Galveston Island is still rebuilding after Hurricane Ike. Most everyone with any connection with Galveston Texas knew that the rebuilding process would take years to achieve, because of the massive destruction Hurricane Ike caused. One major hospital has closed, low income neighborhoods have vanished and are not being rebuilt, over 70 percent of the Islands homes and commercial buildings were damaged or destroyed and about 30 percent of the Islands low income families have not returned to Galveston. With all these issues one would think Galveston is in major trouble. Well actually Galveston businesses and residents are pleasantly surprised at the quick rate that Galveston is being rebuilt. There is still a long way to go for Galveston to get back to it's pre Ike conditions, but everyday the Island looks better and better. When you drive around Galveston you will be amazed at what has been already accomplished and you won't be concentrating so much on what still needs to be done.
Part of the surprising progress that Galveston Island has experienced is because of the many different types of projects that have been completed and are still ongoing in Galveston. The Galveston Bay clean up that started in January 2009 and was completed in September 2019 was a huge success. The Galveston bays are actually cleaner now than before Ike made landfall in September 2008. The land clean is probably going to consume the most amount of time, but it is almost completed in most areas. The beaches in front of the seawall are undergoing a huge restoration project and should be completed by the end of April 2010. Fishing in the bays is still excellent and boaters are returning to the water. Business owners are seeing an increase in business and the hotels are starting to get booked again. The overall rebuilding progress has been better than expected in most areas.
With all this good news you would think residents and business owners would be satisfied and joyful. Well even though great progress is being made there still are some major concerns. Galveston Island depends so much on tourism and the tourist are needed every spring break and every summer to support it's economy. Tourist are returning to the Island, but at a slow rate. The biggest concern according to mayor Lyda Ann Thomas is that people around the nation have forgotten about the devastation that Ike caused. Galveston is still waiting for tens of millions of dollars in reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and assistance from the state and federal government has been a very slow process. Without all or some of these resources one can only do so much.
It is an ongoing process no doubt for Galveston Island, with both positives and negatives. The Island is still rebuilding, recovering and starting over in many areas and it will take some time for residents and business owners to feel comfortable again. At least there is hope with restaurants and bars reopening, some tourist returning, a successful Mardi Gras and a busy spring break. The two major cruise line are still bringing in tourist at a good rate and all these factors should help dramatically in the whole recovering process for Galveston. Galveston Island was almost taken off the map in the early 1900's with a hurricane that took over 6000 lives and literally flattened the city. My guess is Galveston Island will continue to make progress and in short time will be close to it's pre Ike status. Galveston Island Texas is a beautiful place to visit and has many attractions, so consider it when you are planning your next vaction.
Capt. Alan www.galveston-fishing.com www.galvestonbayfishingteam.com