Searching through Post IKE Debris in Chambers County Marsh

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Chambers marsh contains hazards and maybe victims
By CINDY HORSWELL
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Sept. 30, 2008, 10:57PM



Even with long rubber boots, Jason Saunders got drenched Tuesday as he trudged through a 10-acre field of debris that Hurricane Ike deposited in the Chambers County marsh.

One leg sank up to his thigh in mud, as he picked through everything from lumber to a plastic Christmas dish. Wreckage there mostly came from beach homes demolished 29 miles away in Bolivar. But some also came from his family's and two dozen others' camp houses that no longer exist on the nearby Trinity River.

While salvaging what they can to rebuild their cabin, Saunders and his stepfather, Bryan Huckleroy, know they might also discover something else — bodies of those still missing from the storm.

"We have found some dead hogs, but that's it so far," said Huckleroy, who keeps the phone number to the sheriff's dispatcher in his pocket. "No doubt there are bodies out here somewhere. But it will be hard to find them if they're underneath this stuff."

So far only one Bolivar woman who drowned in the storm has been found in the county's marsh.

Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden Hector Gonzalez uses his 350-horsepower airboat to skim across two inches of water, avoiding alligators, snakes and nail-studded boards in this debris field, which is only about four miles south of Interstate 10 East.

"I use my nose to smell for anything dead. Or look for a finger, hand or something that might be poking up," said Gonzalez. He admits having trouble telling the difference between the scent of dead alligators, cows, birds and other creatures mixed into the piles.

Plus he noted the piles — once stacked as high as his shoulders — have settled into a flat surface, and some of the debris has also been sucked back out into the bay with the tides.

"You can tell that the storm surge was sometimes 20 feet high in this area," he said, pointing to a life preserver and salt grass draped in the treetops. "This surge went all the way to Interstate 10 and dumped debris on the Old and Lost River Bridge there."

He has crisscrossed this saltmarsh with his airboat, which is one of the only ways to search this rugged uninhabited terrain.

Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia said Texas Task Force One is bringing a dozen all-terrain vehicles and eight cadaver dogs to help in the search Saturday.

One of the stumbling blocks has been swarms of mosquitoes.

"The insects will clog your nostrils," said Gonzalez.

Tuesday, the U.S. Army used giant planes to spray the insects that Sylvia jokes are big enough to "wear saddles."

Propane tanks, oil tanks, lawnmowers, refrigerators and other poisonous cleaning materials deposited in these piles may also pose a health hazard, Sylvia said.

cindy.horswell@chron.com

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6033169.html

Missing Persons - Post Ike

This list was posted on September 23.  It is from Galveston resident, the fabulously40 blogger It is no longer accurate.

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As many of you may know, I was born in Galveston, and raised there with much family, I am a decendent of 1900 storm victims and Im missing loved ones and family. Please read this and pray for us. My uncle is missing and a cousin and many friends.

Hurricane Ike:

The Missing Have Names; Ike Is Missing From The Mainstream Media
Posted By Erin On September 23, 2008 (5:15 pm) In Uncategorized

No newsflash for the hundreds of thousands of people that Hurricane Ike victimized, but Hurricane Ike is virtually gone from mainstream media coverage. It has been replaced by the huge bailout of our entire financial system. Snarkfood promised to continue to follow the story- and today we are listing the names of the people we’ve been able to determine are missing. These names come directly from those who are desperately searching for them. It is by NO means a complete list.

The mainstream media’s refusal to even report a ballpark number of those who are missing is shameful, and high-visibility (celebrity) attention to the problem is ZERO. In defense of the celebrities, they, along with the rest of America are not being told the story.

So we will. Here are the names of some of our American brothers and sisters who’ve been missing since Hurricane Ike hit.

The following have been listed as missing or otherwise unaccounted for by their family members on the ABC 13 (Houston area) Hurricane Ike Missing Persons Locater, and the KHOU forums. Screw the media blackout.

