By George Slaughter
The Katy Independent School District continues to play a role in the community’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Harvey.
The district has opened two schools as shelters: Cinco Ranch High School, 23440 Cinco Ranch Blvd., and Morton Ranch High School, 21000 Franz Road. The school shelters have a 9 p.m. curfew and have been serving hot meals, Maria DiPetta, KISD media relations manager, said.
Unlike some other shelters, pets are being allowed, she said. However, people are asked to make sure that the pets are registered, bring pet food, and if the pets can be brought in a crate or kennel, so much the better.
“We do have a place for them and we are allowing people to bring their pets,” DiPetta said.
A volunteer at Cinco Ranch High School, who asked not to be identified, said that “overwhelming was insufficient” to describe the response.
“What we’re telling people is, hold your donation, and watch social media,” he said. “Your donations are going to be needed because this is a long-term event. They’re lining up at Cinco Ranch and they’re still coming. Nobody’s turning away the donations. Hold them, and stay tuned to social media.”
A volunteer at Morton Ranch High School, who also asked not to be identified, said that school was accepting evacuees but was stocked on supplies and food. She said those interested in volunteering or donating are urged to call later in the week as circumstances change.
The Cinco Ranch High School telephone number is 281-237-7000. The Morton Ranch High School telephone number is 281-237-7800.
Not all schools are being opened for use as shelters. DiPetta said that the schools were “OK” but in some cases sustained minor damage. Many of these schools, however, are located in neighborhoods that now present dangerous driving conditions.
Some schools, such as Katy High School, 6331 Highway Blvd., is going being used as a staging area for the Texas National Guard.
The district’s new Legacy Stadium, 5175 Franz Road, is being used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for transportation management services.
DiPetta said that the district’s Education Support Complex, 6301 S. Stadium Lane, has sustained some water damage.
The district has also enabled the use of its school buses to help transport people to shelters, be they at the high schools or elsewhere. For Fort Bend County residents, contact the Fort Bend County Emergency Operations Center at 281-342-6185 or visit its web site at http://fbcoem.org/.