As Snarkfood readers know, we have continued to report on what the mainstream media has not- what happened to, and where are the missing of Hurricane Ike? We began following Ike before he plowed into Galveston Island and much of coastal Texas. At the same time that we were reporting ON Galveston, documentary filmmaker and photojournalist Lan Lamphere of Oklahomaexpeditions.com was IN Galveston. Lan and his team went down to film, and they fully intended to document all they could about Ike and his fury. Lan’s an amazingly talented guy, and produces the “Storm Chasers” series you can see on oklahomaexpeditions.com . Lan survived some close calls in shooting and reporting on Ike, including the collapse of the ceiling of his hotel room. The footage Lan shot, viewable on his site, is remarkable.

Lan’s team expected to stay for at least 4 days, documenting the aftermath of the storm, and bringing the story back to the rest of America. That was before a total media blackout was declared by Texas officials, a no-fly zone was imposed upon the entire area, and journalists were told they must leave Galveston immediately. And that’s when we decided we were not letting this story go.

Lan and Snarkfood’s Erin Dunlap were on the same page and the same path at the same time. The media blackout was unprecedented, and only served to increase our resolve to find out the truth about Ike and his victims. Frankly, something stinks on the coast of Texas. There are a tremendous amount of people missing, and an even larger amount of people trying to find them. Folks trying to find family members, co-workers, friends, the owners of their favorite businesses…all being thwarted by our government and the mainstream media’s refusal to acknowledge the magnitude of the disaster. Both Lan and Erin have had many of these people reach out to them for help in finding their loved ones.

Yesterday, 3 weeks after Ike hit, was the FIRST day that officials began searching for bodies with dogs. The mainstream media reported THIS story after weeks of nothing new on the issue. Where in the hell have they been?

So yesterday, Lan and Erin discussed the missing of Hurricane Ike on a special edition of Lan’s show. Lan’s account of his experiences during the hurricane is astounding. We have it for you here as a podcast that you can listen to, download and share with those you know. We really ask that you help us keep the missing from being forgotten. As we’ve said here before, this is not a regional story, it is an American story- and one that deserves to be kept alive until the truth is found.
Listen to, download and share the podcast of Oklahoma Expeditions’ Lan Lamphere and Snarkfood’s Erin Dunlap here: lan-lamphere-erin-dunlap-podcast

10/05/08: First Organized Body Search On Bolivar Peninsula: 7 Men, 1 Dog, 80 Square Miles To Cover

10/05/08: The stories of some who died…and some who are still missing.

Searchers and dog teams will begin looking for victims in the Hurricane Ike storm debris in Galveston and Chambers County, for the FIRST organized search and recovery. Why this is just NOW being done is very puzzling. Click here for video on the search.

The search will begin in Galveston today, and then move to Chambers County over the weekend. Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia has been asking for help from the governor’s office since DAY ONE. He says he’s confused by the delay, and that some of the missing from Galveston Island may have been blown across Galveston Bay into Chambers County.

“I don’t have a clue why it is taking so long. You know, it really should be Galveston County pushing because those are Galveston County folks that would be up here in my county.”

State Representative Craig Eiland says the delay is something that will have to be investigated. There are quite a FEW things that need to be investigated about Hurricane Ike. With over 400 people missing- and probably a lot more, the official death toll in Texas still only numbers in the 30′s. Lan Lamphere, photojournalist and witness to Ike’s fury, interviewed Tracy Turner who is desperately trying to find her sister and two nephews. She hasn’t had contact with them since Hurricane Gustav. Tracy posted here as well, trying to do anything and everything she can to find her family members. Snarkfood is frustrated…families are frantic. It is HIGH time we got some answers.

Currently, there are at least 400 people still missing, according to local Houston media. This is an approximate number, as there are so many different places that families are looking, registering and posting their names…that it’s difficult to get an accurate count. From what Snarkfood has been able to determine, 400 is probably a conservative number.

