GALVESTON, Texas -- Galveston residents returned to the island city Wednesday for the first time since Hurricane Ike roared through nearly two weeks ago, and many found heartbreak, KPRC Local 2 reported.

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Video:Galvestonians Return To See Damage: Phil Archer Reports
Video:Galveston Residents Return As Soon As Checkpoint Open: Mary Benton Reports

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Thousands of vehicles poured into the island when the checkpoint was opened shortly before 6 a.m. Traffic on the Gulf Freeway was backed up about eight miles to Texas City.

"It took about an hour to get 15 miles," one resident said.

Some residents brought in U-Hauls and trailers filled with supplies, food and items they took when they evacuated.

Dozens of law enforcement officers were out in force to manage traffic. Traffic signals on the island do not work and many turn lanes have been blocked off to help prevent gridlock.

"I want to get to my own house," resident Anthony Carrasco said. "I've been there 52 years and I've seen it (Galveston) fall down and get back up."

Ruben Rosas, 74, had evacuated to San Antonio and joined the line on Interstate 45 at about 3 a.m. Once he made his way to his first-floor apartment located on a bayou, he found the walls and nearly all his possessions were no longer there. He did find a large cross that had been on his father's coffin and a small "King of Dads" statue his kids gave him when they were young.

"This is just sad, but the good thing is, I'm still around," Rosas said. "I can recuperate these things sooner or later."

Officials estimated that 75 percent of the businesses and homes on the island are not fit for habitation. City leaders want residents to be prepared to look and leave, and not expect to stay right away.

"When you come back it's not going to be the same Galveston Island you left," Galveston Mayor Pro Tem Danny Weber said Tuesday. "It's been damaged. It's been broken."

Some residents got home to find out they don't have much left.

Joy Bray has lived behind the protection of Galveston's seawall for 38 years. In all that time, her house never flooded during a storm.

She came back to find her home's interior filled with seaweed and stinking debris -- a total loss.

"Do you have flood insurance?" KPRC Local 2 reporter Phil Archer asked.

"No," Bray said. " I thought I had windstorm and hurricane, and I thought that would do it cause I don't flood. I found out a little bit different."

The Gallinda family had trouble getting into their home because floodwaters caused the wood in the doorway to swell. Once inside, they discovered that water had filled their home during the storm and mold was growing everywhere.

"It's very sad coming back, seeing your home," Margarita Gallinda said. "It's very, very hard."

"We're going to start cleaning up the best we can and just get it together," David Gallinda said. "Wouldn't wish it upon anybody."

Residents who live behind the seawall and east of 103rd Street and Cove View Lane are allowed to stay for good. Residents who do not live behind the seawall and west of 103rd Street and Cove View Lane must leave their homes by time the city's curfew starts at 8 p.m.

The residents who cannot live in their homes or who are forced out by the curfew likely will have a hard time finding a place to stay. Few hotels are open on the island and Houston's hotels are 98 percent booked.

Some Galveston residents trying to find a hotel said they haven't been able to find a room when looking as far as San Antonio and Austin.

The city opened a shelter at the Island Community Center, but it can only hold about 100 people. The city is working to establish other shelters off the island for residents.

"The island is really not in a capacity to hold many people right now," City Manager Steve LeBlanc said. "Many of the facilities that would otherwise be available have sustained damage. I'm going to estimate it's going to be a month or thereabouts before we have a substantial number of folks with power and gas."

Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas lifted city's emergency declaration on Wednesday and the full city council is back in power. City Council extended the declaration of disaster for a year.

In Galveston, approximately 30 percent of the city has electricity. But residents cannot turn on electric or natural gas meters until they have been inspected.

Water service is almost restored, but city water is still not fit to drink.

Only the most rudimentary medical services are available and the few hotel rooms available are filled.

Galveston residents were asked to bring their own food, water and gas if they expect to stay because those items are in short supply.

City officials recommended that residents who have not had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years get one.

The city's curfew was reduced by two hours and is in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice. Curfew violators will be subject to a $2,000 fine.

More Information:

City of Galveston Web Site
Galveston Re-Entry Information

Check Traffic Now:

• Houston TranStar Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Pulse Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Section


• Houston Transtar


• Texas Dept. of Transportation Web site or call 800-452-9292


• Harris County Office of Emergency Management Web site

Check Construction Information:

Map: Freeway Construction Projects
TxDOT Freeway Construction Schedule