GALVESTON — Despite the images of horrific destruction broadcast on television and by other media across the nation, the island is not beyond salvation and recovery efforts are ahead of schedule, Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas said Thursday.
Still, Thomas said the city would not allow residents to return until next week when most of the water, sewer, medical facilities and utilities should be fully restored.
The city outraged islanders this week by first allowing people to return for a few hours to assess their property but then suspending the policy after one day.
At a news conference Thursday, Thomas was emphatic she would not reverse that decision.
Overall, however, Thursday’s was Thomas’ most upbeat news conference since Hurricane Ike came ashore late Friday.
“The city of Galveston is not in ruins,” she said. “We will rebuild stronger, smarter than ever before.”
Facing mounting criticism from anxious residents, Thomas said speedy recovery was possible only if people didn’t return to strain an already burdened system that cannot provide enough fuel, medical, police, water and sewer services to 60,000 residents and also contractors and thousands of state and federal personnel.
“I want the citizens to know I share their frustration, anger and anxiety about their homes and properties,” Thomas said. “My commitment is to get you back home as soon as possible.”
Should the city’s entire population return, recovery of infrastructure could take months, she said.
Exactly when next week residents could return has not been decided.
But businesses are allowed to return to clean up property if their contractors and workers abide by the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. curfew imposed by the city.
Officials want those crews off the island, not just off the streets, at night, they said.
Insurers adjusters also were being allowed in, officials said.
The city’s decision to allow companies to send workers in to clean up structures is a reversal of what was a confusing policy.
This week, some business owners were allowed entry, while others were turned away.
Rules of the process were murky and inspired claims of favoritism.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily News after Thursday’s news conference, Thomas conceded that owners of some businesses that were not essential to the recovery had gotten in, but not by permission from city officials.
Police at checkpoints were making those decisions, she said.
Earlier this week, city officials were attempting to allow only utilities companies, grocers, gas station owners and contractors helping with debris removal onto the island, she said.
But across the island, it was clear that businesses from bars to retailers had managed to get crews in to begin removing the mud and muck from buildings.
Thomas said she had heard reports that some business owners and residents had gone so far as to bypass re-entry checkpoints by boat.
Thomas also answered criticism about restricting media access by allowing only herself and City Manager Steve LeBlanc to field questions.
Several news outlets earlier this week criticized Thomas for allowing only five questions from reporters. Residents — those who left and those who stayed behind — were increasingly frustrated with the city for not providing enough information.
Thomas on Thursday said she limited the number of questions for one day because city officials were intensely busy in gathering information and recovery efforts.
“It was a matter of time and nothing else,” Thomas said. “There was so much swirling around — so many decisions. We had a lot to do, and there was no other reason.”
The decision to restrict media questions to Thomas and LeBlanc was an attempt to stem the flow of wild rumors flying about storm destruction, she said.
That policy has been rescinded.
While there was much to be done, recovery was ahead of schedule, with 500 city employees, including those who lost their homes to the storm, racing to restore infrastructure and services, officials said.
In another sign of revival, power was partially restored to the University of Texas Medical Branch and to surrounding neighborhoods, including Fish Village, officials said. The medical branch was a priority, officials said.
But the neighborhoods behind the seawall — the city’s core — faced seven to 10 more days without power, LeBlanc said.
“The West End is a longer story,” LeBlanc said.
While signs of recovery are everywhere, people should not be deceived, officials said.
Water to the island is partially restored, but it’s not suitable for drinking, cooking or for pets to consume, officials said.
More urgently, the city’s water system is leaking, and the supply is being consumed faster than Gulf Coast Water Authority can replenish it, LeBlanc said.
The island’s main sewer treatment plant is about 60 percent restored but not fully functioning.
Although residents might be able to flush their toilets, the sewage is not going where it should. Instead of going through a treatment plant, it’s being flushed into the environment, officials said.
Fire protection also is inadequate, he said.
Health threats are a big issue, officials said.
There would be limited help to anyone suffering heart attacks or who are wounded.
All city employees had been vaccinated against hepatitis A and tetanus, but most residents might not have been.
Cell phone service on the island was improving, and AT&T was able to restore two permanent towers, LeBlanc said.
Thomas urged residents to be patient.
And she wanted to send a message that the island would rebound.
“Because of the overwhelming support — from the president of the United States all the way down the chain to employees of this city, we are recovering faster than I thought we would.”