Watch the video. Read the list. Give if you can. www.redcross.org

MISSING:
Bolivar Peninsula
Including Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, Caplen, Gilchrist, High Island

Alex (no last name given)
Allen, Charles
Amo (Flores?)
Anderson, Bobby (survived, but friend perished)
Arrambide, Marrion
Bagwell, Blaine and mother Ginger
Baker, Rachel
Ball, Danny
Ball, Kristian
Beasley, James
Billy the Kid (across from Sharkey’s)
Bingham, Harry
Bingham, Susan
Bouse, Bobby
Bouse, Charlie and family
Bouse, Dixie and family
Brad (no last name given)
Branstetter, Kent
Brookshire, Rose
Bugler, Harry
Bugler, Susan
Butterfield, L.C.
Butterfield, Sandy
Byrum, Barbara
Byrum, Gardner
Callender, Deena
Campbell, Michael
Cannon, Colin
Cannon, Michelle
Carol (Crystal Canals Bait Camp)
Carol (Tuna St.)
Carr, Frank
Carrington, Lee
Cecil and Tommy (High Island)
Chapman, Larry
Chapman, Suzy
Cheryl (the nurse)
Cloud, Michael
Comeaux, Joe
Comeaux, Sylvia
Comeaux (other family members?)
Cook, Lee
Cook, Sandy
Cottrell, Shirley
Cranford, Kim
Cranford, Treton
Dean, Anne
Donaldson, Mary
Droege, Carolyn
Droege, Dick
Dud (at Decoux’s)
Dunn, Glennis
Ettenger, Gail
Felty, Veronica
Fisher, Walter
Floyd (Garza’s Grocery)
Fortenberry, David
Fortenberry, Sandy
Gatlin, Chris
Gatlin, Karen
Glen (Red)
Gloria (Cottage by the Sea)
Grebb, Robert
Grissom, Richard
Grissom, Stephanie
Haigh, Jack
Hamilton, Earl
Hamilton, Shirley
Hardcastle, Lynnette
Harris, Terry
Haworth, Susan
Hayes, Cheryl
Hayes, Richard
Hill, George
Hill, Martin
Holmes, Don
Howard, Greb
Howard, John
Howard, Lois
Jock, Jessica and family
Johnson, Lynette
Johnson, Sue
Jones, Daisy
Jones, Dewy
Jones, Jack
Kahla, Mary and family
Kelly, Linda
Kelly, Richard
King, Darryl
King, Robert
King, Sandy
Knight, Beverly and husband
Kreuzer Family
Lavalle, Ellie
Ledhe, Don
Lee, Judy
Lee, Robert and Gail and Gina
Lisa (18th and Galveston)
Lopez, Jim
Manley, Jerry
Marchese, Carol
Marcia (message therapist)
Mardis, Carol
Mardis, Darryl
Martin, Buster
Martinez, Cindy
Maxwell, Edith
McGready, Jean
McGready, Tom
McKnight, JC
McKnight, Lori
McManus, Barbara
McManus, James
Micak Family
Mobley, Zenith
Moore, Steve and family
Moseley, Herman
Mouton, Darby
Mouton, Sis
Myers, Marta
Myers, Ralph
Neis, Adam
Nguyen, Father (St. Theresa’s)
Ochoa, Phil
Pilsner, E.A. and family
Pond, James
Rankin, Beth
Reed, Bill
Reedy, Bill
Reedy, Jeannie
Rodriguez Family
Rodriguez, Greg
Ron and wife Dorothy (Melody Lane)
Rogers, Larry
Rogers, Mary
Rush, Harly
Rush, Kathy
Russell, Gene
Scherry
Schley, Barbara
Schley, Claud
Schmidt, Dee
Schmidt, Matt
Segura Family
Shaw, Barry
Shaw, Feather
Shinker, Andy
Shook, Jerry
Silcox, Andie
Simpton, Joyce
Skidmore, Ellen
Smith, Beth
Steppe, Francine
Steve (friend of David Pickett)
Stines, Kahla and family and friends
Stockton, David
Stockton, Patty
Strahan, Alecia
Strickland, Magdelena
Tiki Man Kevin
Tom and Daniela (no last name given)

