Hurricane Ike was expected to at least leave the Texas Rio Grande Valley with some moisture. But the hurricane's fury was entirely directed to the east and north on the Texas coastline, John McClung, president of the Texas Produce Association in Mission, TX, indicated early Sept. 15.

"There was no adversity in the produce growing area" of Texas, he said, adding that after Ike cleared Texas Sept. 13, a cold front came into south Texas and left some rain.

As to the distribution side of Texas' produce industry, Mr. McClung said that "there is very little going on" in Houston, but "Galveston is a real mess." He added that Houston has a nighttime curfew until Sept. 20.

Juan David Alarcon, chief executive officer of Turbana Corp., based in Coral Gables, FL, said that his firm's port operation in Freeport, TX, lost power during the hurricane but that was restored by the afternoon of Sept. 14. Mr. Alarcon expected to receive more information from Freeport later on Sept. 15, but he said that Turbana's Freeport employees were going to work Monday morning.

Houston wholesaler Chef's Produce Co. had a telephone recording for customers on the morning of Sept. 15 indicating there was no power, so they were not to expect any Monday deliveries.

On Sept. 14, the website of The Port of Houston Authority posted this 5:15 p.m. note: "The Port of Houston Authority is in an asset recovery mode. Based on preliminary assessments, the PHA facilities have limited negative impact from Hurricane Ike. As is most of the Houston area, PHA is without electricity and is operating with limited temporary power from generators. PHA operations will not be open to receive trucks for dropoffs or delivery on Monday, Sept. 15 due to loss of electricity. PHA is working with CenterPoint Energy to establish power as soon as possible."

This website will post additional information as it becomes available.