Hurricane Season Starts Tomorrow

Hurricane season starts tomorrow. If you know anyone in hurricane zones please check on them and ensure they have evacuation plans. I covered several hurricanes as a photojournalist. Although my advice in this post is mainly for other photojournalists, there's some good general information mixed in with the other info.

Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum reopens

A rainbow forms in the water spray during a reenactment of the Lucas gusher during the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum Grand Re-opening on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008.

Photos and video by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



Celebrants listen to opening remarks during the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum Grand Re-opening. The museum was badly damaged during Hurricane Rita.



J.C. Verde of Port Arthur looks authentic down to his boots during the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum Grand Re-opening.


J.C. Verde of Port Arthur (left) and Harlan Walker of Beaumont (right) keep the peace during the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum Grand Re-opening.



The Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum held a grand reopening of the facility on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2007. The museum emulates the 1901 roughneck town where the first oil gusher was found in modern Beaumont, Texas. The video shows a reenactment of the famous Lucas gusher.

HOME program delivers

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Lillie Tezeno admires the view from the bedroom window her new home under construction on her property in Beaumont on Thursday, July 26, 2007. Tezeno's home is the first of 34 homes destroyed by Hurricane Rita to receive federal assistance through the HOME program.


Saundra Christopher of Baytown (left) has a laugh as her mother Lillie Tezeno (right) inspects her new home under construction on her property in Beaumont.

Please read, "Beaumont woman gets a fresh start..." by Sarah Moore.

Sabine Pass FEMA Trailers

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Sabine Pass resident Phyllis Almond is optimistic about purchasing her trailer in the Sabine Pass community on Wednesday, July 11, 2007. FEMA decided to allow some residents to purchase Hurricane Rita-related travel trailers for a fraction of market value.


Video © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Sabine Pass, Texas took the direct hit from Hurricane Rita on Sept. 24, 2005. The community was completely destroyed. FEMA eventually issued travel trailers as temporary housing until homes were rebuilt. Most residents still live in these trailers pending the completion of their homes.

FEMA officials recently decided to allow these residents to purchase the trailers for pennies on the dollar. The offer was so good that almost every FEMA trailer resident purchased the trailers.

Some will continue to live in the trailers. Others will use them for camping. All want the security of a place to store and haul their belongings when another hurricane approaches and, if necessary, a familiar place to call home.

Finally some relief

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

New Beaumont City council member Get Williams-Wright (left) hugs homeowner Lillie Tezeno during a ground breaking ceremony on her property in Beaumont on Wednesday, May 30, 2007.
Tezeno's property is the first of 34 homes destroyed by Hurricane Rita to receive part of the $2 million federal assistance through the HOME program. Hurricane Rita hit Southeast Texas on Sept. 24, 2005. This small amount is the first federal money received to assist homeowners affected by the hurricane.

Please read "Long-awaited federal aid..." by Sarah Moore.

Barn sunset

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

The sun sets through a barn near Highway 124 between Winnie and High Island on Thursday, April 12, 2007. Many barns near the coast still have damage from Hurricane Rita.

Six more months

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Joseph (right) and Ella Gallien (left) talk with a daughter outside a FEMA-provided trailer on their property in Beaumont on Tuesday, March 20, 2007. Beaumont recently granted a 6-month extension for residents to live in trailers on properties without adequate housing, which is against city ordinance.

The 40-year Beaumont residents had raised 13 children in their home. Hurricane Rita completely destroyed the home in one day. The city condemned the home and razed it, however the Galliens had no insurance and are unsure about their future.

Still shoveling away at Rita

Ben Verde, son of the owner of Creative Impressions, shovels parts of the destroyed building into a trash bin at the business on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2007. The former printing company and all of its equipment were destroyed by Hurricane Rita.
The City of Beaumont is working with the owners of more than 600 structures tagged for demolition. Most of the structures were damaged or destroyed during the hurricane and owners are still haggling with insurance companies and FEMA.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

1st Habitat Home of 2007

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Beaumont Habitat for Humanity president Josh Allen (left) laughs with volunteers Wayne and Dawn Boeve of Holland, Mich. before the dedication of the first home completed this year on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. The Boeves have worked on this home and others in Southeast Texas since the beginning of 2007.


The door of the first Beaumont Habitat for Humanity home completed in 2007 is open for visitors during the dedication.


