Henry Porretto Weighs in on Storms Irma and Ike in 2008

(Newswire.net — October 9, 2017) Mathis, Texas — Henry Porretto, consultant at the Mathis Police Department in Texas, recalls the destruction and loss suffered by the people of Galveston Island when Hurricane Ike hit in 2008. Bringing high-speed winds and flooding that ravaged residences and businesses, the gigantic storm surge it created flattened homes and buildings. In a recent interview, Galveston City Manager Brian Maxwell said they lost 15% of their population to the Category 2 storm.

Throughout the State of Texas, the damages reportedly reached a staggering $34 billion and claimed dozens of lives. The storm was so vastly destructive that the name “Ike” was retired by the World Meteorological Organization in 2009.

At the time, Henry was Operations Bureau Commander of the Galveston Police Department. He was responsible for assessing the widespread destruction brought about by Hurricane Ike in the area, which was left without clean water and electricity for days. In a presentation of the facts of the situation to the department, Henry highlighted how the storm hammered the area of 4700 seawall and local landmarks such as the Famous Balinese Room.

Alongside his team of officers, Henry oversaw the entire patrol operations of the Hurricane IKE-with a workforce of over 250 officers, putting in place best practices and proven courses of action in disaster recovery planning.

With several Galveston Island residents still reeling from the nine-year-old tragedy, Hurricane Irma’s wrath eyed Texas in September this year. The Category 5 hurricane, however, took a different turn and hammered Florida, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Cuba. The disaster wiped out residences and damaged properties costing nearly $63 billion.

Texas dodging Hurricane Irma in September this year caused residents and officials to heave a sigh of relief—as they have barely recovered from Hurricane Harvey that badly affected huge parts of Houston and other cities with catastrophic rains and flood.

The best place for residents is with family or friends. People supporting each other helps keep valuable assets for the most critical of situations. “Shelters should be avoided if all possible. They are labor intensive,” Henry explained as he led the Hurricane IKE-work force of 250. “Some shelters require more police than actual districts or patrol beats.”

Before his Hurricane Ike disaster recovery team, Henry S. Porretto discussed the several considerations that went into planning. The Galveston Police Department were briefed on key factors for successful recovery operations, including personnel, vehicles, food, lodging, compensation, uniforms, communications, accounting, management, assets, suspects, medical and workers comp, elected officials, the media, the homeless or disabled, re-entry plan, toxic employees, daily shift briefings, disaster efforts terminology, pets, wild animals and rodents, the use of discretion and more. 

“You can expect that in the event of a hurricane, there is wind and rain everywhere causing flood, fire and looting. The people suffer. You gotta take care of them!” Henry emphasized, citing the officers at Galveston Police Department as “the most important asset” in ensuring that recovery efforts happen.