The residents of Galveston were allowed to come back to the island last week; the residents whose homes were behind the seawall were allowed to stay, those whose homes (or what was left of their homes) were on the hardest-hit West end of the island, must go away every night, and return during the day. Many, many people have had to throw EVERYTHING away from their homes. Every single solitary thing.
Here’s a video from a resident who returned to Galveston last week:

Even though this story has been squashed by “Hurricane Wall Street”, it is very much alive for the many, many thousands of people Ike has hurt. The Red Cross is a great place to help, either by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or by visiting their website www.redcross.org.
Snarkfood has a post here that has advice on what to do for victims, including how to deal with FEMA, and, how to help for those of us blessed enough to be able to. These are our American brothers and sisters. Many people were unable to evacuate, another part of the story that is not being told. Before you pass judgment on them, take the time to read some of our coverage:
“Coast Guard Flyover Of Galveston Island”
“Conditions Deteriorate For Ike Survivors: Celebs Could Help”
“Hurricane Ike: If You Are Missing, Please Raise Your Hand”
“Hurricane Ike: The Missing Have Names; Ike Missing From The Mainstream Media”
It may open your eyes.

UPDATE: 9/28/08 Over 400 people are still missing from the Texas Coast nearly two weeks after the storm devastated much of the area. The mainstream media has forgotten them. Their families, desperate, have not. Here’s an update video.

Snarkfood promised to continue to follow the story- and today we are listing the names of the people we’ve been able to determine are missing. These names come directly from those who are desperately searching for them. It is by NO means a complete list.

The mainstream media’s refusal to even report a ballpark number of those who are missing is shameful, and high-visibility (celebrity) attention to the problem is ZERO. In defense of the celebrities, they, along with the rest of America are not being told the story.
So we will. Here are the names of some of our American brothers and sisters who’ve been missing since Hurricane Ike hit.
The following have been listed as missing or otherwise unaccounted for by their family members on the ABC 13 (Houston area) Hurricane Ike Missing Persons Locater, and the KHOU forums. Screw the media blackout.

Watch the video. Read the list. Give if you can. www.redcross.org

MISSING:
Bolivar Peninsula
Including Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, Caplen, Gilchrist, High Island