Tovar, Mario and family
Tovar, Omar
Turner, Karon
Turner, Willis
Vance, Paul
Vidrine, Carol and family
Vidrine, PJ and family
Vrana, Ray
Walker, Phyllis
Walker, Sandra
Walker, Sonny
Walton, Sandie
Wanda (Crystal Canal RV Park)
Ward, Terri and family
Werner, Donna and Lauren
Werner, Ed
Wesley (Crystal Beach Rd.)
White, Billy
Will (on Yuca)
Williams, Bruce
Williams, Carol
Williams, Shane
Wisenbaker, Mikey and family
Wisenbaker, Mycol and

Galveston County / Galveston Island
MISSING:

Allen, A.J.
Allen, Betty
Allen, Carolyn
Allen, Jackie
Allen, Regina
Allmond, Donna
Banks, Leon Jr.
Bartram, Gracie
Bartram, Kevin
Bartram, Peggy
Beynice, Rosalyn
Boyd, Keith and family
Bradley, Bobby
Brock, Margo
Brown, Maine
Brown, Nana
Brown, Russel
Brown, Trixie
Bustamante, Richard and family
Campos, Lalo
Campos, Rita
Carrera, Juan
Chambers, Doreece
Coker, Sonya
Cole, Natalie and daughters
Collindrina, Penny
Cowan, Paula
Cox, Harold
Crabb, Sammie
DaPra, Johnny
Doyle, Patrick
Dubious, Chester
Dubious, Shirley
Ferguson, Mae Joyce
Ferguson, Wendell
Ficklen, Bill
Ficklen, Crystal
Ficklen, Delaine
Ficklen, Gail
Ficklen, James
Ficklen, Kim
Ficklen, Linda
Ficklen, Maverick
Ficklen, Willie
Gallagher, Joe
Grace (aunt of Lynn Robinson)
Graham, Ward
Hannon, Matt
Heinrich, Paul and family
Holmes, Agnes
Horn, Francis
Howlett, Bruce
Howlett, Tammy
Jamison, Ed
Johnson, Nell
Kuehne, Ashley
Lane, Jack
Lane, Tonka
Manago, Shawna and kids
Marsh, Jessica
Marsh, Steve
Melasome, Willie Mae
Moore, Ray Jr.
Nebout, Jim
Nebout, Phyllis
Nolan, Jim
Pembleton, Greg
Pollard, Earl
Pope, Dwayne
Powell, Marie
Rasmussen, A.J.
Ruiz, Ernan and children
Russo, Candy
Salazar, Jesus
Salmassi, Alex
Schultz, Susan (not her, but her aunt)
Shaffer, Richard
Smythe, Ed
Smythe, Marlo
Stewart, Thelma and friends Tina and Peanut
Swindell, Henry
Swindell, Robbie
Thomas, Kenneth (deceased)
Thomas, William
Toale, Tim
Trapani, Eddie
Trapani, Ray
Webber, Brigette
Webber, Tommy
Webster Family
Weedman, Joe
Wilson, George
Woodard, Marie
York, Robert
Zeon, Denise
Zeon, Zae

Chambers County
MISSING:
Cormier, Cecil
Cormier, Sam
Fleischman, Joyce
Fleischman, Morris
Hacker, Annette
Hacker, Chad
Scrivner, Earl
Scrivner, Judy

List of Missing Persons - Hurricane IKE

List from the Laura Recovery Center:

List of Missing Persons - Upload a Document to Scribd

400+ Missing from Hurricane IKE -

 Galveston County missing persons number 866-898-5723.
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400 Missing
ABC- KTRK Channel 11
Houston
September 24, 2008

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- The death toll from Hurricane Ike has reached at least 27 in Texas. A body was found in a pile of debris in Chambers County. And hundreds of people are still unaccounted for in Galveston County and surrounding areas.

Nearly 400 people are presumed missing 12 days after Hurricane Ike slammed on shore. Calls flooded a Galveston County missing persons hotline at the Laura Recovery Center. People are terrified a relative was lost in the storm.

After days of waiting, some families got the answers they've prayed for.

"Someone just called in from Clear Creek ISD off a call we had made and said they have located some people associated with the school district and said they were safe and well in Texas City," said Terry Arnold with the Laura Recovery Center.

