It's been a long couple of days but we're heading back now. Our Angleton branch has power and we're working to get it open as soon as today.  Watch this blog or the outdoor sign in front of the branch for when it opens. Lake Jackson, Freeport and Brazoria branches are still mostly without electricity but the city crews are working hard to help us get back up and running.  Our intention is to open these branches on Monday at the latest. We have teams of people assessing the status of each branch and so far we've been very lucky.  Only minor cosmetic damage occurred and we had a couple of small water leaks.  It's Sunday now and we've switched from "preparedness mode" into "recovery mode."  We'll get our doors open to start helping and then we'll work on the cosmetics. Steve's editorial: This is my first major event to go though with this team and I have to tell you the entire TDECU team functioned like a well-choreographed military operation.  Everyone knew where they needed to be an got there.  While I watched from Austin, we had people strategically spread out across South Texas making sure that everything was in place and operating as usual.  Besides closing the physical branches that were in harms way, all other operational areas continued with business as usual. I've been through many emotions since Thursday afternoon when Ike was approaching but the one that stays with me is true appreciation for the dedication that everyone in TDECU demonstrated.  There's even one amazing person - who has a newborn baby - spending 18+ hours per day helping members get what they need.  Now that's impressive! I'll add some videos of the team in a few hours. Stay safe.

Hi all, Steve here again with another update from our branch manager for Texas City and LaPorte branches. Tonie reports: Texas City:

• All power lines down around building
• Flag pole bent in half
• Neighbors fence in back of building all down
• Advised by police not to return to Texas City today

LaPorte:

• Windows and doors blown into the building the branch is in.

This is the latest from the City of Lake Jackson Emergency Management Office:

Lake Jackson experienced hurricane force winds for several hours. Lake Jackson has significant damage to trees and power lines. Many roads are impassable. All power is out to the city. For any updated information please call 979-415-2400. This will be a recorded update. Please be patient because we will only have a handful of people answering the calls. Please understand that immediate re-entry to the city is not possible. We need to get a handle on the damage to the city and when we can expect power may be restored and other essential services back up and running. Everyone please be safe and thank you for your patience and understanding. We are doing our best to protect our community.

We have a new traffic update: I-10 in Sequin heading east is running about 30 miles per hour. There are lots of military and emergency vehicles on the road. If you can, stay where you're at. Try not to travel on I-10 east between San Antonio and Houston.

It's Steve again.  We are now getting some updates from the city and county after they have started assessing the damage. The city of Lake Jackson will not allow citizens re-entry at this time, the earliest date will be Monday, September 15th.  The Lake Jackson streets are fairly impassable; there are downed trees and hot power lines on the roads that are not marked.  This is a dangerous situation, and there is no medical care or emergency services available for citizens.  Power is not expected to be restored until after Tuesday, September 16th at the earliest. There are downed power lines throughout the county that are not marked, as well as trees covering roads.  All Texas-New Mexico power to the county is down.

Hi Everyone, Steve here.  Our first updates are starting to roll in.  So far we can consider ourselves very fortunate. Lake Jackson Branch

• No apparent structural damage to main building or the call center. Can't get in the buildings to determine leaks. Most of the small trees around the call center have been up rooted.
• Brazos Square is fully intact, even the awnings are in place. All windows intact to our facilities.
• A team will be sent in as soon as possible to further assess the possible damage.

Brazoria Branch

• Police won't let us up Hwy 36 due to downed power lines, but they report our building is fine. Will try to get more information later.

Angleton Branch

• No apparent structural damage. Minor shingles blown off drive thru and ceiling tile fell down in one of the drive thru lanes next to main building.
• Can't get in to determine water damage.

Freeport Branch

• No visual report at this time. But all indications are good that the branch did not flood based on the reporters running up and down Brazosport Blvd.

Texas City/LaPorte Branches

• No report at this time.

Houston Branch

• No report at this time.

I will continue to keep everyone updated as more details become available. Also go to http://tdecu.org/locations/BranchStatus.aspx for information on the status of all the branches.  Feel free to post a comment here or submit a blog post to me or Trey (treeme at tdecu dot org). Even though the storm has passed, please continue to keep yourselves and your families safe!