RE GONNA BE INTERNALLY WORKING TOGETHER.
WE'RE GONNA BE SPENDING THE NIGHT TO, AND WORKING DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE.
THE MESSAGES ARE GONNA BE GOING OUT THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.
WE WILL BE WORKING, UH, WITH OUR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, UH, AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.
IF ANYTHING SHOULD CHANGE, THAT INFORMATION'S GONNA GO OUT.
BUT I WANT THE PUBLIC TO REST ASSURED THAT WE HAVE BEEN PREPARING, WE ARE PREPARED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO ALERT HOUSTON.ORG TO GET THAT INFORMATION.
WE'RE GONNA BE PASSING THAT INFORMATION OUT THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.
BUT AGAIN, WANNA EMPHASIZE PUBLIC WORKS, H-F-D-H-P-D, OUR STAKEHOLDERS, OUR NGOS.
WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE.
WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE STILL, UH, WAITING FOR SOME DEBRIS TO BE PICKED UP FROM THE
THE LAST STORM WE HAD COME THROUGH THE CITY EVER GONNA FIX.
IS THAT GONNA BE DELAYED? NOW I'M GONNA BRING THE EXPERT, MARK.
WELL, FOR OUR DIRECTOR OF SOLID WASTE, LET ME JUST SAY, BECAUSE I SEE SOME OF THE DEBRIS, I GET THE CALLS.
I'VE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED SINCE OUR LAST STORM WITH THE RESPONSE HE'S REACHED OUT TO PRIVATE CONTRACTORS.
NOW, OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER, ALL AS MUCH AS I BRAG ON EVERYONE WE DEAL WITH, WE'RE, WE'RE GONNA DO BETTER.
UH, BUT I'VE BEEN SATISFIED WITH THE DEBRIS PICKUP AND HE, UH, MR. WOLFER HAD BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS STORM, UH, AS IT DEALS WITH DEBRIS, AND HE'S GOT PEOPLE PRE-POSITIONED READY TO DEAL WITH ADDITIONAL DEBRIS.
MARK, WHY DON'T YOU GIVE US A REPORT? YEAH, THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THAT SECOND PASS, I BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO, WAS SUPPOSED TO START TOMORROW.
UH, UH, OBVIOUSLY WITH THE IMPENDING STORM UPON US, WE'LL HAVE TO DELAY THAT SECOND PASS, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT WE STILL INTEND ON PROVIDING THAT DEBRIS REMOVAL SERVICES FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO HAD ADDITIONAL DEBRIS TO PLACE OUT AT THE CURB FROM THE DE RATIO STORM.
AND THEN SIMULTANEOUSLY WILL CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE THAT THAT COULD BE CREATED BY THE IMPEDING STORM THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO, UH, HAVE UPON US.
AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, UH, MAYOR WHITMEYER MENTIONED THAT WE HAVE PRE-POSITIONED CONTRACTORS TWO THAT ARE ACTIVATED NOW.
WE STILL HAVE TWO MORE IN OUR ARSENALS, UH, IN CASE THE DAMAGE, UH, AGAIN, TENDS INTENSIFIES OR SPREADS BEYOND OUR CURRENT CAPACITY.
SO JUST KNOW THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS PLENTY, PLENTY OF CAPACITY TO ADDRESS ANY STORM RELATED DAMAGES.
ARE THOSE CONTRACTORS PRE-POSITIONED IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS OR
THEY, THEY'RE PRE-POSITIONED WHERE WE ASSIGN THEM AT.
AND THE BEAUTY OF IT IS WE STILL HAVE OUR ORIGINAL PREPOSITION CONTRACTORS ON BOARD WITH US TODAY AS WE SPEAK.
QUESTION, WHERE ARE THEY POSITIONED? OH, ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY WHERE WE NEED 'EM AT.
YOU KNOW, THEY'RE CURRENTLY DOING THE SECOND PASS DEBRIS REMOVAL OR GETTING READY TO, SO THEY'RE PREPARED TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AS NEEDED, UH, IF THE DAMAGE EXPANDS BEYOND WHERE WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING.
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NOT TODAY.UH, AGAIN, THEY'LL TAKE TODAY OFF.
FOLKS ARE STILL COMING IN FROM THE 4TH OF JULY, UH, HOLIDAYS.
AND AGAIN, WE'LL WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE STORM DOES, AND WE'LL REGROUP OVER THE NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS.
AND THEN WE'LL BE UNLEASHING OUR, OR RELEASING OUR PLANS, UH, TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.
AND I'D LIKE TO STOP AND THANK OUR SANITATION WORKERS.
UH, THEY'VE WORKED LONG HOURS, UH, AS, AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES.
THEY MAKE ALL OF OUR JOBS POSSIBLE BY THE, UH, RANK AND FILE.
AND, UH, THOSE CONTRACTORS THAT YOU MENTIONED, WE'RE NOT GONNA LET 'EM GO HOME OR LEAVE UNTIL THE DEBRIS IS PICKED UP.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? UH, CAN WE GET ANY IDEA OF WHERE ANY TIME VIEW, UH, CREW POSITION IN CERTAIN AREAS? SO, FOR RESCUE PURPOSES, UH, WE'VE GOTTEN POSITION IN THE NORTHWEST AREA, IN THE KINGWOOD AREA, UM, IN THE CENTRAL AREA AND THE SOUTHWEST AREA.
WE ANTICIPATE THIS STORM AFFECTING MORE OF OUR WESTERN SIDE OF OUR CITY, MORE SO AND SO THE MAJORITY OF OUR CREWS ARE THERE, BUT WE DO HAVE 'EM ALSO AT CENTRAL, AND WE HAVE THEM UP IN KINGWOOD, WHICH IS ALWAYS A CONCERN FOR US.
