I hope this email finds you and your family safe. Hurricane Ike hit Houston hard, but we are on the road to recovering. I know that waiting for relief has been difficult and frustrating, but please be patient during this time as we are doing our best to expedite relief efforts and energy providers are working around the clock to restore power. I urge you to reach out to your neighbors and provide assistance where you can. We need to help each other in this time of crisis. I have included some helpful tips, websites, and the most up to date distribution centers where you can get food, water and ice.

Points of Distribution

Community of Faith 1023 Pinemont Drive 77018
Ripley Houst 4410 Navigation 77011
Second Baptist 6400 Woodway 77057
Texas Southern University 3600 Rosewood at Scott 7704
Greater Jerusalem 8901 Jensen 77093
Fountain of Praise 13950 Hillcroft 77085
Windsor Village UMC 6000 Heatherbrook 77085
Zion Lutheran 3606 Beauchamp 77009
Fonteno Community 14350 Wallisville
San Jacinto Center 604 Highlands Wood

If You are Without Power

Throw away perishable leftovers and meats (beef, poultry, hot dog, bacon, breaded fish sticks, etc.) stored at above 40 degrees for two hours or more.
Thawed food that still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees or below is safe to cook and consume.
Partially frozen pies, pizzas, casseroles, desserts and stews can be cooked and served immediately.
Thawed frozen fruits and vegetables will keep for four hours. Discard if moldy, yeasty or slimy.

Vegetable and fruit juices will keep at 40 degrees or above for about four hours.

Milk, ice cream and yogurt sour quickly. Discard after two hours if unrefrigerated.

Butter, hard cheese and margarine are safe unrefrigerated if well wrapped in plastic or kept in a sealed plastic bag. Throw away if mold or rancid odor develops.

Fresh eggs are safe unrefrigerated for about five days. Discard if shells are cracked or odor and discoloration are present. Throw away hard-boiled eggs that have been sitting at room temperature for two hours or more.

Mayonnaise and tartar sauce should be discarded after two hours at room temperature. Opened salad dressing, jelly, relish, olives, catsup and mustard will keep for about a week unrefrigerated.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are relatively safe to eat if they look acceptable at room temperature. Discard if mold or yeasty odor develops. Cooked vegetables will keep for about six hours at room temperature.

A full freezer will keep an adequate temperature for about 48 hours if the door remains closed.

Add bags of ice or dry ice to the refrigerator to maintain a temperature of 40 degrees or below.

Don't eat any food that may have been exposed to flood water or other contaminated water. Discard food containers with screw-caps, twist-caps, flip-tops and home-canned foods that may have come into contact with such water.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Red Cross, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Helpful Websites

National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System: http s://asd.fema.gov/inter/nefrls/home.htm

Appying for assistance from FEMA: http://ww w.fema.gov/news/event.fema or 1-800- 621-3362

Open Red Cross shelters: http://www.hou stonredcross.org/
2-1-1 Texas: https:/ /www.211texas.org/211/search.do

FEMA Ike information: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/2008/ ike/index.shtm
Hurricane Ike Situation Reports: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/sitrepindex.htm< /li>
Houston-area openings and closings: http:// blogs.chron.com/closings/openings/
Public service announcements about flooding: http ://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/psa/
Road conditions: http://apps.dot.state.tx.us/travel/road_conditions 2.htm

Helpful Information

Disaster Unemployment Insurance

Because the President declared 29 counties a disaster area, displaced workers in those counties could be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. To claim this protection, a worker must file by October 15. Please bring this deadline to people's attention. To file for disaster-related unemployment assistance, log on to www.texasworkforce.org or call TWC from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, at (800) 939-6631.

Emergency Food Stamp Benefits

Texans who live in the affected counties will also be eligible for a two-month emergency Food Stamp benefit. All they will need to show is proof of identity and residence to qualify. The details of how and where people should apply for this benefit are still being worked out. We will send out more details about getting Food Stamps later today or early tomorrow.

I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. May you stay safe during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Rodney Ellis
Texas State Senate, District 13

2 Comments

bridgett said:

what about if you receive food stamps, will they reimburse you for the loss of food, I am a single mom of 5 with two part time jobs and in school. this storm has devastated my family, we dont have huge damamge but what we do have I cant afford I think my homeowner insurance policy will cover i but the food loss will hurt my family and I need help, I have a huge tree in my yard the frnce flew down and my roof. And if there is anyone who has a neighbor who needs this information please help, we are a great city who has great neighbors

God Bless

September 16, 2008 1:23 PM

bridgett said:

what about if you receive food stamps, will they reimburse you for the loss of food, I am a single mom of 5 with two part time jobs and in school. this storm has devastated my family, we dont have huge damamge but what we do have I cant afford I think my homeowner insurance policy will cover i but the food loss will hurt my family and I need help, I have a huge tree in my yard the frnce flew down and my roof. And if there is anyone who has a neighbor who needs this information please help, we are a great city who has great neighbors

God Bless

September 16, 2008 1:24 PM

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