Top > Business > 2005 > September > 2005-09-27

Houston Businesses Open Doors

Just days after Hurricane Rita veered east, sparing Houston severe damage, life is slowly getting back to normal. Airports and businesses reopened and authorities implemented a re-entry plan, bringing back thousands of evacuees from shelters. Several businesses remained closed Sunday, but those who could find enough employees to open their doors did just that.

The city?s two main airports, George Bush Intercontinental and the smaller William P. Hobby, reopened Sunday morning. Houston-based Continental Airlines was operating 249 flights out of the city, with plans to restore its smaller Continental Express and Continental Connection branches on Monday.

Houston`s main power provider, CenterPoint Energy, reported 300,000 customers without electricity Sunday, down from 600,000 a day earlier. More gas stations continue to open as well. Houston Mayor Bill White is urging essential employees to return to work in the city, specifically people who work at grocery stores and gas stations. ?There is some fuel available in tankers, but they can?t deliver it if you?re not there,? he says.