Final: Communication Partner Update – Orange County 10/21 Tornado
Orange County Tornado hitting I10, thank goodness this was an abandoned vehicle
Overview:
On the morning of Wednesday, October 27, 2021, a squall line of severe storms traversed through the southeast portion of the Texas Gulf Coast Region. These storms generated straight line winds and tornadoes ranging from EF0 to EF2 with the greatest areas of impact in Orange, Newton and Jefferson Counties. Initial preliminary damage assessment reports indicated around 100 homes impacted with varying levels of damage.
Damage to home and 5th wheel Orange County Tornado
Response Phase:
Initial Red Cross response came from the American Red Cross of Southeast and Deep East Texas who opened a Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) at the Cowboy Church in Orange (TX) to offer respite and identify unmet needs of the impacted community members.
Later that night a shelter was opened at The Orange Church of God Embassy. Shelter needs were met primarily by friends and family and over the next few days the shelter was put on standby and then closed.
Red Cross efforts focused at that time on Damage Assessment. Local government also worked with TDEM to set up a self-reporting portal. Initial input came from the National Weather service storm reports, the self-reporting tool, and calls to 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Three Emergency Response Vehicles were mobilized to distribute Tarps and Emergency supplies prior to incoming rain, and search and serve were providing mobile feeding and Snacks. Tarps were provided by Orange County. Roughly 1,000 meals and snacks were served by Red Cross, and Salvation Army also provided meals for two days.
One residence in Harris County, and other damaged dwellings in Jefferson and Newton Counties were served by this Disaster Relief Effort.
Damage Assessment: Initial efforts were impeded by high winds impacting drones. In addition, access was impeded by power restoration vehicles, and debris. We were able to establish areas for doing detailed damage assessment which commenced on Friday 10/29, with most surveys complete by 11/2. Damage assessment personnel carried Tarps, Water, and Snacks for distribution as needed.
Red Cross used Survey 1-2-3 App, and RC View to manage Damage Assessment
These Geographic Information Tools support Situation Awareness and Common Operating Picture
During the response phase there were these cooperating agencies and partners:
- Orange County Office of Emergency Management
- Orange Fire Department
- Southern Baptist disaster relief and Southern Baptist Men (Chainsaw crew)
- Salvation Army (Feeding Thursday 10/28, and Monday 11/1)
- Team Rubicon - Chainsaw and clearing
- Entergy Power crews
A local Red Cross volunteer whose home was impacted by the storm
Recovery Phase:
As of 11/2 Red Cross moved to the recovery phase of the operation. [Sheltering, feeding, and damage assessment winding down, client service becoming the focus]
Working with Orange County Office of Emergency Management as the lead for a Multi-Agency Resource Center scheduled for 11/08. Casework was opened for any clients requiring assistance, in particular any Dwelling that was major damage and destroyed. In addition, Health services was tracking 4 clients in hospital.
Multi Agency Resource Center : MARC
Multi Agency Resource Centers provide a one stop shop for clients to get support from multiple charities & government.
Client Service Station at the MARC
Lead Agency – Orange County Office of Emergency Management:
Client services were provided by:
- American Red Cross
- Church World Services
- Islamic Relief
- Catholic Charities
- Endeavors
- St. Vincent De Paul
- United Way
- Salvation Army
- SETX Food Bank
In addition, Rocky Wilson N5MTX and Gary Craig KI5CCD of Orange County ARES erected External Yagi and Internal antennas and provided technical support for ensuring high speed internet and good cellular communications in the Orange County Expo Center. That building is Hurricane proof and has the reputation of being a “Faraday Cage” isolating external cellular communication from within the building.
Gary KI5CCD with Bi Directional Amplifier (Cell Phone Internal Booster)
And high Speed Cellular Internet Hub and WiFi Access point to support the MARC
Long Term Recovery
This disaster relief effort has now transitioned (11/15) to long term recovery. It will be many months for folks to complete repair and rebuild. Unfortunately some of these dwellings had undergone repair from Hurricane Laura. The follow up for this effort will be managed out of the local chapter American Red Cross of Southeast and Deep East Texas working out of the Orange, TX Red Cross office.
Summary:
Over the course of this effort, we utilized
- 10 Red Cross Vehicles including 3 Emergency Response Vehicles
- Distributed 102 Emergency supplies
- Served on the order of 1000 meals and snacks
- Opened 28 client cases serving on the order of 100 clients.
- Made 35 Disaster Health Contacts
- Utilized 47 trained Red Cross workers
Comments and suggestions welcome.
As always, thank you for being our great partner in Disaster Response since 1935!
Best
Kevin McCoy 713-396-0484
DST/GEN/MN DR 318-22 Orange TX 10/21 FLT
Lead Disaster Services Technology Tactical Winlink TXRCHOU-DST
Digivol / @KF5FUZ TXRCAUS-DST
American Red Cross