Shelters open doors to wet, weary
More than 32,000 people receive refuge in 230 facilities across Texas
A little girl with long black braids in a peach Hello Kitty tank top ran over when she heard Gloriana Gomez, dressed in a blue gown and long blond wig, singing “Let it Go” inside NRG Center, which became a shelter for flood victims as of 10 p.m. Tuesday.
Hugs came next in what was one of the lighter moments inside one of the region’s growing number of shelters housing thousands of Houstonians, many of whom were going on their third or fourth night sleeping on a cot alongside other victims from across the area who had lost everything in Harvey’s floods. At least 32,000 people sought shelter Tuesday night in more than 230 facilities across Texas .
The NRG shelter, across from the Astrodome, was housing some 900 Houstonians Wednesday afternoon. Officials from the Baker-Ripley House, which is operating the shelter in partnership with Harris County, were expecting about 1,500 more over the next several hours. The facility is able to house 10,000.
Gomez, dressed as Elsa from Frozen, said she planned to come back Thursday to volunteer. She and three friends — dressed as Wonder Woman, the Black Widow and Super Woman — worked in the “kid zone,” an area of the shelter set up for the youngest flood victims.
“We were OK, we fared well and we wanted to do something to help the families,” said Claudia Macias, an education consultant and children’s book author dressed as Wonder Woman.
With about eight times as many evacuees, the shelter at downtown’s George R. Brown Convention
still boarded up Wednesday after looters used bricks to break in late Monday night. A store employee said the looters could not get into the pharmacy but were able to take money out of three cash registers and several packs of Newport cigarettes.
They left behind overthe-counter drugs, wines and expensive perfumes. ‘Disturbing activity’
Although the curfew was in effect a day later, a Fiesta Mart grocery store in east Houston on Interstate 10 near Loop 610 had as many as 20 looters break in to steal money and cellphones. They also ransacked the adjacent liquor store and demolished a cash register.
“Fiesta is disappointed that a small number of individuals chose to take advantage of the emergency situation to loot and steal from one of our stores,” said Nellie Castillo, a spokeswoman for the chain. “This disturbing activity will delay the re-opening of this store, as we make repairs caused by the vandals.
“Nevertheless, Fiesta will reopen the store as quickly as possible.”
North of town, the Houston Police Department confirmed reports of looting in Kingwood, but no further information was immediately available.
Scammers also were out in force. In the towns of Dickinson and Texas City south of Houston, San Leon volunteer firefighter Jody Garcia said people posing as firefighters were telling residents to evacuate their homes, then taking their possessions.
In some areas, homeowners fought back.
Garcia said he tried to rescue a Dickinson couple late Tuesday who were stranded on the second floor of a home. The man pulled a shotgun on him instead, telling him to leave. The Dickinson Police Department was called.
Reports also surfaced of people impersonating Homeland Security Investigations special agents, knocking on doors and telling residents to evacuate, presumably to rob their homes, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.
The agency urged the people to ask to see credentials. Real agents wear badges labeled “special agent,” and ICE officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations wear badges labeled “ERO.” They carry credentials with their name and organization.
The agency said it is not conducting any immigration enforcement operations in affected areas during Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Tense times
In the southwest part of the county, a man in his mid 30s with a badge, a gun on his hip and a police windbreaker knocked on several doors in an elevated Missouri City subdivision to tell residents they needed to evacuate. Those people called police, who confirmed that there was no evacuation order in place. Missouri City police did not return calls about whether anyone was arrested.
West of Houston, Memorial Villages police warned residents of a man they suspect was attempting to scam residents under the false pretense of offering help, said MVPD Chief Ray Schultz.
“He had freshly made up flyers that said ‘Flood Restoration,’” Schultz said. “He had an old, broken carpet cleaner with him but no other supplies. While checking him out, he was found to have a criminal history and no valid ID in his possession. I am absolutely certain he was looking to victimize an unsuspecting resident.”
The man was last seen in a black Ford Expedition with a temporary license plate. The chief advised to use only reputable restoration contractors, saying legitimate companies have business licenses, addresses and license plate numbers.
The chief cautioned that tense times in the aftermath of the flood can lead to tragic consequences.
“Do not challenge the individual yourself,” Schultz said. “Do not exit your home with a firearm under any circumstance. We do not want any tragedies or accidents.” Jaimy Jones, Mike Morris, David Olinger and Monica Rhor contributed to this report.