Alex (no last name given)
Allen, Charles
Amo (Flores?)
Anderson, Bobby (survived, but friend perished)
Arrambide, Marrion
Bagwell, Blaine and mother Ginger
Baker, Rachel
Ball, Danny
Ball, Kristian
Beasley, James
Billy the Kid (across from Sharkey’s)
Bingham, Harry
Bingham, Susan
Brad (no last name given)
Branstetter, Kent
Brookshire, Delores Rose
Bugler, Harry
Bugler, Susan
Butterfield, L.C.
Butterfield, Sandy
Byrum, Barbara
Byrum, Gardner
Callender, Deena
Campbell, Michael
Cannon, Colin
Cannon, Michelle
Carol (Crystal Canals Bait Camp)
Carol (Tuna St.)
Carr, Frank
Carrington, Lee
Cecil and Tommy (High Island)
Chapman, Larry
Chapman, Suzy
Cheryl (the nurse)
Cloud, Michael
Cook, Lee: 10/3/08: Lee and Sandy contacted us today at Snarkfood, and want to let everyone know they evacuated from Crystal Beach, and are okay and safe. Great news!
Cook, Sandy
Cottrell, Shirley
Cranford, Kim
Cranford, Treton
Dean, Anne
Donaldson, Mary
Droege, Carolyn
Droege, Dick
Dud (at Decoux’s)
Dunn, Glennis
Ettenger, Gail: Sadly, Gail Ettenger was found deceased.
Felty, Veronica
Fisher, Walter
Floyd (Garza’s Grocery)
Garrett, Charles Allen
Gatlin, Chris
Gatlin, Karen
Glen (Red): deceased- pre- Hurricane Ike
Gloria (Cottage by the Sea)
Grebb, Robert
Grissom, Richard
Grissom, Stephanie
Haigh, Jack
Hamilton, Earl
Hamilton, Shirley
Hardcastle, Lynnette
Harris, Terry
Haworth, Susan
Hayes, Cheryl
Hayes, Richard
Hill, George
Hill, Martin
Holmes, Don
Howard, Greb
Howard, John
Howard, Lois
Jock, Jessica and family
Johnson, Lynette
Johnson, Sue
Jones, Daisy
Jones, Dewy
Jones, Jack
Kahla, Mary and family
Kelly, Linda
Kelly, Richard
King, Darryl
King, Robert
King, Sandy
Knight, Beverly and husband
Kreuzer Family
Lavalle, Ellie
Ledhe, Don
Lee, Judy
Lee, Robert and Gail and Gina
Lisa (18th and Galveston)
Lopez, Jim
Manley, Jerry
Marchese, Carol
Marcia (message therapist)
Martin, Buster
Martinez, Cindy
Maxwell, Edith
McGready, Jean
McGready, Tom
McKnight, JC
McKnight, Lori
McManus, Barbara
McManus, James
Micak Family
Mobley, Zenith
Moore, Steve and family
Moseley, Herman- 10/3/08: Sadly, Gilchrist resident Herman “PeeWee” Thomas Mosley was found deceased today in the waters off the Bolivar Peninsula.
Mouton, Darby
Mouton, Sis
Myers, Marta
Myers, Ralph
Neis, Adam
Nguyen, Father (St. Theresa’s)
Ochoa, Phil
Pilsner, E.A. and family
Pond, James
Rankin, Beth
Reed, Bill
Reedy, Bill
Reedy, Jeannie
Rodriguez Family
Rodriguez, Greg
Ron and wife Dorothy (Melody Lane)
Rush, Harly
Rush, Kathy
Russell, Gene
Scherry
Schley, Barbara
Schley, Claud
Schmidt, Dee
Schmidt, Matt
Segura Family
Shaw, Barry
Shaw, Feather
Shinker, Andy
Shook, Jerry
Silcox, Andie
Skidmore, Ellen
Smith, Beth
Steppe, Francine
Steve (friend of David Pickett)
Stines, Kahla and family and friends
Stockton, David
Stockton, Patty
Strahan, Alecia
Strickland, Magdelena
Tiki Man Kevin
Tom and Daniela (no last name given)
Tomberlin, Gary
Tovar, Mario and family
Tovar, Omar
Turner, Karon
Turner, Willis
Vance, Paul
Vidrine, Carol and family
Vidrine, PJ and family
Vrana, Ray
Walker, Greg: 10/5/08- Sadly, Port Neches resident Greg Walker was found deceased by Texas Equusearch volunteers.
Walker, Phyllis
Walker, Sandra
Walker, Sonny
Walton, Sandie
Wanda (Crystal Canal RV Park)
Ward, Terri and family
Werner, Donna and Lauren
White, Billy
Will (on Yuca)
Williams, Bruce
Williams, Carol
Williams, Shane: Sadly, Shane Williams is deceased
Wisenbaker, Mikey and family
Wisenbaker, Mycol and

Galveston County / Galveston Island
MISSING:

Allen, A.J.
Allen, Betty
Allen, Carolyn
Allen, Jackie
Allen, Regina
Allmond, Donna
Banks, Leon Jr.
Bartram, Gracie
Bartram, Kevin
Bartram, Peggy
Berryman, Thelma- She lived at 40th & Ave R in Galveston
Beynice, Rosalyn
Boyd, Keith and family
Bradley, Bobby
Brock, Margo
Brown, Maine
Brown, Nana
Brown, Russel
Brown, Trixie
Bustamante, Richard and family
Campos, Lalo
Campos, Rita
Carrera, Juan
Chambers, Doreece
Chapman, Danielle (Dani) and sons Joel and Addison- Sea Isle, house had Texas flag painted on garage
Coker, Sonya
Cole, Natalie and daughters
Collindrina, Penny
Cowan, Paula
Cox, Harold
Crabb, Sammie
DaPra, Johnny
Doyle, Patrick
Dubious, Chester
Dubious, Shirley
Ferguson, Mae Joyce
Ferguson, Wendell
Ficklen, Bill
Ficklen, Crystal
Ficklen, Delaine
Ficklen, Gail
Ficklen, James
Ficklen, Kim
Ficklen, Linda
Ficklen, Maverick
Ficklen, Willie
Gallagher, Joe
Grace (aunt of Lynn Robinson)
Graham, Ward
Hannon, Matt
Heinrich, Paul and family
Holmes, Agnes
Horn, Francis
Howlett, Bruce
Howlett, Tammy
Jamison, Ed
Johnson, Nell
Kuehne, Ashley
Lane, Jack
Lane, Tonka
Manago, Shawna and kids
Marsh, Jessica
Marsh, Steve
Melasome, Willie Mae
Moore, Ray Jr.
Nebout, Jim
Nebout, Phyllis
Nolan, Jim
Pembleton, Greg
Pollard, Earl
Pope, Dwayne
Powell, Marie
Rasmussen, A.J.
Ruiz, Ernan and children
Russo, Candy
Salazar, Jesus
Salmassi, Alex
Schultz, Susan (not her, but her aunt)
Shaffer, Richard
Smythe, Ed
Smythe, Marlo
Stewart, Thelma and friends Tina and Peanut
Swindell, Henry
Swindell, Robbie
Thomas, Kenneth (deceased)
Thomas, William
Toale, Tim
Trapani, Eddie
Trapani, Ray
Webber, Brigette
Webber, Tommy
Webster Family
Weedman, Joe
Wilson, George
Woodard, Marie
York, Robert
Zeon, Denise
Zeon, Zae

