We would like to take a minute to thank County Judge Jeff Branick for securing temporary FEMA shelters for area residents.

It is obvious to all here that thousands of homes have been badly damaged by the flood waters and, with thousands of residents displaced, scattered or soon-to-be homeless, the shelters offer a stable, comfortable refuge from the confusing and unrelenting aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

On Monday, Branick initially announced that the federal government ruled there was plenty of available housing here. How or why they made that call, we can only guess. However, Branick did not take no for an answer and he secured us what we need now.

Once again, our local leadership is proving to be capable and valuable during tough times.