Federal officials say most retailers in a South Texas town decimated by Hurricane Harvey have reopened as tourism authorities seek to woo visitors back to Port Aransas.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency statement Tuesday said Port Aransas continues to recover from the August 2017 hurricane.
Port Aransas, about 200 miles southwest of Houston, received more than $22 million from FEMA after Harvey. Much of the money was spent to clear debris, install temporary buildings and keep public institutions running. State funds also helped.
Many projects, however, are still in the works, like renovations to the McDonald Ballfield Complex and the Volunteer Fire Department facility on East Avenue C.
"My son plays baseball, so that has a major impact on our family," said Kimberly Shaw, who lives in Port Aransas and runs Island Motor Bikes with her husband. "For the Fire Department … it's still sad to see that it's torn and kind of damaged. I know seeing that [repaired] will really improve how we feel about things."
Jeffrey Hentz, with the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Bureau, says 90% of restaurants and retailers have reopened, but only 60% of the lodging has reopened.
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Images of Recovery After Hurricane Harvey in Texas
"This city's comeback has been phenomenal," Hentz said. "We are open. Come visit us."
Officials estimate about 35,000 people in April attended Texas SandFest, a sand sculpture competition in Port Aransas.
