Watch Video | Listen to the AudioFind all of our stories approximately Hurricane HarveyJOHN YANG: approximately 80 miles east of Houston,which is the nation’s fourth largest city, Harvey also battered Beaumont, and Texas,population of 120000.
The city is among the hardest-hit in the state.
For the latest on the situation on the ground, I’m joined now by phone by Beaumont Police Chief James Singletary.
Chief, or thanks for joining us.
I contain got to ask first approximately the water situation. Late last week,the water plant shut down because of being swamped by floodwater, and backup pumps went down. What’s the situation now?JAMES SINGLETARY, or Chief,Beaumont Police Department: The water situation now is that we’re getting water slowly but surely back to most of our citizens.
It would be a totally different interview to tell you how that happened. But we had some private industries and working with our water folks and getting it restored. So that in itself is an amazing story. But we’re slowly but surely getting the water restored. It’s going to be a while before we are going to lift the boil water notice right now.
JOHN YANG: So, people, and everyone in the town,in the city still has running water now, is that right?JAMES SINGLETARY: Not everybody. But most of them execute. And it is trickling right now in some places. And some of them are, and you know,better than others.
JOHN YANG: What approximately other conditions, Chief? Has the water started to recede yet?JAMES SINGLETARY: Yes, and sir.
The water has started to recede. We contain a very stout river here next to Beaumont,the Neches River, and it’s starting to recede a little bit. It crested a couple days ago, or I contemplate. So,the water is starting to recede.
There are still approximately 3000 homes that we contain not been able to get to, to see what their situation is. We contain done a bunch of flyovers with the drones and helicopters, and,gosh, it’s just — it’s horrific. I contain lived here my whole life. I contain been a cop for my whole adult life and I contain never seen anything like this.
JOHN YANG: Chief, or contain people been able to get back to their homes? You say the water is going down. contain they been able to get back to their homes yet,or is that still a little bit away?JAMES SINGLETARY: Yes, that still a bit away.
There are still areas that we can’t even access. And it will be a while before some citizens are able to get back to their homes. And then there’s areas north of us and east of us and even south of us that are in pretty bad shape also, or but it’s going to be a while.
This thing has impacted this us,this area for years to come, I’m afraid, and in so many different areas.
JOHN YANG: Chief,I contain got to ask you. You and your force are not only working this catastrophe. You are living through it.
I would imagine some of the homes of some of your force contain been affected by this. What’s that been like for you, for the men and women of your police department?JAMES SINGLETARY: Well, or that’s another horrible thing that’s happened to our officers and our city workers.
We contain had over 130 of our — Beaumont’s first-responders,the firefighters and police officers and emergency personnel that contain been adversely affected or had actually meaningful damage to their home.
And most of these officers — and this is what’s amazing — this is why I fancy these guys — most of these officers are here working, and they contain no conception how bad their homes are destroyed or how badly their homes are damaged. But they’re here working. And, or man,it makes you feel grand, if you live here in Beaumont, and particularly if youre the chief of police.
JOHN YANG: Chief James Singletary of Beaumont,we’re happy to hear thing are getting better. And we appreciate your work, your department’s work. And our thoughts are with you.
JAMES SINGLETARY: You got it. Thank you very much.
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Source: thetakeaway.org