The latest: The mayor of Galveston, Texas, is asking Washington lawmakers for more than $2 billion in federal aid for her city devastated by Hurricane Ike.
City officials say Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas will meet with a Senate subcommittee today to seek the $2.3 billion for the city, ports and hospital damaged by the storm more than a week ago. But officials haven't tallied up the total figure needed to repair and rebuild.
Other requests: In addition, the Wharves Commission will request $500 million, and the big hospital on the island, the University of Texas Medical Branch, will request $600 million.
Plans announced for residents: Galveston officials also said that when residents are allowed to return Wednesday, those whose homes are uninhabitable can live temporarily in shelters set up on the mainland.
A shuttle service will take residents to their homes on Galveston Island during the day so they can make repairs and clean up.
Energy woes: About one-third of the customers in the Houston area remained without electricity Monday. Entergy Texas, which serves much of Southeast Texas, said it expected to have electric service restored to its hardest-hit areas by Sunday -- a week sooner than previously forecasted.
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