Residents, producers still clearing ‘evidence’

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Not only were stands of timber damaged, but producers and residents face considerable cleanup work. Reports are cleanup for just one tree starts at $500. In pastures, such as this one in Tyler County (deep East Texas), valuable grazing is lost because it is covered by the damaged tree’s branches. -- Staff photo by Montgomery

Dec. 1, 2005 - It has been two months since Hurricane Rita rushed into the southeastern portion of the state, and everywhere there is still evidence of her wrath. 

In the aftermath of the hurricane, many residents were left without electricity. In Tyler County today, there are still some without electricity. According to officials from the Texas Forestry Service, the south end of Tyler County was the hardest hit in the area. 

Trees are lying in pastures, on homes, in ditches; and the question being asked is, “What to do with all of the trees?”

Many residents are simply burning them, but some areas are under burning bans, so that option is not available. 

The dry conditions initiating the burning bans also helped, in some ways. “We were lucky, we were so dry,” stated one producer. The dry conditions enabled logging trucks and electrical utility vehicles to get into those areas not traveled. 

The cost for tree removal is astronomical, with some paying as little as $500 a tree, whereas others are paying up to $10,000 per tree, according to a variety of producers in the area.

�Need firewood?� is a question posed by many. �We got all you need. Come get it.��

One producer, near Colesmneil in Tyler County, said 47 loads of trees had been hauled from their place. “One load had eight trees and weighed over 109,000 pounds.”

A major concern in the area is trees were pulled into the ditches for removal, but removal is slow in coming. 

�What are we going to do when the rains come? Where is the water going to go?� has been asked.

So far, an answer has not come, according to officials.

Rita’s high winds not only damaged timber, and residents’ trees, but was responsible for other damage. Jack Bauer of Winnie said his barns were hard hit. “Some are gone. Some laid down,” Bauer said. He estimates the damages at about $50,000. 

Bauer is not only a cow/calf operator, but a rice farmer. He said the crop was a complete loss. “The second crop was at the flowering stage (which means the crop didn’t pollinate) so the crop was lost. I turned the cows in,” he explained. 

The stories of despair along the southeastern corner of Texas continues two months later. Those who suffered damage realize winter is coming and are uncertain of what to do and who to turn to. Answers have not been forth coming from federal and state agencies, many feel, but they say life in the Big Thicket will continue. “It is going to take a long time to clean up this mess,” concluded one producer.