Oct. 1, 2008 — In the 19 days since Hurricane Ike struck the Gulf Coast, oil producing facilities in the Gulf of Mexico and coastal refineries have been moving back towards normal production rates, and prices throughout the distribution chain have moderated. Due to port closures and pipeline outages, crude oil flows had been curtailed over the last few weeks; and more time is still required to get flows moving again at normal rates throughout the entire system. But, as of yesterday, only 742,000 barrels per day of the original crude oil outage of 1.3 million barrels per day remained shut in. Moreover, a relatively small amount of refinery capacity was still completely shut down. Although the restoration of electrical power to refineries has progressed and most of the affected refineries are back online, these refineries have yet to reach normal production levels. more

TSCRA release:

Almost two weeks after Hurricane Ike struck the upper Gulf Coast of Texas, shock is being replaced by worry, fatigue and nagging questions among affected ranchers. Massive efforts are ongoing to find and care for surviving domestic livestock, dig out from under debris and fallen trees and rebuild homes and ranching businesses. more

COLLEGE STATION – Evacuation, displacement, lack of utilities and communication, destruction of personal property and losses of other kinds – stress naturally follows disasters such as Hurricane Ike.

It is only normal to be stressed after such an interruption in one’s life, said Dr. Rick Peterson, Texas AgriLife Extension Service family life specialist. more

The TAHC’s Area Command continues operations in the TAHC headquarters in Austin, with on-site representatives from the USDA’s Veterinary Services, Animal Care, and National Resources Conservation Services; the Texas Department of Agriculture, and TXSART. The TAHC also is represented at the State Operations Center and is in close contact with livestock industry representatives. The Area Command may be reached at 800-550-8242, ext 296. more

$10,000 to Help Save Cattle, Restore Texas, Louisiana Operations

DENVER (Sept. 19, 2008) – A $10,000 donation to assist cattlemen affected by Hurricane Ike has been made by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. Use of the money for feed, water, fencing and other materials will be coordinated by cattlemen’s organizations in Texas and Louisiana.

Serious challenges remain for producers in the two states, especially In the Texas counties of Jefferson and Chambers, as well as in Louisiana Parishes stretching from Cameron to St. Bernard. Among the needs are hay, troughs for fresh water, feed and fencing materials. more

ANAHUAC – A valiant effort to save ranchers’ livelihoods here in Southeast Texas continues despite incredible odds.

“It’s the worst storm we can ever remember,” said rancher Dan Hankamer of Hurricane Ike, which slammed the Galveston coastline and trekked through Southeast Texas bringing a deluge of saltwater on prime farm and ranchland.

“It’s hard times right now,” said Charles Copeland, an Anahuac rancher now looking to find dry pastureland for his cattle as far north as Bremond. more

COLLEGE STATION – Recent flooding, including flooding from storm surge and rains due to Hurricane Ike, likely will lead to significantly increased mosquito activity in many parts of the state, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert.

“Flooding in many parts of the state has created optimal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, making these areas a regular hotbed of mosquito activity,” said Dr. Mark Johnsen, a medical entomologist with the AgriLife Extension department of agricultural and environmental safety. more

WASHINGTON – Today the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Kids Campaign announced with Sesame Workshop a new tool on emergency preparedness for parents of young children called “Let’s Get Ready!” This guide aims to get families planning together for emergencies through simple activities and games that focus on talking to young children about the people, places and things that will keep the family safe during an emergency.

“Emergencies can happen at any time with little or no warning and, as we’ve seen with recent natural disasters, personal and family preparedness are critically important,” said Erin Streeter, Director of the Ready Campaign. “‘Let’s Get Ready!’ gives parents the tools they need to talk to their young children in a very kid-friendly and non-threatening way and instill in them important information to help them deal with the unexpected.” more

From AGNMORE (Agriculture and More) News from Texas AgriLife Extension Service and AgriLife

COLLEGE STATION – As Southeast Texas and the Gulf Coast deal with cattle orphaned by Hurricane Ike, most of the rest of the state received cooler temperatures and rain – lots of rain.

Parts of Chambers and Jefferson counties, south of U.S. Interstate 10 and Highway 73, received storm surges from 8 feet to as high as 18 feet, said Dr. Jason Cleere, Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist.

“We don’t really have good numbers on actual death losses, but they appear to be substantial,” said Cleere, who visited the area Sept. 16 to deliver feed and water troughs. more

Category 2 Hurricane Ike is long gone but has left agriculture in Jefferson and Chambers counties devastated, according to eyewitness reports from Texas Farm Bureau’s public relations team.

According to TFB staff writer Bobby Horecka, who accompanied TFB Video Director Ed Wolff on a trek to the area, countless cattle have been killed and thousands of others endangered.

Three days after Ike hit, emergency and relief help began arriving. more