Mennonite Disaster Service

Anahuac, Texas

Disaster Description
Anahuac is located at the northeast corner of the Trinity Bay in Chambers County, Texas, 45 miles east of Houston. Anahuac is the county seat for Chambers County and has a population of just over 2,000.

Hurricane Ike struck Galveston September 13, 2008 and continued north into the Galveston and Trinity Bays before making landfall just west of Anahuac. By some estimates Ike was the third most costly storm in US history. Its huge size caused massive flooding from Galveston eastward affecting almost the whole Louisiana coastline. Galveston and other coastal areas were devastated. Anahuac had large numbers of fallen trees and damaged roofs, and the nearby town of Oak Island, situated on the bay, was largely destroyed.

MDS Response

Mennonite Disaster Service has not worked in this specific area before, although several early response teams assisted with clean-up in the county immediately after the storm. The Anahuac project's focus is on repairing roofs and completing other minor repairs to prevent further damage from winter rains. As of March 2008 over 40 roofs have been replaced. All volunteers are housed in the First United Methodist Church in Anahuac. MDS is partnered with the Chambers County Long Term Recovery Committee and the United Way.

Photo Gallery

Gathering-of-the-tools

Getting the tools ready to go for the day.

MDS-camp-in-Anahuac

The MDS camp in Anahuac.

Volunteers-in-Anahuac-3

Volunteers in Anahuac remove the damaged roof.

Volunteers-in-Anahuac-2

Volunteers put shingles on the new roof.

Anahuac -Texas-095

Putting on the shingles.

singing-job-reports-2

MDS volunteers sing the daily report.

new-shingles-for-Mr.-Roy

Volunteers put a new roof on Mr. Roy's house.

singing-job-reports-1

Volunteers sing the daily job report.

Working-on-Ms.-Danita s-hou

This group will finish Ms. Danita's roof.

03-13-09-team

Volunteers in Anahuac, Texas finish shingling the roof for Anita.

03-13-09-removing-old

Removing the old, damaged roof.

03-13-09-workers

Volunteers from Hesston College shingle the roof.

new-photos-005

Removing the damaged shingles.

Project Reports

Weekly Report for Anahuac

January 23, 2009

First United Methodist Church of Anahuac is “home ” for the MDS staff, volunteers, tools, and trucks. The church family has been gracious in providing fellowship, friendship, and desserts for evening meals. On Sunday during the...

Category: Anhuac, TX

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