Storm effects Port of Houston & Galveston Port Closed

After receiving clearance from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port of Houston has opened on a limited basis.
Pending restoration of electrical power, most facilities were to resume operations Thursday and all port employees have been asked to return to work.
The Houston Ship Channel has been opened with restrictions, while a review is under way to identify the amount of federal funds required to restore the waterway to its full depth and width.
Based on preliminary estimates, damages to Texas and Louisiana Gulf ports as a result of Hurricane Ike and other storms so far this year is expected to exceed $1 billion.
Meanwhile, the situation at the Port of Galveston is far worse due to the massive damage from Ike’s storm surge that washed across the north side of the island and smashed through oil rig repair facilities on Pelican Island. Facilities and pier inspections are expected to be completed by Sept. 19 while port staff try to provide limited access for tenants and customers.
At this point, the earliest target date for resumption of limited cargo operations in Galveston is Sept. 21. Port officials are in the process of trying to set up temporary offices on the mainland.