Here's the latest Ike-related news we could dig up — if you know something we missed, please drop us a comment.
- Electricity: More than 1.2 million of CenterPoint Energy's customers still didn't have power as of last night; the company is keeping to its basic timeline, indicating that many customers won't get power until next week
- Evacuations and water: KHOU has a list of updates on who may return where and who has to boil drinking water
- Transportation: Metro will continue operating at nearly full force today, with Park and Ride buses running on a normal schedule in the freeway main lanes because HOV lanes still aren't open; as for MetroRail, it's nearly ready to roll, but not quite
- Internet access: If you're looking for free wi-fi/Internet access, here's a list of places that have it
- Repairs: If you have questions about whether to begin long-term repairs on any property damage you sustained during Ike, the answer is no — you should wait until an insurance adjuster has checked out the damage, the Texas Insurance Department advises
- According to a risk management firm, Ike caused between $7 billion and $12 billion in insured losses, an estimate based on wind speed, tide reports and on-site assessments
- One of those unexpected (and most unpleasant) results of a hurricane: More than 100 pumps in Houston's sewer system have no power, meaning several neighborhoods are having problems with sewage backup
- A house fire in the Heights yesterday may have started when power was restored, prompting a reminder that this is a good time to inspect your home's wiring
- Lots of people received a text message Thursday saying $500 FEMA vouchers were available at the George R. Brown Convention Center — but it turns out the message was a hoax
- Was a CenterPoint crew working in Cypress pulled to help rich folks in River Oaks and Bellaire? Some folks in Cypress think so, though CenterPoint says nothing out of the ordinary happened
- NASA's Johnson Space Center is scheduled to reopen Monday, though flight control for the space station will resume from Houston today
- Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas: 'The city of Galveston is not in ruins. We will rebuild stronger, smarter than ever before'
- Galveston won't be reinstating the look and leave program, but will allow contractors into the city to begin cleaning up property
- But, by being patient, Galvestonians are making it possible to return sooner rather than later, Thomas says
- A variety of pets found on Galveston Island arrived at the Houston SPCA yesterday; now, the process of reuniting them with their owners begins
- Two of Galveston's historic hotels, the Galvez and Tremont House, sustained minimal damage in the hurricane and hope to reopen next month
- Galvestonian Cindy Cronister to would-be looters: 'I have absolutely no hesitation blowing your ass away'
- In case you've wondered if there are any jerks out there who are playing the system and stocking up on MREs they don't need, the answer is yes — take Deer Park's Jacki Steinhauer, for example
- On Bolivar Peninsula, authorities began searching for victims of the hurricane Thursday
- Meet Jack Williamson, a Bolivar resident whose home was totally destroyed during Ike — and who's having a lot of trouble getting in touch with FEMA
- For those who stayed on Bolivar during the storm, last Friday was a long and scary day
- Gov. Rick Perry surveyed hurricane damage in Brazoria County yesterday, urging evacuees from the area to stay away for now
- In rural areas, people are setting piles of hurricane debris on fire, which isn't such a good idea because it's creating huge clouds of thick smoke
- More than 22,000 evacuees remain in shelters across Texas, though nearly 15,000 others have already returned home
- Across the area, neighbors are helping each other weather the post-Ike recovery — but can that spirit last?
- Amid the destruction, some local farms could be out of commission for at least a year
- Houston-based Continental Airlines estimates Ike will have a $50 million impact on its business
- Based on the most recent data, 49 of 3,800 offshore drilling platforms were damaged by the storm
- National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read: Ike's track was very similar to that of the 1900 hurricane
- Looking for something to do if the lights are still out? The Chronicle has some ideas
- This weekend's weather: In a nutshell, it's going to get warmer, though the rain chances forecasted Thursday seem to have vanished. Expect a high of 85 today, 86 tomorrow and 87 Sunday, with lows in the mid 60s every night. The good news: There'll be lots of sunshine, so those who have recently adopted solar power should be all set.



Clearly Ms. Jacki hasn't lived on MREs for a month. Lemme tell you, honey. You don't want any part of the Cheese Omelette MRE. But, the Beef Ravioli does rock more than Chef Boyardee.
The comments on KHOU's website are priceless. Priceless, I tell you.
"At around 1300 calories per meal, maybe she's trying to bulk up before school starts back."
"Looking at her my space picture, she probably doesn't need to bulk up. She looks like she ready to hibernate for winter."
"I am in shock that someone could be so freaking boring yet so freaking corrupt..."
"'...palate of ice, a palate of water, and a palate of food.' I hope she isn't a spelling teacher."
"Actually, she's a ninth grade English teacher. Oh, the irony."
...you know, I should probably add that I was referring to the Jacki Steinhauer story. :P