SO THAT'S OUR, THAT'S OUR, OUR TRAINED CREWS.
BUT, YOU KNOW, WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF OFFICERS TRAINED IN SWIFT WATER.
WE'RE GONNA BE OUT THERE PATROLLING, TRYING TO KEEP, MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S SAFE.
AGAIN, I WILL SAY THE LESS PEOPLE ON THE ROAD, THE EASIER IT IS.
IT IS FOR US TO DO OUR JOB, THE LESS CHANCE THAT WE WILL HAVE TO PERFORM A RESCUE.
I WOULD ALSO ADD, I MEAN, IT'S SAID EVERY TIME, AND IT NEEDS TO BE SAID AGAIN BECAUSE WE STILL SEE IT.
IF YOU DO HAVE TO GO OUT ON THE ROADWAY IN A VEHICLE AND DRIVE AROUND, IF YOU SEE A BODY OF WATER ON THE ROADWAY, DO NOT DRIVE INTO THAT THINKING.
UM, WE, THAT CREATES A PROBLEM FOR US ALL THE TIME.
AT MINIMUM CARS, UH, ARE LOST TO THAT PERSON.
SO DO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, PROTECT YOURSELF AND PROTECT YOUR FAMILY.
DO NOT DRIVE INTO BODIES OF WATER THINKING YOU'RE GONNA GET THROUGH THAT AND JUST HELP US BY STANDING OFF THE ROAD.
AND THAT MAKES ME WANNA REMIND YOU, AS THE CHIEF SAID, WHERE WE'VE RE PREPOSITIONED ITEMS BECAUSE IT'S SUPPOSED TO AFFECT THE WEST SIDE MORE THAN OTHER AREAS.
ALL AREAS ARE OF CONCERN, BUT THIS STORM HAS BEEN UNPREDICTABLE FROM DAY ONE.
SO, YOU KNOW, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WHEN YOU GO TO BED TONIGHT, YOU'RE GONNA WAKE UP TO A DIFFERENT SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE MORNING AT SIX.
SO YOU NEED TO STAY TUNED, STAY AT HOME, AND, UH, PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND PROPERTY.
ANYONE ELSE? IS THERE ANY SORT OF, THAT YOU COULD OFFER ON REPAIRS TO THE LAKE LIVINGSTON DAM OF THE STORM? YES.
PUBLIC WORKS WAS GIVING US REPORT ON THAT EARLY.
RANDY, YOU WANT TO GIVE US A STATUS REPORT ON LAKE LIVINGSTON? YEAH.
LATEST INFORMATION WE HAVE, THEY'RE CONTINUING THEIR EMERGENCY REPAIRS.
THEY POURED, UH, OVER 500 YARDS OF CONCRETE.
THERE IS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RIP WRAP THAT'S BEEN PUT IN PLACE.
THEY SUNK A NUMBER OF BARGES AS A PART OF, OF, UH, AND THOSE WILL BE PERMANENTLY SUNK AS PART OF THIS EFFORT.
THEIR REPAIRS INTEND TO CONTINUE ON FROM THE INFORMATION THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN EVEN THROUGH, UH, TODAY AND TOMORROW.
UH, THEY FEEL OVERALL VERY CONFIDENT THAT, UH, WHATEVER IS COMING THEIR WAY, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND AND PUBLIC WORKS HAS LOWERED THE LEVEL OF LAKE HOUSTON BY A FOOT IN PREPARATION FOR THIS STORM.
SO NOTHING, UH, I, I JUST CAN'T BEGIN TO EMPHASIZE EVERY CONTINGENCY'S BEEN ADDRESSED.
IT'S OBVIOUSLY THE UNKNOWN THAT CONCERNS US, THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THIS STORM, BUT, UH, WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE AS CITY ADMINISTRATORS AND RANK AND FILE TO GET READY.
SO HOUSTONIANS CAN GO TO BED TONIGHT KNOWING THAT WE'RE WORKING ALL NIGHT LONG.
SO THEY'LL BE SAFE IN THE MORNING, BUT THEY'VE GOT TO DO THEIR PART.
I CAN'T EMPHASIZE AGAIN, BE SMART.
LEAVE THE ALCOHOL ALONE, STAY AT HOME.
TAKE CARE OF THE FAMILY, THE PETS, THE NEIGHBORS, THE MOST VULNERABLE.
AND, UH, COME TUESDAY MORNING, SOMETIME TUESDAY, I THINK WE CAN ALL CONGRATULATE EACH OTHER FOR DOING A FINE JOB.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU THESE NUMBERS THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN OUT.
WE WANT TO THANK OUR SOCIAL AGENCIES, OUR NONPROFITS, OUR FAITH COMMUNITY.
LORD KNOWS WE WILL NEED THE FAITH COMMUNITY TO BE VERY ACTIVE DURING THESE TENSE MOMENTS.
ANYTHING ELSE? IF NOT, THINK WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? UPDATES LIKE THIS AS NEEDED.
WE'RE, WE'RE TRANSPARENT IS IS POSSIBLE.
UH, WE'RE GONNA SHARE WITH YOU WHAT WE KNOW.
UH, THE EMERGENCY CENTER WILL BE ACTIVE ALL NIGHT LONG.
IF WE SEE SOMETHING THAT, UH, TRIGGERS, UH, A CHANGE IN, IN THE DIRECTION, WE'LL CERTAINLY BE CONTACTING FOR THINK THE PRESS, FOR DOING THEIR JOB DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES AS
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WELL.WITH THAT SAID, LET'S, LET'S ALL GO TO WORK.