I live in Beaumont and had a friend try to get back home but she was turned away at I-10 exits. She said there is DPS troops at each exit turning people away. I am wondering if anyone has heard from anyone currently living in Beaumont, as I am interested in damage to my and my parents houses. From all I have seen the area I live in, older area with alot of old Oak Trees, was heavily damaged with quite a few houses now having trees inside. Currently I am in Dallas, but I thinking about trying to get back home Tuesday. My sister who is also up here is a nurse and was told she would be allowed back in, but I am not sure if they will take her to a shelter or let us go to our houses. Any info?
I haven't been back, but I am going back tomorrow. I live outside Beaumont and probably won't get into the city. I know a few people who have seen some of the damage. email me at chkemp at ev1 dot net, and let me know what area of town and I'll let you know if I know anything about that area. CK
I got in yesterday. If you keep going north on 69 (like you're going to Lumberton), there comes a point where the police have the road blocked and they force you off the road (it's the exit past Tram Rd.). You make a U-Turn under the freeway and then turn right on the first street. Take a left on the first street after that (Old Voth I believe) and follow that. Then eventually make your way back to the access road on the freeway (you can't stay it originally because it runs out). Then take a right off the access road (road is called Lawrence, I believe) and it dead ends into Major. Turn left and you're at the intersection of Major and 105 and you can basically get anywhere in Beaumont from there. The trick is getting off the freeway... but eventually they force you to, and once you can, if you can manuever your way around the access roads, you can get into the city and they don't try and stop you at that point. If you don't live in the West End, though, I'm not sure. I did see a few houses and neighborhoods... for the most part, the houses themselves held up very well. As I said in another thread, we didn't lose any windows or even any shingles off the roof. The front door was blown in but that was the only damage. Trees were just hit and miss. We had two blocking our street... but we also had two in our yard and both held up fine. A lot depends on their age I believe. If you have any more questions or need anything, email me at bend2121@yahoo.com.