But hundreds more wait for word as their loved ones names fill an online hurricane missing persons database. Those on the list share some commonalties in age and geography.

"There are a lot of elderly folks, just looking at the age column," said Smither.

Many of them are from the hardest hit areas of the county, including Boliver, Crystal Beach and Gilchrist.

"We desperately need to try and find out what happened to those folks to try and reunite the families," said Arnold.

They're trying to find out what happened to people like Sandy Walton and Joel Chapman and bring them home.

If you know of a missing person in Galveston County, you can call 866-898-5723.

Missing Person Blogs - Hurricane Ike

Red Cross Missing Persons web page

ABC-News links to missing person pages listed by County

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Houston KHOU Blog
Missing Persons in Bolivar

There are many postings going back to September 16, 2008.  These below are from September 21-24, 2008

Posted by: Jim and Donna | September 21, 2008 at 07:06 PM

has anyone heard from anyone of the gilchrist fire department. my husband paul use to be a volunteer up there and all we have are house numbers for them, and if anyone has any information on any of them you may contact me at minordetail@hotmail.com or call me at 432-438-0056


Posted by: Janice Oliver | September 21, 2008 at 09:35 PM

I do not know where Debbie McManus and family went to, but I know they left. Will try to find out where they are for you.

Posted by: Janice Oliver | September 21, 2008 at 09:37 PM

if anyone contacts april rosenthal please have her call us we are very worried about her and rick also sam debbie monica and royce even marty my name is sandra vidrine and my number is 4324380056

Posted by: sandra vidrine | September 21, 2008 at 11:17 PM

Charles & Shirley Senseney and Frank are at Diana's house in High Island. They are all safe. Rhea and family are in Beaumont. The Strimples from what I have been told are in Winnie with Coot. There have been a few asking about Deena Callender...I have no word on her at this time, I have been asking around but no such luck.

Posted by: Laura K. | September 22, 2008 at 08:07 AM

George,
BJ Jewell is fine. She went to Arlington for the storm and is staying with a friend on the mainland. I'll call with more details.
Sherry

Posted by: Sherry | September 22, 2008 at 08:25 AM

SANDRA VIRDINE- i passed it on to my mother- she may have contact for april and those. I am sure they got out safely! I saw the Gilchrist ambulance under water in the bay about 1 mile from where it should have been- Nothing was normal down there! A sad sight to see, indeed.

Posted by: racheal huber | September 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM

Jean golden was brought to a nursing home in austin.

Posted by: lisa | September 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM

Looking for info on:
The Hornbecks-Jimmy, Nan, and Ronnie


Sam Pate
rwmmdj2@bellsouth.net

Posted by: Sherry | September 22, 2008 at 09:50 AM

YOU ARE SO WELCOME JULY'S CELL IS 409-682-5716

Posted by: Kimberly Voigt | September 22, 2008 at 10:25 AM

We have a house located at 1615 Madison in Bolivar. We are trying to get in touch with our neighbors, Bobby and Peggy Bouse. Through the website www.noaa.gov I was able to find post Ike aerial views of our homes. It appears they are still standing. I don't know if Bobby and Peggy were going to Jasper or maybe even to Peggy's brother's around the Dallas area. If anyone knows where they are and how to get in touch with them I would greatly appreciate the info.
THANKS! THANKS! THANKS!

Posted by: Kimi McLaurin | September 22, 2008 at 12:01 PM

Looking for Susan Haworth living in the Crystal Beach bay front area. This is your brother, please contact me at 832-579-8424 or warogre1@yahoo.com. Thank you very much!

Posted by: Stephen Haworth | September 22, 2008 at 01:17 PM

Have received good news about Jean & Alton Cripps and family. They are all safe. Still no news about Ronnie Hornbeck or his brother Jimmy and his family.

Posted by: Helen Kinchen DuClos | September 22, 2008 at 03:02 PM

God bless you for this site. Does anyone have a phone number for John and Vicki Tucker (who are safe in Santa Fe)? Also, does anyone know about Shirley and Chester DuBois from Crystal Beach? Or the Indian couple who owned BayView?
Patricia West Hays and Conan West in Dallas

214-341-6561
pwesthays@sbcglobal.net.