Phyllis Geans, chair of the family selection committee, (left) gives house keys to Letitia Kennedy during the dedication of the first Beaumont Habitat for Humanity home completed this year.


Letitia Kennedy presents a rose to Geraldine Warner of Beaumont during the dedication of her home. Warner helped build the home, which was part of the Rita Recovery program to help hurricane-affected areas along the Gulf Coast in 2005.

Hollywood reopens

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Hollywood Theaters reopens for business after reconstruction at Parkdale Mall in Beaumont on Friday, December 22, 2006. The cinema was destroyed during Hurricane Rita on Sept. 24, 2005.


Patrons move through the lobby of Hollywood Theaters during its reopening day at Parkdale Mall. The entire front of the theater was destroyed and had to be replaced.


Patrons line up for concessions at Hollywood Theaters as it reopens for business after reconstruction. The upgrades include everything from accessability to allowing patrons to add their own butter to popcorn.


Patrons move to one of Hollywood Theaters' 12 theaters as the cinema reopens for business after reconstruction. All carpet has been replaced and new high-back rocking seats were added. The larger theaters in the multiplex feature some digital screens.

Please see "Screens light up again at Hollywood Theaters" by Robert Lopez.
 

Homeless no more Part B

This is a happy continuation of Billy Woolverton's life from being homeless in Portland, Maine to finding a family he didn't know existed in Silsbee, Texas. After his half-sister found him and invited him home, she wanted to locate Billy's full sister to reunite the entire family. They found Julia Sue Wade outside Fort Worth. Wade traveled to Silsbee to meet her brother. Although siblings, they were told they were cousins during their youth. The following is their reunion.


Billy Woolverton smiles at the antics of his siblings at his mother's home in Silsbee on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Shanna Adams laughs with her siblings at her mother's home in Silsbee. After Billy Woolverton was homeless more than three decades, Adams located him in Portland, Maine. Since then, she located her sister Julia Sue Hare through a media tip, which lead to the first family reunion of the three siblings.



Shanna Adams (left) and her mother Margie Sue Moore eagerly look at the previously unknown children of Sue Hare's family (Moore's grandchildren).


Sue Hare laughs during a reunion with her brother at their mother's home in Silsbee. The family plans to meet with the other two family siblings and their families in the DFW Metroplex later this month.




Shealynn Adams, 4, (daughter of Shanna Adams) plays on a tire swing at Moore's home in Silsbee.




Billy Woolverton (left) and Sue Hare (right) watch the children play near their mother's destroyed mobile home in Silsbee.


Sisters Shanna Adams (left to right) and Sue Hare tease their brother, Billy Woolverton (right), in their mother's FEMA trailer in Silsbee.


Sue Hare (left) teases her brother, Billy Woolverton, about his three decades of homelessness at their mother's home.

The entire family, including Moore's other two children and all the grandchildren are scheduled to meet around the end of the year near Dallas. After all the decades since her children were taken from her, Moore's family will finally be reunited.

However, there remains a problem. FEMA wants to take Moore's trailer. Her mobile home was destroyed beyond repair during Hurricane Rita. She's on a fixed income with medical costs. She owns the property where the destroyed mobile home remains.

If there was any family that deserves a break, this family does. Moore had her babies taken from her when she was a teen. Woolverton was beaten as a teen and lived on the streets for more than three decades. The other children have worked hard to make ends meet and provide for their children. But, they don't have extra income to help their mother get a new home.

If anyone has an underused, quality mobile home or large trailer on their ranch or knows someone (who knows someone...), this family could put it to good use. They're not asking, I am. E-mail me, and I'll put you in contact with them.

I'm certain there will be plenty of laughter and love within those four walls. All they need is a break and a chance to breathe. During this season, many folks open their hearts in generosity. Here's one family deserving of a break.

Please help if you can. Season's Greetings to all.

Please read "Siblings reunite" by Colin McDonald.
 

Cameron hospital reconstruction

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Former President George H. Bush (left) and actor George Clooney (right) participate in a ceremony to mark the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Cameron, La. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006.

Actor George Clooney speaks during a ceremony to mark the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Cameron, La. The hospital was destroyed by Hurricane Rita on Sept. 24, 2005.



Actor George Clooney meets with attendees after a ceremony to mark the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Cameron, La.


Construction has begun on the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Creole, La. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006.

Contractors Steve Turner (from left to right), Keven O'Brien, Doug Pink and Rick Linder inspect hospital construction following a ceremony to mark the rebuilding of South Cameron Memorial Hospital in Creole, La.

