Damage is clear from above

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Damage from Hurricane Rita is visible in Orange County on Monday, Sept. 26, 2005. Because the house was north of the fallen tree, it survived the hurricane. Had the hurricane been further west, it would not have done as well.


A structure remains completely destroyed near a home in Orange County. The most powerful combination of Hurricane Rita's three eyes traveled directly over Orange County.


A tree is impaled into a home in Orange County. Due to the county's high annual rainfall and high water table, trees can grow extremely large without a deep root system. Unfortunately, it takes little wind to topple trees with such shallow roots.


A tree crushes a home in Orange County while the yard is completely covered with log sections.


An apartment complex in Orange County suffered much damage. It was hardest hit on the northwestern end.


Storage facilities throughout Southeast Texas received considerable damage. The sheet metal roofs were easily removed by the hurricane.


Tree damage is visible in Orange County. Timber companies are trying to salvage trees damaged by Hurricane Rita.

(Left) Cars line up for miles for the only fuel available in Vidor. After any hurricane, gasoline becomes an essential item to power both vehicles and generators. Since most streets are blocked by fallen trees, it takes more fuel to navigate in a post-hurricane environment.

(Below) Other than some flooding, very little damage is visible at the ExxonMobil Beaumont refinery. When electricity is restored, it should be able to quickly return to production.



Damage from Hurricane Rita is visible at St. Anthony Cathedral in Beaumont.