The Highlands Rotary Club heard a rundown on emergency preparations from one of the leading departments during the Hurricane Ike storm, and subsequent flooding and rescues.
Constable Ken Jones of Precinct 3 had prepared for the storm, by stationing his deputies at safe locations, such as the Wallisville courthouse, Hollywood constables office, Crosby High School, and a bunker at Champion Paper Company off old US 90.
Jones also prepared for this type of emergency by having table top training sessions with his staff twice a year, planning for such emergencies.
As IKE approached, he put his deputies on 12 hour shifts, and deployed them. From the day before the storm, Sept. 12, through Sept. 27, the department answered a total of 2,979 calls for service, Jones said.
Some were routine, such as traffic stops and burglar alarms, but some were dramatic, such as the rescue on Saturday, Sept. 13 of a woman with 3 children, in Castillian, with her roof blown away and high water stranding her. Deputy Ronnie Lee made the rescue, when others could not get there.
Jones and his deputies also worked during this period at various PODs, helping distribute ice, water, and food. These were at Wallisville, Baytown, Highlands, Crosby HS, Crosby Comm. Baptist Church, Northeast Houston, Freeport Rd., and C. E. King Stadiuim.
A total of 49 deputies were available through the height of the storm, patrolling and answering calls. This included 2 deputies on the water rescue boat, and 2 deputies on the high water deuce and 1/2 truck.