Rich Macke, publisher of The Port Arthur News, said to be putting out a full edition of the newspaper in less than a week after a catastrophic event is nothing short of amazing.

“We’ve had a lot of Boone Publications editorial team and production team put out a six-page Port Arthur News and an e-edition the past few days that was printed elsewhere. They were delivered for free to locations where residents congregated and to shelters. Buton Tuesday we will have a full edition.

“There’s a lot of people to thank who stepped up and helped others. Our story is no different than others across Southeast Texas.”

Macke said staff will be producing the first newspaper on Monday for Tuesday within the News’ operation and delivered by carriers to subscribers on the regular schedule as before Hurricane Harvey.

Ninety percent of the office’s computers were salvaged and staff have been working offsite since.

The Port Arthur News building at 2349 Memorial Blvd. in Port Arthur received two feet of water inside. Macke and his family, along with pets, were sleeping inside the office on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning when the bottom fell out.

Water started seeping in under the door at 1 a.m. and became higher, higher and higher as dawn approached. The Mackes waded out in waist-deep water after three calls for a rescue went unanswered.

They ventured out at 8 a.m. A family in a pickup truck unknown to the Mackes picked them up and brought them to 32nd Street. They stayed at another family’s house where they warmed up and charged their cell phones. The homeowners even let them bring in their pets. From there the Mackes were picked up by his wife’s boss and stayed there until they went to the brother of a neighbor’s house.

“To my knowledge there has been only one person who passed in Port Arthur. The taking of lives has been minimal,” Macke said. “This was the most catastrophic event in the nation’s history because it was so big and widespread. People are giving away free food and water. Everyone is in a giving mood. More supplies will be coming.”

He also joked he will use his kayak for the first time if it floods again like this.

“It’s cool seeing the natural compassion of everyone like people you don’t even know taking you in and driving you around. Catastrophes bring that out,” he said. “All of the bad things that happen pale in comparison to the good things other people do.

“We will get back! This time we’ll be better than before.”