Near Complete Destruction: Bolivar Is No Longer A Peninsula, Officials Expect High Body Count

Wading through the aftermath of Hurricane Ike coverage, this is one of those stories that, when you read the first two paragraphs, you just lean back in your chair and think, “this is unbelievable:”

What was Bolivar Peninsula is now three separate islands, and most homes there were destroyed.

“It’s no longer Bolivar Peninsula,” state Rep. Craig Eiland of Galveston said. “It’s an island times three. The roads are cut, and the bridges are out. Residents won’t be back anytime soon.”

If you’re wondering exactly what that means and why it is such a big deal, think back to sixth grade geography class. This is the definition of a peninsula:

A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered on three sides by water, but is still attached to the mainland.

And, hopefully you all know what an island is: a body of land bordered on all sides by water. Bolivar has gone from one strip of land to three islands. Granted, part of that is the result of flooding, but you just have to wonder how long that will stay or, that’s a new permanent change to the map of Texas.

And, that’s not the worst news, sadly:

No bodies have been found, but officials said the situation was grim. “I’m not Pollyanna,” County Judge Jim Yarbrough said. “I think we’ll find some. We certainly expect to find some.”

Yarbrough said emergency crews were on the ground. He urged the remaining 300 residents to leave on emergency boats and helicopters.

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