AP: Texas

09/25/2005

Associated Press

Relatives of Hurricane Rita victims who were evacuated from hospitals and nursing homes can use a toll-free line to locate them, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Callers can receive the name and location of the facility their relative was taken to if it is listed in the state health services directory. However, the health status of the patient won't be provided.

When calling, callers need the name, date of birth and sex of the patient, agency officials.

The toll-free line is 877-623-6274. In Austin, callers should dial 512-458-7189.

___

On the Net:

Texas Department of State Health Services: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us

___

AUSTIN — Hospital medical workers who evacuated from Texas counties devastated by Hurricane Rita were urged to return to work.

The Texas Department of State Health Services made the request for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, allied health professionals and support staff who left Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Chambers and Montgomery counties.

Officials were still asking the public not to return immediately to areas hit by the hurricane.

___

HOUSTON (AP) — Shell Oil Co. and Motiva Enterprises LLC said Sunday that their North Houston and Pasadena distribution terminals were open to provide fuel for service stations in the Houston area, where widespread shortages occurred as residents fled Hurricane Rita.

The companies said the North Houston terminal reopened Saturday and had expected to supply at least 30 tankers or about 270,000 gallons of gasoline to area Shell stations.

The Pasadena terminal opened Saturday night, the companies said.

The companies said they would give priority to supplying fuel to locations used by emergency vehicles and those on main routes for residents returning to evacuated areas, including Interstate 45, Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 290.