Abandoned Homes a Hurricane Hazard

HOUSTON - Another hurricane could make hazards out of hundreds of abandoned properties in Galveston County.

Some residents are wondering what will happy to the empty homes if another hurricane hits. In Kemah, there are three types of homes. Those being built, those just repaired and those that are overgrown, unsafe and abandoned.

Area builder, Blu Shields, explains, "People are still fighting with their insurance company, but the majority of people did not have insurance."

Ike caused damage to about 20,000 homes in Galveston County. With a new hurricane season here, the still empty homes are defenseless from the wind and water without an owner to take care of them. "Certainly it's a top priority for the city," said Bill Kerber, Kemah city administrator.

The city council met Monday night to talk about demolishing six properties in Kemah before the next big storm. "You'd have the problem of their house becoming missiles or debris that may cause damage to other structures that have been rebuilt," said Kerber.

The nation's housing crisis could magnify the problem of abandoned homes. RealtyTrac, which follows foreclosures, lists more than 50 bank owned homes in Kemah and more than 1,000 in Galveston.

"All over the country everything has been reduced in property value," said Shields. Residents are counting on their depressed property values rising once Kemah is rebuilt stronger and safer.


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