Galveston Daily News reports residents of the island can come check on their property TODAY from noon to 6pm.

http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=59d954a6e08978b1

I sure hope they allow it tomorrow too because we're 5 hours away and would be pushing it to check things out today before curfew.

Anyone hearing any word about tomorrow?

B - You know you have a place to stay in Richardson if you need it.

I just talked to the City Emergency Management (409 765 3725) people, they said that the Mayor has not announced anything. Until she does announce it, don't believe it. Press Conference at noon.

Apparently traffic is already backing up in anticipation.

(from chron.com)
The Texas Department of Transportation said today that relief workers were having trouble entering Galveston because Interstate 45 was blocked by residents trying to return home.

"Our resources are not able to get through," said TxDOT spokeswoman Raquelle Lewis. "We have National Guard sitting in traffic, we have our crews sitting in traffic, we have FEMA resources sitting in traffic."

Shortly before noon, the line of cars stretched two miles north from a checkpoint at Texas 519 in La Marque, where non-essential traffic was being diverted, Lewis said.

The flood apparently was prompted when Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas made an exception to the ban on entering Galveston, she said. Those who can prove residency may make a "look and leave" visit to the island from noon to 6 p.m. to inspect damage to their homes, but must leave afterward, Lewis said.

She said police were attempting to open a lane for emergency vehicles and relief workers.

"People were trying to get there yesterday, but not in these numbers," Lewis said. "It's just not time yet," she said

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hurricane/6004648.html

Yikes. What a mess.

Think my apartment lease will suffice? I have a cable bill as well.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=40171b4e9ba6e360

Turning into a horrible idea.

Not a horrible idea. People need to be able to go in and grab essential items and check on their homes. Just because there was traffic doesn't make it a bad idea.

The check points are being inundated and they are just letting people through. No way to get the people off the island. Just more looting, need for food and water.

They should have given people notice tonight to start first thing tomorrow morning. If it takes a few hours to get on the island, at least that gives people a few hours to look. Telling people this morning is very poorly done.

They are now saying that it will end. Increased reports of looting are already corresponding to let people on the island.

good intentions, but HORRIBLE idea.

this island is run by the biggest group of idiots i have ever seen.

it's like there was no planning (before the hurricane, during, after) just randomly today they decide to start this, with no plan for an approved emergency lane and first responder lane and no grouping (maybe go 30 blocks by day)

i can't believe how poorly run this has been. they are making new orleans look like the best run city.

Now more people wasting gas......Should have come up with a better plan

Agreed. Its doesn't take much to think of simple control measures. what was going through their heads when they just up and announce a free-for-all??????

As much as people want to go look there really is no point at his time. The city still needs the 20,000 there to leave bringing in more will only make things worse.