Bolivar Residents Want In; Officials Want Everyone Out

Residents from Bolivar Peninsula say they're tired of waiting to get to their property.

The peninsula has been cut off from public access since hurricane Ike last week.

Today, the residents were allowed as far as high island but that's not enough for many.

Residents from all across Bolivar Peninsula say they can get across Bolivar to their homes and businesses, and they're ready.

"We need to get in and get the wet out," says a resident.

While hundreds are worried about the condition of their homes, officials are worried about the condition of their people.

"By land of by water, it's all treacherous. The debris field is huge," say David Loop, the Chief of the Crystal Beach Volunteer Fire Department.

Debris covers the peninsula, and stretches across the canal. Houses that were once on piers, are now in the streets. And sand that stood at the shore line, is now more than a foot deep on the highway.

But all of the destruction won't stop these residents.

"I don't think it's fair to let people in when they won't let us go to High Island to get our trucks," says Tim Byrom, who has equipment parked in High Island, and lost a home on Bolivar.

"We realize and understand that looking at the debris and devastation from here into High Island, it's going to be long time till we get it back up," says Terry Harris who is a High Island resident.

But getting businesses back up and running is not coming soon.

Eight hundred buildings left across a bridge that's impassible to these homeowners.

"I understand not letting us in, these things take time and I think everyone will rebuild and be back eventually, it'll take a while," says Linda Blackwell, who lost a house on Crystal Beach.

Time it will take to get past High Island and the road blocks on the way, time to restore their community.

"Cause we'll be back strong and hard. You'd better believe that. Right now we're just asking for a few steps to get us back in there and get out lives back in order," says Harris.

Tomorrow, the residents might be allowed as far as Gilchrist.

In the meantime, the Texas Department of Transportation and the National Guard are working on a temporary bridge for public use.

Officials say the High Island school district is trying to begin classes in three to four weeks.