Peter Rachwal said Holiday Inn-Park Central is a fortress.
A manager at the hotel, Rachwal said the building sustained minor damage but is still without power.
"This building is a fortress. We had some wind driven rain come in through the window sills and under doors," he reported Sunday. "When the lights went out, we were waiting for the 20 foot surge and were hunkered down in here."
Luckily for the hotel staff and the rest of Port Arthur, the city's seawall held and the storm surge was unable to penetrate the city.
American Steam-A-Way was already working to clean the carpets in the hotel as Port Arthur city and emergency management officials set up a command center inside the building.
The hotel is doing what it can to cater to the city and the DPS, who are both operating out of the hotel despite no electrical service.
City officials are working to acquire generators to power their operations.
City manager Steve Fitzgibbons and city electrical inspector Butch Hafs were using cellphones to direct restoration operations throughout the city.
Rep. Joe Deshotel, Dem., Beaumont, said he understands that people want to return from evacuation to check on their properties, but urged them to stay put while services are being restored.
Hal Ross, manager of the SETX Regional Airport, said county officials are communicating through conference calls, but admitted that it's hard to keep up with everything that is going on across the county.
Sgt. Rodney Harrison of PAPD said police have not had any problems of people breaking curfew that he knows of, but warned that police will be very active enforcing the hurricane rule.
Hurricane Ike - Latest News
September 14, 2008
Officials set up shop at Holiday Inn Park Central
- Hurricane Ike - Latest News
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- Toys, food and shelter: the necessities after Ike The outpouring of generosity from individuals and organizations from across the state to Bridge City residents continues to amaze both citizens and officials of the Orange County community.
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Mid-County attempts to raise army of 10,000 to help Bridge City
- Where to get help:
- Some residents to begin receiving FEMA mobile homes Peter Lembessis, public information officer with the Federal Emergency Management Agency said the process has begun for residents in Jefferson and Orange Counties who have lost their homes and qualify to receive mobile homes while their homes are being rebuilt or repaired.
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Environmentalist won’t know Ike’s effect for long time
For the past week, a joint coalition comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas General Land Office and the EPA began canvassing the area, looking mainly for oil spills that are a potential threat to the environment.
- Time running out to claim family pet The Humane Society of Southeast Texas has pets displaced or turned in after Hurricane Ike. Saturday, Sept. 27 is the last day to claim them. The humane society will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
- Business Assistance Center opened in Port Arthur for Ike victims The Small Business Administration, SBA, announced the opening of a Business Assistance Center in Port Arthur to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by Hurricane Ike.
- South Texas Fair canceled BEAUMONT — This year’s South Texas State Fair is another casualty of Hurricane Ike. On Friday, the Young Men’s Business League announced the annual festivities normally held at Ford Park are canceled.
- Business Assistance Center opened in Port Arthur for Ike victims The Small Business Administration, SBA, announced the opening of a Business Assistance Center in Port Arthur to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by Hurricane Ike.
- Mid-County residents loving their neighbors Leaders from the communities of Port Neches, Groves and Nederland met Thursday morning at The First Baptist Church of Groves to raise and encourage 10,000 workers to help their neighbors to the east — Hurricane Ike stricken Bridge City.
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