Wayne Dolcefino (the reporter who confronted Gov Perry about restricted media access to parts of Galveston/Bolivar Peninsula post-Ike) was eventually able to tour Bolivar.
In which he writes:
Some of what's left of Bolivar has now blown north into Chambers County.
"We're out, starting today, we're out looking for victims and I know we will find some," said Chambers County Judge Jimmy Silva.
Grim task begins in BolivarWednesday, September 17, 2008 | 11:15 PM
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=weather/hurricane&id=6393943I've been reading the accounts of residents in the KHOU forums for a couple days, but mostly of those getting the most attention in the media reports.
I decided to check if there were any Chambers County discussions in the KHOU forums to see if there was any confirmation of what Dolcefino was suggesting and was startled to read this--- it's from the Chambers County's Website:
http://www.co.chambers.tx.us/
We just today were able to get email access going. I will try to send out these Daily Situation
Reports every day.
First of all, Ike was pretty much an equal opportunity disaster. In other words, destruction
happened from one end of the county to the other. What we do see, is much more
destruction in the lower lying areas like Oak Island and Smith Point, . For certain, Oak Island
is the community which we have seen the most extensive damage, and by that I mean the
entire community was almost completely destroyed. Most of the houses are completely gone
and by that I mean they actually are not THERE.
Right now, the state focus is still search and rescue. Three persons were found alive
yesterday that washed ashore into Chambers County from Galveston Co (Bolivar, Crystal
Beach, etc.). Today, 3 more persons were found alive. This is incredible. We have spoken to
them and they have amazing stories. However, there are also some who were not so
fortunate. So, just so you will understand, the state is trying to save as many lives as they
can right now, before it is too late. When they complete that, they will shift into full-blown
recovery
.
http://www.co.chambers.tx.us/eoc.pdf(bold emphasis mine)
Here's the forum post:
http://www.khou.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=28682More discussion confirming washed up debris from Bolivar and Galveston:
Along the bay front properties several miles down the road from hospital and Ollie Cove toward Oak Island the surge inundated some homes and barns. THe damage to their homes and property is extensive because of all the DEBRIS from Bolivar and Galveston that washed across the bay and is now sitting on these bay front properties. THey will be needing great assistance to clean up and keep health hazards from these people???? THere are dead cows, pigs, propane bottles, family belongings and many live snakes along with all of the wood debris etc. on these families property stacked 3 ft high in some 20 yard plus swaths all across the bay front. The surge probably was 20 as someone said Jimmy stated.
The ends of the new strong piers along here are gone and many older ones completely destroyed. The clean up needs are huge!!!!!
http://www.khou.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23604&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30Edit to add-- this account of washed ashore survivors was written on Monday.