Chambers County
MISSING:
Cormier, Cecil
Cormier, Sam
Fleischman, Joyce
Fleischman, Morris
Hacker, Annette
Hacker, Chad
Scrivner, Earl
Scrivner, Judy

9/18/08: The Missing- From The Austin American-Statesman: Some of Ike’s Victims May Have Just Washed Away; Systems To List Missing Are Chaotic

9/16/08: Very important update: A reporter and his wife who formerly lived in Tyler were on Galveston Island during Ike. The media blackout is trying to be enforced by the mayor and other city officials, but rescue workers are telling people that the death count is far more than is being reported. They are going door to door, but are leaving bodies inside of structures for now, so they can focus on rescuing those who survived. Unlike Katrina, they aren’t spray-painting “X” on the houses where the dead are. Instead they are putting discreet stickers on the structures, making them harder to see by the already handcuffed media.
Click here to read the story in the Tyler Paper.

9/16/08: Bolivar No Longer A Peninsula But Is 3 Islands. Martial Law to be implemented next week.

Frank Billingsley Narrates Aerial Coverage Of Galveston’s West End

It’s time for celebrities to step up with other Americans and help the victims of Hurricane Ike, like they did for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The people need help, and charities desperately need funds. We’ve not heard of any benefits being organized. Hopefully that will change, and change quickly. Celebs have proven their abilities to quickly assist in raising funds for good causes- most recently the very successful “Stand Up For Cancer” that so many generously helped with.

Residents Now Refugees

Rescuers flew to areas of the coast previously unreachable because of destruction wrought by Hurricane Ike. 37,000+ people are now in shelters across Texas, and conditions are going from bad to worse for those housed in Houston, especially at the George R. Brown Convention center. Cots are in short supply. Food and ice are in short supply. Because so much of Houston is without power, it’s become extremely challenging to care for the people who now are basically refugees. And there will be more refugees.

Link to Snarkfood’s post with video, pictures, links and updates on the Ike aftermath

Galveston officials are attempting to evacuate the survivors who are still on the island. An estimated 20,000 people stayed in Galveston through the storm. It is not known how many perished. Some feel that authorities are keeping information on victims close to the vest. In some forums, people speaking off the record say that many bodies have been found in the afflicted areas. Of course, this is impossible to verify at this time. Officials are greatly restricting the media, with fairly good success. Galveston’s city manager says officials are “limiting the information released to the media”. The press has been asked to move to the Hilton so they are NOT with officials.

In Galveston, they are cutting off the gas, because of the risk of fire. There is no power, no running water, very little food. The Mayor of Galveston said to residents: “You cannot live in Galveston at this time.” Galveston is apparently bringing in a cruise ship to help house those who have lost it all, and have nowhere to go. Galveston is a small part of the total area of destruction. Much of the coast has been flattened, and rescuers are just now reaching parts of it. The area of devastation is as wide as Ike was, and Ike is looking more and more like Katrina.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt did great work in New Orleans, and continue humanitarian help around the world, but let’s face it. They have their hands full. Now would be a great time for other celebrities to step up and flex some muscle. There’s no need to wait for a huge body count.

Galveston’s West End Devastated- CNN IReport

Live 24/7 Coverage From 4 Houston TV Stations

1-800-RED-CROSS, or www.redcross.org

*CLICK HERE FOR WHAT TO DO, AND HOW TO HELP: FOR IKE’S VICTIMS AND THE PEOPLE WHO CARE*