We are keeping all of you in our prayers. We have been coming there since the 1940's. My parents lost a house in Gilchrist, then built the one in Emerald II. We knew the house might go someday, but we never, ever thought we'd lose a whole community. Our love to all of you out there.

Posted by: Darugh | September 22, 2008 at 06:20 PM

Here is the link to the Red Cross "disaster safe" page. You can list yourself as safe or post information on loved ones that you are looking for.

Link to Red Cross "disaster safe page"

I hope it helps someone reconnect with those they are looking for.

Posted by: Shawn | September 22, 2008 at 06:49 PM

Anyone knowing how to contact any of our High Island students--we will start school on Monday, October 13! GO CARDINALS!

Posted by: Janice Oliver | September 22, 2008 at 09:07 PM

SHERRY-- thank u so much. we love the people volunteer firefighters and ambulance people and would love to know that they r well and just talk to them so any info would be greatly appreciated

Posted by: sandra vidrine | September 22, 2008 at 10:58 PM

I am thinking about all of you on Bolivar,
I worked at Bolivar Water for 10 years
and have been worried about what has happened.
If there is anything I can do to help just
call. I talked to Janet and she is doing well,
I pray for all of you.

Posted by: Lynda Hodges | September 23, 2008 at 06:12 AM

I spoke with O. Mike Kirkpatrick yesterday.

HE IS OK.

Thank You, to everyone, for getting the word out.

You are all in my prayers.

-Bryan

Posted by: B. Elliott | September 23, 2008 at 08:27 AM

Just wondering about the information on High Island ISD. If you read this Ms. Oliver, please reply, since I know that you are tied in with the school. Alan is really hoping that the school is going to open.

Posted by: Laura K. | September 23, 2008 at 09:33 AM

This is David Altemus in Crystal Beach. Hope everyone faired the hurricane. My family is fine, our home has some damage but is still standing. The construction Unlimited crew is all safe. If anyone needs anything please call me at 409-739-7732 or Jeff at 409-739-6619.

Posted by: David Altemus | September 23, 2008 at 09:49 AM

Laurel Hendricks is OK!!!

Posted by: Christina Johnson | September 23, 2008 at 10:19 AM

Laura K--I tried to call your mom yesterday but got no answer. School will start on Monday, October 13. We will have a school year!

Love, Miss O

Posted by: Janice Oliver | September 23, 2008 at 11:38 AM

Janice---Mom and Dad have been going back and forth, and Alan is with me right now. My email address is BHMom101@aol.com...email me and I will send you their cell numbers along with mine as well. Thanks for the information...Alan is really glad.

Posted by: Laura K. | September 23, 2008 at 03:47 PM

Laura Lea spoke with Jimmy Hornbeck and Ronnie is with them. They are all fine. They are at his daughter's house in League City.

Posted by: Shelley & Laura Lea | September 23, 2008 at 05:55 PM

To Burna Dean:
Cliff & Becky Boudlouck are fine and somewhere in San Antonio, I think is what Sharon Becker said. Laura Lea & Stevie are with her daughter in Missouri City. Sharon Becker is with her son in Houston and Norma Lee C. is with her daughter in Houston.

Posted by: Shelley & Laura Lea | September 23, 2008 at 06:06 PM

Looking for Sylvia and Joe Comeaux. Sylvia give me a call 409-466-2315. Looks like we got that beach front property we talked about. :(

Posted by: Annetta Alphonso | September 23, 2008 at 10:40 PM

Looking for Ralph and Marta Myers from Crystal Beach, does anyone know where they are located?
thanks and God Bless

Posted by: SHERRY | September 24, 2008 at 01:13 AM

Looking for Pete Merrich from Crystal Beach. If anyboby knows his whereabouts or contact info, please contact Shannon Everitt at seeveritt@yahoo.com or call 281-432-9717.Pete flounder fished almost everyday in the fall at Rollover Pass as did I and we became friends but I am not positive about the spelling of the last name. Thanks for any info you might have.