Please read "Actor Clooney, former president deliver $2 million check for Cameron hospital" by Christine Rappleye.
 

Sabine Pass Santa

Katherine Smith, 11 months, doesn't like Santa during the 2nd annual Winter Festival at the Sabine Pass School in Sabine Pass on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Santa Claus reaches for his basket of Santa Sharks, the school mascot, during the 2nd annual Winter Festival at the Sabine Pass School. Hurricane Rita made landfall over the small Gulf Coast community more than a year ago. Although many residents remain in FEMA trailers and even tents, the community gathers at the school to celebrate the season.

Tom's Meat Market reopens

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Tom's Meat Market in Spurger, Texas has been largely repaired by Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006. Hurricane Rita destroyed the grocery store, which forced community residents to drive many miles to get fresh meat.


Randy Holcomb cuts beef at Tom's Meat Market in Spurger. The Holcombs were uninsured and have invested their life savings to reopen the store.


Randy Holcomb cuts round steaks at Tom's Meat Market.


Sandra Holcomb slices ham at Tom's Meat Market. Although the store requires much more work, the family-owned business is starting to recover.


Jaina Shook measures half-pound portions of ground beef at Tom's Meat Market. The market also grills and sells hamburgers.


Sharon Emerson (left) holds her granddaughter Reigan Shook, 3 months, as her father Blayke Shook (right) gives her a goodbye kiss at Tom's Meat Market in Spurger.
 

Cameron recovery celebration

Guests reflect on a commemorative monument during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006. Cameron Parish dedicated a monument to commemorate the restoration of its cemeteries. The parish has recovered and reburied about 300 of the 340 caskets and remains uprooted by Hurricane Rita.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Leann Stewart (from left to right), Shane Manuel and Karl Miller prepare meals for guests during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La.


Cajun-boiled shrimp steam in a cooler during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La.


Volunteer Galton Boudreaux of Oak Grove stirs shrimp with a shovel during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La.


Clifton Hebert, Cameron Parish's emergency operations center operations chief, (right) relaxes during a celebration and shrimp boil in Cameron, La.

For additional coverage, please see Hurricane Rita's toll on SW Louisiana or Mark's Hurricane Rita visual timeline.
 

Holly Beach sunset

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Dragonflies buzz a drainage canal as the sun sets in Holly Beach, La. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006.
Enough for now,
 

Hurricane Rita anniversary: Texas

It's been a year since Hurricane Rita hit Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. We'll always remember the date because it's also Fayrouz's birthday. Last year, we "celebrated" by eating some Zebra snack cakes before Rita ripped the roof off the newsroom and destroyed the entire area. This year, thankfully, her birthday was celebrated at a fine restaurant with a tasty whipped-cream cake.

Hurricane Rita is barely mentioned in the news outside of this area. However, in an area where many folks still have blue roofs and shattered dreams, it's mentioned often. So often, in fact, that the word "Rita" has appeared in every edition of The Beaumont Enterprise since the tropical storm was named.

Although we're all tired of Rita, Katrina and any other mention of hurricanes, we must still reflect on how the area is recovering after one year.

Below are the images of recovery. Many of the compositions appear strange or random. By normal accounts, most are quite boring. However, click on the link under each image and see how the same scene looked about a year ago.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Now:   William L. Snyder II, owner of B&B Enterprises, poses for a portrait outside his auto business in Orange on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006.
Then


Now:   The Target store in Beaumont is fully repaired and operational on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006.
Then


Now:   O'Hare's Market and Grill on Dowlen Road in Beaumont has changed its lease arrangement and is now Gator West Mini Mart on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006. It reopened for business in mid-July, it was previously damaged after looters smashed the front doors.
Then


Now:   A crushed sport utility vehicle with Louisiana license plates was removed from under a Jack In The Box sign and the store has been repaired and is operational again by Friday, Sept. 15, 2006.
Then


Now:   Johnson's Xpress Lube has been repaired and is operational by Friday, Sept. 15, 2006.
Then


Now:   Southeast Texas Regional Airport has removed the secondary tower and returned to normal operations by Friday, Sept. 15, 2006.
Then


Now:   The Port Arthur Holiday Inn has been repaired and is back to normal operation by Friday, Sept. 15, 2006.
Then


Now:   The parking lot remains empty by the severely-damaged Port Arthur Civic Center in Port Arthur on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006.
Then