Coping with catastrophy

Hurricane Alex Leaves its Mark

In late July, the first actual hurricane of the 2010 season came across the western Gulf and made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane below Brownsville, Texas. Like Ike before it, however, the effects of Alex reached far beyond the point of impact. High tides and coastal flooding were experienced all along the Texas coast, and heavy seas suspended the oil skimming activities off the coast of Louisiana. Rain produced by Alex was intense over most of the state of Texas. Near my home in Brazoria County, over 12 inches fell in two days. The annual Freeport Fishin’ Fiesta was held in the week leading up to the 4th of July, but offshore participation was very limited due to rough seas.
Coastal residents anywhere are probably more attuned to bad weather than the average citizen who lives well inshore, but the Gulf states have been hurt badly in recent years by hurricanes, and the predictions of 2010 being an active storm season should have residents on alert, prepared, and careful.
August finds us hoping the skimmers can get the job done after the well is capped or killed.

Texas-Adopt-A-Beach program seeks volunteers

Plan ahead. On Saturday, September 25, the Texas General Land Office will conduct its annual beach cleanup at 28 sites along the 700 miles of the state’s beaches. This is a volunteer effort, get a group together and find out about participating at texasadoptabeach.org, or call 800-892-6278.

Louisiana Yacht Clubs deal with oil spill

Some sailing and fishing events, including several Gulf Racing Association events for the ladies, have been cancelled or postponed because of the oil lurking just offshore and booms across passes and creeks that will keep some vessels from being able to get out. However, the major clubs in the New Orleans area conduct most business on Lake Ponchartrain, which has recently seen the first bit of oil from the spill. Its races not affected by the oil, Southern Yacht Club has a busy summer schedule of sailing events, plus “Twilight” racing each Friday beginning with a club buffet at 5:30 p.m. Not sure if the racers will be fleeing from vampires or chasing them, but a bowl of gumbo with lots of garlic will help either way. The Ponchartrain Yacht Club will host Coast Guard Auxiliary boating and safety classes once a month through the end of 2010.

New Texas State Record Swordfish?
What should be certified soon as a new state record broadbill swordfish was caught by the father-son team of Les and Tim Thompson of Houston, fishing 70 miles offshore from Freeport in 1,400 feet of water on the last weekend in May. The fish was weighed on certified scales at Surfside Marina at 340 pounds, and was 138 –1/2 inches long, with a girth of 53 inches. This will top the previous record for Texas swords of 326 pounds caught in 2009 by Shayne Babich, also fishing out of Freeport. The Thompsons, who have caught several other “keeper” swords, were fishing on Les’s 26 foot Regulator center console, powered by twin Mercury 4-stroke outboards. Their big sword took a squid bait fished 300 feet deep under a chemical light stick, and was finally subdued using a 50-pound class Shimano Tiagra reel. With back-to-back state records coming from this area, perhaps Freeport will steal some swordfish glory away from Florida?

Oil Info portal

A new federal Web site—RestoreTheGulf.gov—posts information and resources related to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil mess. It will replace the Deepwaterhorizonresponse.com site set up by the Unified Area Command. Similarly, it features news, data and operational updates about efforts to stop the BP oil leak and mitigate its impact—unifying web resources and increasing public access to the latest information. The site notes the claims and appeals process as well as other types of assistance available for individuals, businesses and communities who have been affected. It will also contain plans for the long-term economic and environmental restoration in the Gulf Coast. Users can find volunteer opportunities, how to submit a suggestion and how to report concerns about oiled shoreline or wildlife—and a comprehensive list of all hotline numbers. Floridians interested in volunteering to help with the clean up effort are urged to visit volunteerfloridadisaster.org.