Virginia Lee of the Texas Glass Association (TGA) sent the following information regarding the situation in Texas, post-Rita, and how members of the TGA have been immediately affected:

The Texas Glass Association board meeting for this Saturday, October 1, has been cancelled.

Rita has struck with disastrous devastation in East Texas. TGA President Vickie Stewart was housing about 20 people who sought shelter, including two 80-year-olds. She believes there are cities that are in total destruction. She and her group are safe, but out of gas and have no power.

Driving nine hours to Huntsville, Texas, (normally a 1 1/2 hour drive) she was able to get a generator to keep her household running.

There is widespread destruction in the Golden Triangle of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange and areas to the north.
Currently, officials are keeping the area evacuated.

Bob Lawrence of Craftsman Fabricated Glass of Houston is working on a relief project, but his delivery truck is not yet allowed in and he is working to define a new plan to get to our fellow glass industry members some help.

The TGA is asking for any glass shop in the affected areas to contact the office and let us know how we can be of assistance. We will be calling a conference call to develop a plan on how TGA can be a helping hand in the recovery process. More information will be provided as it becomes available.