Posted by: Shannon Everitt | September 24, 2008 at 09:13 AM

Looking for any information about Frances Griffin on the corner of Avenue E and Gulf Shores.

Also, does anyone know any information about the crew at Tiki Bar and Restaurant ? Were they able to get out?

Please email me with any information at HNiscavits@rohmhaas.com

Posted by: Hank Niscavits | September 24, 2008 at 10:25 AM

We had a house on Shady Lane next to Copacabana subdivision. We are wondering about the neighbors two doors to the east, B.E and Billie Wharton at 3012 Copaacabana Drive.

We were down Thursday the 11th boarding up and they were still there and they had just put in a generator?

If anyone knows anything please e-mail taylorm5@swbell.net.

Posted by: Mike Taylor | September 24, 2008 at 11:20 AM

Has anyone heard from Jack and Kathy Morse, they lived at 142 Bud in Crystal Beach. I haven't seen Jack in years but still concerned if him and Kathy are okay. Thanks in advance

Posted by: Linda in Mesquite | September 24, 2008 at 11:21 AM

Looking for Jim & Judy Choate from Gilchrist. Both our homes are gone, but I found something in the debris that belongs to them.
Colleen and Chuck

Posted by: Colleen | September 24, 2008 at 11:25 AM

We are looking for Jerry and Pat Mathis. They live on Crystal Beach and we think that Pat owns a liquor stores there. We talked to Jerry Thursday before the storm. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Email is stephlarrytudor@yahoo.com or my cell is 713-289-4658.

Larry and Stephanie

Posted by: Larry and Stephanie Tudor | September 24, 2008 at 11:33 AM

Has anyone heard from Tommy Comeaux?

Posted by: Beth | September 24, 2008 at 11:41 AM

Looking to see if anyone has heard from Ramiro Tovar and his family? He owned Ram T Construction.

If anyone knows anything please e-mail taylorm5@swbell.net.

Posted by: Mike Taylor | September 24, 2008 at 12:05 PM

Has anyone heard form Tommy Comeaux or Malcolm? Also have you heard from Todd Kahla and family? Todd drove the ferry boat.

Posted by: Michele | September 24, 2008 at 01:41 PM

Beth Rankin is fine. I saw the inquiry about her and called her cell. She is in Dallas at a FEMA hotel. Says she will be coming back.

Posted by: Rebecca Gantert | September 24, 2008 at 02:29 PM

Has anyone hear from Charlie and Ferrylyn Arnold. They live in Port Bolivar and had a small shrimping business. Ferrylyn is employed by American National Insurance in Galveston.

We have been dear friends for over 20 years. We would just like to know that they are okay.

Please send me an email at hallbj@bp.com or call me at 281-366-6708.

Our thoughts and prayer are will all of you.

Alfred & Brendalyn Hall
Sealy, Texas
281-366-6708 (work); 281-687-1244 (cell); 979-885-2495 (home)

Posted by: Alfred & Brendalyn Hall | September 24, 2008 at 02:30 PM

There is a website with 1400 actual photos taking of Bolivar on the 18th. madnonnie.com Look for Crystal Beach Photos

Posted by: Rebecca Gantert | September 24, 2008 at 02:33 PM

Johnny & Vickie Tucker - please call me. I have been worried sick about you and so glad you both are ok. (409) 945-9957

Posted by: Sharon Cornett | September 24, 2008 at 03:21 PM

Does anyone know if Bob from Bobs Sports Bar on Crystal Beach made it out o.k., and where they are at, and also his wife Colleen? Please call Donald at 832-640-9840

Posted by: donald smith | September 24, 2008 at 04:21 PM

I am looking for Anne Dean from yucca st in Bolivar.
Please her to call Marion

Posted by: Jane Filaroska | September 24, 2008 at 04:29 PM

Joe and I are concerned about all we knew on the pennisula,your in our prayers.. Has anyone heard from Bill & Marion Davis on Kahla St.?

Posted by: Janice Jackson | September 24, 2008 at 05:57 PM

Looking for Bob (Buster) and Lynn Helfrich of 706 Salt Cedar Ln. On Point Bolivar.

for link to KHOU blog click here